Yo. I was in the same position as you were a month ago. I had a smallish (5.7in) phone from 2019, which I loved for the compact size and the headphone jack. I was planning on keeping it forever, but the company ended software updates for it around 2 years back and it does not allow for bootloader unlock. I was really planning to continue to use it, but eventually my value of privacy overcame my value for compact phones with headphone jacks, so I bought a used Pixel. The truth is, you get used to the large screen pretty quick. Wish I could have kept the old phone, but sometimes you just gotta make a tradeoff.
this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2025
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Privacy
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i was in the same predicament with my asus Zenfone. they quietly removed the unlock tool from their website while i owned the phone :/
I'm currently on a Sony Xperia with unlocked bootloader and I'm shopping around for an os
Those were both my picks for a phone after mine started getting old. I started looking to buy the zenfone during the whole OEM unlock predicament, and it wasn't available in my region, so I didn't go for it. I then also discovered the Sony xperia 5 v, but it was out of my budget (although it's definetly my dream phone.) RIP my galaxy s10e, best small phone out there fr 🕊️
Yeah... Zenfones were nice. Sad that ASUS didn't put more effort into this product line.
Much appreciated.
I got the smallest I found, supposedly the bootloader is unlockable, the problem is that no alternative OS builds for it... Asus zenphone has been good quality so far. Although I heard that more recent version had things locked... Not sure.
Zenfone 11 and 12 are Gigantic in size.
8,9,10 Are small but not unlockable, also I think even ZF10 is reaching that 2 year software support too.
Nope.
Sure looks like it.
Your best bet is pixel 8 or 9 base model. Supports grapheneos.
I hate big phones too. Pixel 8 is small enough to use one handed if you have a ring on the back of the case. Fingerprint scanner is absolutely ABYSMAL tho. Really, utterly terrible.
I have no idea about any smaller phones.
Is the phone size a problem because it is hard to hold? If so, maybe try one of those things that you stick on the back of your phone as a handle (pop-socket?)
Pixel 7a is the absolute biggest I can semi-comfortably type one-handed on. I can't imagine why bigger ones are more popular - don't people ever use their phone while on a bus and holding onto a handle?? I guess you could use a "one-handed mode" on the keyboard, but I never use it because it makes the keys waaay too small.
I do agree that smartphone have gotten too large to be reasonably comfortable.
It’s ergonomics, yes. I like to use the phone one handed. With a big screen you have to adjust (scoot up and down) all the time, leading to falls (of the phone) and fatigue on the hand.
I’m concerned the pop socket would make it harder to stick my phone in my jeans. I know it’s retractable, maybe I could give it a go if I didn’t find a small phone.
Same boat as you, I like how Unihertz phones look, but there are only some half-working lineageos images for them.
But it looks like people are working on it https://xdaforums.com/tags/unihertz/
They’re small but damn, are they T H I C C!
Is it an Unihertz in your pocket or are you just excited to see me?