Menu
homeFiles and folders

What is the thinnest phone? The thinnest and lightest smartphones in the world

Back in 2003, the public introduced the S288 phone model from the Fly company, which at that time was the thinnest cellular device on the market. Users highly appreciated this step and willingly acquired this device. This promising niche was also supported by other key market players, which led to the appearance within a year of models thinner than 1 cm, and much larger.

Developments are constantly taking place in the world of technology, engineers are furiously trying to speed up progress, including by removing extra millimeters. For most users, a smartphone with a thickness of more than 1 cm begins to resemble a “brick”. The race for design has led to new lithium-polymer batteries, the elimination of buttons, miniature printed circuit boards, and the reduction of key components. Therefore, we present a selection of the thinnest smartphones in 2016.

Moto Z

Lenovo has introduced a new model under the Moto Z brand, which is considered the thinnest smartphone at the moment. The thickness of this device is only 5.2 millimeters, but you cannot miss the point about the camera - it is a little convex, but this does not interfere with enjoying the incredible sensations from the device. Plus, Moto Z has a 5-inch display with QHD resolution and is powered by a Snapdragon 820 processor.

The RAM size is 4 GB, the built-in memory is 32 or 64 GB. A few words about the device’s camera : The main camera is 13 megapixels, and the front one is 5 megapixels, providing optimal image quality in the daytime, and a little worse in the evening. The Moto Z battery reaches 2600 mAh and runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. It has a very original and stylish design.

Oppo F1 Plus

The main principle of the Asian company has always been the aggressive design of its devices. Oppo F1 Plus, with a thickness of 6.6 millimeters, is a clear example of this. A few words about the characteristics of the device; it has a 5.5-inch display with Full HD resolution. The device is powered by Helio P10 processor from MediaTek.

The RAM size is 4 GB, and the built-in memory is 64 GB, which can be expanded via microSD cards. The device is equipped with a 13-megapixel main camera and a 16-megapixel front camera. The Oppo F1 Plus battery has a capacity of 2850 mAh.

Samsung Galaxy C5

Another one of the thinnest mobile devices this year is the Samsung Galaxy C5. The device surprises with its thickness – 6.7 millimeters. Samsung Galaxy C5 is equipped with a 5.2-inch display with Full HD resolution, runs on a Snapdragon 617 processor. The device has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded using memory cards.

The 16-megapixel main camera and 8-megapixel front camera work great, taking high-quality pictures, even in bright sunlight. The battery capacity is 2600 mAh, the work is carried out on board Android 6.0.1.

Vivo X6S Plus

This model stands out for its large display and body thickness (6.9 mm). Vivo X6S Plus is equipped with a 5.7-inch screen with Full HD resolution, runs on Snapdragon 652 processor. The size of the electronics RAM is 4 GB, and the built-in memory is 64 GB, which can be expanded using memory cards. There is enough memory to store a large amount of personal information, pictures, videos.

Vivo X6S Plus has two cameras: a main 16 MP and a front 8 MP, which perfectly perform their function, giving pictures of impeccable quality. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh, it can withstand moderate use of the device for several days. The device operates on Android 5.1 OS.

LG X Cam

LG introduced a new device - LG X Cam, which also became one of the thinnest smartphones of 2016. The body thickness of the LG X Cam is 6.9 millimeters, but the camera sticks out a little. The display diagonal is 5.2 inches, has Full HD resolution, and an eight-core processor. The size of 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of built-in memory is enough to load and store all the necessary data. In addition, the memory can be expanded using microSD cards.

The model is equipped with a dual main camera of 13 and 5 megapixels, while the front one is 8 megapixels. The battery capacity is 2520 mAh, it ensures optimal operation of the device for a long time. The device operates on Android 6.0.

Fly Tornado Slim

Back in 2014, Gionee introduced the Elite S5.1 smartphone, which later entered the Guinness Book of Records as the thinnest phone. Its thickness was 5.15 mm. A little later, on the initiative of Fly, a more productive version was produced - Fly Tornado Slim. If you want to become the owner of this model, you will have to work hard to find it on sale, but it is still possible. Its cost in 2016 is about 160 US dollars.

Fly Tornado Slim is equipped with an eight-core MediaTek MT6592 processor, which is famous for its speed. Among the disadvantages, one can note the insufficiently large amount of RAM - only 1 GB. But the built-in storage is enough - 16 GB, there is no possibility of expanding the space. The screen diagonal is 4.8 inches with HD resolution and is supplemented with Gorilla glass.

Such a thin body had a negative impact on the quality of the camera. Tornado Slim has a miniature 8 MP camera. So don't expect good photos from him. The battery capacity is 2050 mAh, which is not bad at all for such a smartphone, if not for one nuance: the eight-core MTK is not particularly economical. But among the advantages you can find the presence of a 3.5 mm jack.

Oppo R5

Another Chinese device has its place on our list - Oppo R5. The thickness of its case reached 4.85 mm, which is slightly smaller than the devices mentioned above. At the beginning of sales, the Oppo R5 price was $500, but now, in 2016, it will be very difficult to find a gadget.

Among the characteristics of Oppo R5 are: eight-core Snapdragon 615 processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage. But it will not be possible to expand it. The resolution of the 5.2-inch screen is 1920x1080 pixels, which guarantees excellent picture quality and well-readable text.

The model is equipped with a good 13 megapixel camera, which will provide good pictures and video recording in FullHD. What can be attributed to the disadvantages is the battery capacity of 2000 mAh. After all, an eight-core processor and a 5.2-inch screen are not enough. In addition, this model does not have the usual 3.5 mm mini-jack jack. Headphones can be connected to the MicroUSB connector.

To be fair, it should be noted that the thickness of the device is relevant only in the main part: where the camera is located, the gadget is thicker. Externally, the difference is 0.5 mm; without a caliper it is impossible to determine it. But in view of all the positive characteristics of the model, this oversight is practically unimportant.

Vivo X5 Max

Due to its thickness, the Vivo X5 Max smartphone also made it into our review. At the start, the cost of the device was about 500 US dollars. It is worth noting that this model remains the thinnest in 2016. The Chinese did their best and placed an eight-core MT6752 chipset in a 3.98 mm case, as well as 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent memory. Comparing the 2016 models, the specifications of the Vivo X5 Max look competitive. The engineers even managed to fit a memory card slot. The only drawback is the protrusion in the camera area, where the thickness of the gadget reaches 4.75 mm.

The 5.5-inch screen of the Vivo X5 Max has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, while demonstrating quite good results - the picture is clear, clearly visible in the dark and under the scorching sun. The 13-megapixel camera is not impressive, but it’s not too disappointing; it’s enough for amateur photos of normal quality.

The battery capacity of 2300 mAh is a little small for a gadget, but you need to sacrifice something in favor of the treasured millimeters. But the manufacturers did not remove the 3.5 mm jack for the sake of miniaturization. By the way, Vivo X5 Max has a very stylish and original design, fits comfortably in your hand and does not cause discomfort when working with it. But if you want to buy such a model for yourself, you will have to strain a little to find it. As you know, whoever seeks will definitely find!



Competition in the smartphone market is very tough. Every company looking to get its share of the mobile pie is focusing heavily on innovation. A better camera, a faster fingerprint sensor, a larger battery, more RAM at a lower cost are some of the priorities for smartphone developers. However, the most difficult goal is to create the thinnest smartphone possible, since many components must be placed in a small area. Fortunately, many companies have successfully tackled this major technological challenge. We present to your attention the top 5 thinnest phones of 2019.

5 Micromax Q450 Canvas Sliver 5

The average cost is 12,990 rubles.
Case thickness – 5.1 mm.

In addition to the ultra-thin body, this smartphone also boasts 4G LTE, a 4.8-inch Amoled display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, as well as a 64-bit 1.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor from Qualcomm combined with 2 GB of RAM. The Canvas Sliver 5 comes with 16GB of internal memory, and unfortunately it cannot be expanded using a memory card.

The 8-megapixel rear camera with Sony IMX219 CMOS sensor with a “blue glass filter” and LED flash received positive reviews. In addition to it, there is also a 5-megapixel front camera. The battery is not very capacious - 2000 mAh, but the manufacturer assures that it will be enough for most people who want to use the phone throughout the day.

In addition to the device itself, the package includes a headset, a bumper case and a protective film.

4 BQ BQS-4800 Blade

Sold for an average of 10,990 rubles.
Case thickness – 5 mm.

This elegant and very thin smartphone with a 4.8-inch display, aircraft-grade aluminum frames and double-sided Corning Gorilla Glass, compares favorably with many competitors: price;
- case and headphones included;
- presence of voice control;
- 4G LTE;
- and an NXP Smart Power audio amplifier.

The 13 megapixel main camera takes excellent pictures in sunny weather and acceptable in the dark. The number of megapixels of the front camera is 8. The quad-core Qualcomm MSM 8916 chip allows you to run modern games and applications without freezing or stuttering.

Alas, miracles do not happen and BQ engineers were unable to place a battery with a capacity of more than 2000 mAh in such a thin case. And you cannot “increase” memory for user applications using a memory card. And it’s not enough for a modern smartphone - 16 GB. 2 GB are allocated for pre-installed programs.

3 Oppo R5 and Oppo R5s

The average price is 17,480 rubles.
Case thickness – 4.85 mm.

These two beautiful 5.2-inch smartphones are almost identical in their capabilities. The only difference: the Oppo R5 has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of user data on board, while the R5S version has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM. The phones have good built-in features such as an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chip, GPS, Glonass and excellent cameras of 13 and 5 MP. If you are not chasing a famous brand and are looking for a very thin smartphone, then one of these devices is worth purchasing.

The disadvantages of both smartphones include:
- not too capacious 2000 mAh battery;
- lack of memory card support;
- lack of 3.5 mm audio jack;
- lack of NFC;
- high price;
- and infrequent appearance on sale.

2 Vivo X5 Max is the thinnest in Russia

The average price is 14,450 rubles.
Case thickness – 4.75 mm.


Vivo X5 Max is one of the thinnest smartphones of 2019. This is a rather interesting specimen with many options (such as voice control, GPS module, support for DLNA and 4G networks) and maintaining a decent balance between high performance and small size. The gadget is equipped with a fast eight-core Snapdragon 615 chip from Qualcomm, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory, and a large and bright 5.5-inch 1080p display. There is also a 13-megapixel camera on the back with flash and autofocus and a 5-megapixel camera on the front.

Vivo X5 Max: what's inside
The developers managed to ensure that the thickness of the smartphone case at the widest part was only 4.75 mm, and at the edges it narrowed to 3.98 mm. In this case, the camera does not protrude beyond the body. If you disassemble the smartphone, it will become clear that all its parts are placed on a solid metal frame.
- In order to fit all the “stuffing” inside the device, which is 78 mm wide and 153.9 mm high, the battery had to be reduced in volume to 2000 mAh and the motherboard had to be designed in such a way that its thickness was only 1.7 mm.
- In addition, Vivo X5 Max has the world's thinnest speaker, with a thickness of 2.45 mm.
- Inside the device there was enough space for an Audio Jack 3.5 mm connector and two slots for SIM cards. True, both slots are located on a single frame, that is, if the user wants to expand the memory, he will have to sacrifice one of the SIM cards.
- Super AMOLED screen thickness is 1.36 mm.

At the same time, Vivo engineers did not sacrifice a memory card slot for the sake of an ultra-thin body. Therefore, it can be expanded up to 128 GB.

1 Coolpad Ivvi K1 Mini – the thinnest in the world

You can buy, on average, 12,738 rubles.
Case thickness – 4.7 mm.


The title of “the thinnest smartphone in the world” has been held by the brainchild of the Chinese company Coolpad for several years. It is 0.05 mm thinner than the Vivo X5 Max with a noticeably smaller screen size and lighter weight.


But the creators of the Ivvi K1 Mini cheated a little and, unlike the Vivo X5 Max, placed the 8-megapixel camera slightly outside the smartphone body. Because of this, honest 4.7 mm remained at the edges of the case, but in its center the thickness reaches 7 mm.


An interesting feature of this elegant device with rounded ends is the texture of the back of the case, a la “baby skin”. It doesn't leave fingerprints.


The screen with an IPS matrix has a diagonal of 4.7 inches and a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. According to user reviews, it is distinguished by its brightness and realistic color reproduction. RAM is not enough for a modern device - 1 GB, flash memory is also “not a lot” - 8 GB, but it can be expanded up to 32 GB. The advantages of the smartphone include NFC support and the ability to work on a 4G network.

Coolpad Ivvi K1 Mini: what's inside


- In order to reduce the thickness of the case, the developers sacrificed the number of SIM cards. If the main competitor - Vivo X5 Max - has two of them, then this gadget has only one. The screen size also suffered. The Vivo X5 Max has a 5.5-inch display, while the Ivvi K1 Mini has a 4.7-inch display.
- But there is still a 3.5 mm headphone port.
- Unlike Vivo X5 Max, Ivvi K1 Mini has only one microphone, which does not improve the sound recording quality.
- The device is based on a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chip with four cores and a frequency of 1.2 gigahertz. Such a processor does not put too much strain on the small battery, whose capacity is 1800 mAh. It lasts for 12-14 hours of active use.
- Coolpad Ivvi K1 Mini is slightly taller than
- Vivo X5 Max - 155.1 mm versus 153.9 mm. But it weighs significantly less - 110 grams versus 156 grams. Vivo X5 Max is equipped with a 13 megapixel camera with F/2.0 aperture and autofocus. Additionally, it comes with a front-facing 5MP selfie camera for handling video conferencing. The smartphone from Coolpad comes with an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front camera for video conferencing.
- Like the Vivo X5 Max, the Ivvi K1 Mini has parts on a solid metal frame.


This gadget was released for the domestic market of China. With great luck, you can find it for sale on the AliExpress online platform or order it with the help of an intermediary on the Chinese online auction Taobao. But it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find the Coolpad Ivvi K1 Mini for sale in Russian stores.

Why it: 7.5 mm thick, top technical characteristics.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus is the latest smartphone from the Cupertino company, made in the classic format. All the rest are already “X-like”, with a characteristic design and powerful components, which is why they turn out to be relatively “plump”. Apple iPhone 8 Plus, in turn, has a thickness of only 7.5 mm.

Other technical characteristics of the device are also excellent. The 5.5-inch IPS screen uses proprietary Retina technology, which makes it look impressive; The 12+12 MP camera takes amazing pictures, especially in portrait mode; and the internal storage, whose capacity in the maximum configuration is 256 GB, is enough for all games, applications, photos and videos.

At the same time, the smartphone is also lightweight. It weighs only 202 grams, which makes it look like a truly premium device - thin, almost weightless and stylish.

Advantages

  • Premium design and characteristics;
  • High performance;
  • High quality screen;

Flaws

  • Glass back panel (collects scratches and fingerprints, it’s better not to drop them);
  • Camera with low aperture, optical stabilization on only one module;
  • Thick frames around the screen, which is why the smartphone itself is quite large;

Why it: 6.98mm thick, Leica cameras.

Huawei P10 is one of the best smartphones for mobile photography lovers. The developers really put a lot of effort into the camera. Firstly, it consists of two 20+12 MP modules, which are complemented by laser autofocus and an optical stabilization system. Secondly, the German company Leica took part in the development of the camera itself and lenses. Finally, Huawei frequently releases software updates for its photographic modules.

The rest of the technical characteristics are also very good. The developers managed to place a powerful HiSilicon Kirin 960 processor in a case with a thickness of only 6.98 mm, which is complemented by 4 GB of RAM. The internal storage in the “top” configuration has a capacity of 64 GB, memory cards are supported. The 5.1-inch IPS screen, protected by Gorilla Glass 5, has FHD resolution. The 3200 mAh battery will provide autonomy for the whole day and supports fast charging.

Advantages

  • Supports 2 SIM cards;
  • Camera with Leica optics;
  • Shoots well in the dark;

Flaws

  • Unreliable oleophobic screen coating;
  • No protection from dust and moisture;
  • No stereo speakers;

Why it is: 7.25 mm thick, the most top-end characteristics at the time of release.

OnePlus 5 is a smartphone for those who want to “get more and pay less.” Like other devices from this Chinese-American manufacturer, it offers top-end components at one of the lowest prices in the ranking. In particular, the hardware platform of this device is based on the Snapdragon 835 processor, which is complemented by 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage in the maximum configuration. Camera – 16+16 MP, with optical stabilization and zoom.

One of the most attractive features of a smartphone is its screen. The 5.5-inch AMOLED matrix has FHD resolution and has thin frames. In addition, it has natural color rendition (which, however, can be switched to saturated mode for lovers of “close to acidic” shades).

In addition, in a case with a thickness of only 7.25 mm, the manufacturer managed to install a 3300 mAh battery, providing autonomy for the whole day.

Advantages

  • Great screen;
  • High performance and high-quality camera;
  • Support for gesture control on the Home scanner button;

Flaws

  • The fingerprint scanner works 7-8 times out of 10;
  • Discreet design;
  • The back panel is scratched;

Why it: 7 mm thick, very good technical characteristics.

Galaxy C7 Pro is one of Samsung’s “experimental” smartphones. The device is distinguished by a design that is non-standard for the manufacturer, somewhat reminiscent of the devices of the Japanese corporation Sony, a good price for the “top-middle” class and a powerful “filling”. In particular, in a 7 mm thick case, the manufacturer managed to fit a powerful proprietary processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage and a 3300 mAh battery, which provides autonomy for the whole day.

The smartphone is also equipped with a 5.1-inch FHD AMOLED screen that supports the proprietary Always-On Display feature, and a single 16-megapixel camera. In general, the device is not a flagship, but it is productive, stylish and beautiful.

Advantages

  • Attractive design, not similar to other Samsung “remnants”;
  • High autonomy;
  • One of the best price-performance combinations in the rating;

Flaws

  • The camera periodically “soaps”;
  • The fingerprint scanner works 6-7 times out of 10;
  • Not on official sale in Russia – i.e. there are no authorized service centers and you cannot find suitable cases in offline stores;

Why it: 7.4mm thick, Bravia Engine-ready screen, and waterproof design.

Sony Xperia XZ1 is a smartphone for lovers of multimedia and mobile photography. The Walkman Engine is responsible for high-quality sound reproduction, the Bravia Engine technology is responsible for the brightness and richness of colors on the screen, and the camera has a resolution of 19 MP and can shoot slow-motion video at speeds of up to 960 frames per second.

In addition, being a flagship, the smartphone offers top-end technical specifications. The processor here is an eight-core Snapdragon 835 chip, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage, memory cards are supported. The smartphone screen is a 5.2-inch IPS matrix with FHD resolution.

And finally, the smartphone battery has a capacity of 2700 mAh – and it is enough for a working day with mixed use thanks to software and hardware optimization.

It is also worth noting that the smartphone is housed in a dust- and water-resistant case, and its screen is covered with Gorilla Glass 5.

Advantages

  • High performance;
  • Fresh operating system;
  • Excellent multimedia qualities, including sound from stereo speakers;

Flaws

  • Relatively small battery capacity;
  • Slippery body;
  • Poor equipment;

Why it: 7.39 mm thick, great screen.

LG V30+ is the second flagship of the Korean manufacturer in 2017, the first retail smartphone running Android 8.0 Oreo (not counting Google Pixel). But he is interesting not only for this. With the LG V30+, the company decided to focus on sound. Therefore, the smartphone is equipped with a powerful speaker, a separate Hi-End DAC, and the device comes with headphones by Bang&Olufsen.

The technical characteristics of the device are also excellent. The manufacturer managed to cram the top-end Snapdragon 835 processor into a thin body (only 7.39 mm), supplement it with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, as well as a 3200 mAh battery. The smartphone has a dual camera, 16+13 MP, with support for artificial intelligence.

The screen is worth mentioning separately. It has a diagonal of 6 inches, but thanks to the thin frames, the smartphone does not look like a shovel. In addition, the display is made using OLED technology and has a resolution of 2880x1440 pixels.

Advantages

  • The most “musical” smartphone in the ranking;
  • Very thin frames around the screen, no notch;
  • AI-enabled camera;

Flaws

  • Inconvenient location of the speaker and physical buttons;
  • No stereo speakers;
  • “Weak” front camera;

Why it: Thickness 6.9 mm, low price, good technical characteristics.

Nova 2 Plus is one of the top-middle class smartphones from Huawei. Therefore, the device has a low price and is excellent for those who want to get a thin and stylish device, but are not ready to pay 2-3 salaries for it.

It cannot be said that they “saved” on anything here. The smartphone is equipped with a fairly fast Kirin 659 processor, which is complemented by 2 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The 3350 mAh battery provides up to two days of battery life. The main camera is dual, 12+8 MP, supports artificial intelligence for automatically selecting the shooting mode.

The smartphone is also equipped with a 5.5-inch diagonal LTPS screen with FHD resolution.

Advantages

  • Good price-performance ratio;
  • Frequent operating system updates;
  • Long battery life;

Flaws

  • Slippery glossy body;
  • No optical stabilization;
  • Thick frames around the screen;

Why it: 5.99mm thick, supports external modules.

Moto Z2 Play, like other flagships of the Motorola Z line, is a modular smartphone. More precisely, it can work on its own, but if you want, you can always purchase an accessory from the Moto Mods series. These are additional modules that expand the functionality of the device - speakers, batteries, projectors, cameras and much, much more.

Otherwise, the device is quite standard for its “top-middle” class. The smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 626 processor, which is complemented by 4 GB of RAM and a 64 GB internal storage with support for memory cards. The battery is 3000 mAh, provides up to 1.5 days of battery life in mixed use mode. The main camera is 12 MP. By the way, it’s interesting that the device has a front flash.

The smartphone is also equipped with a 5.5-inch FHD display using AMOLED technology.

Advantages

  • One of the thinnest smartphones in the rating, only 5.99 mm;
  • Supports external modules;

Flaws

  • Relatively average camera;
  • Average performance;
  • External modules are difficult to find on sale;

Why it: 7.5mm thick, good performance and low price.

Xiaomi smartphones all had a significantly lower price than their analogues. And the company also retained this marketing policy in its flagships. Mi6 offers truly top-end hardware at a price comparable to the cost of mid-range devices from other manufacturers.

In particular, Mi6 is equipped with a Snapdragon 835 processor, which is complemented by 6 GB of RAM and an internal storage of 128 GB. The built-in battery has a capacity of 3350 mAh, which provides 1-1.5 days of battery life in mixed use mode. Camera – double, 12+12 MP.

The smartphone is also equipped with a 5.15-inch IPS display with FHD resolution. Therefore, even despite the relatively thick frames around the screen, the device remains compact in size.

Advantages

  • Camera with 2x optical zoom;
  • Fast and accurate fingerprint scanner;
  • High performance;

Flaws

  • Strong connection to Mi services;
  • Very slippery glass body;
  • Unsuccessful camera software in some scenes (for example, in portrait mode);

Why it: 7.25mm thick and great screen.

One of the main advantages of this smartphone is its screen. The display with ultra-thin side frames and no curved corners looks truly futuristic. In addition, the screen is made using AMOLED technology, has a diagonal of 5.95 inches and a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels.

In principle, the rest of the technical characteristics of the phone are also quite good. The eight-core top-middle class processor provides optimal performance and is complemented by 6 GB of RAM. The battery is 3500 mAh, enough for the whole day with fairly active use. The main camera is dual, 20+12 MP, with support for artificial intelligence.

An interesting “feature” of the smartphone is face recognition unlocking. Of course, there is also a fingerprint scanner, but thanks to appearance detection, the usage process becomes seamless and easier.

Advantages

  • One of the best screens in the ranking;
  • Good sound thanks to a separate DAC;
  • Excellent combination of price and characteristics;

Flaws

  • Contactless payment via NFC is missing;
  • There are false and premature facial recognition detections;
  • Strange company update policy

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Back in 2003, Fly introduced the S288 phone to the public, which was actively promoted as the thinnest cellular device on the market. This step was received very positively by the public, and the thin model was in demand. All the key market players joined the fight for a promising niche; as a result, after just a year, there were many more models thinner than 1 cm.

Progress does not stand still; engineers are constantly striving to remove extra millimeters. A smartphone more than 1 cm thick in 2016 already seems like a “brick”. In the race for design, new lithium-polymer batteries, miniature printed circuit boards, the abandonment of buttons, and the reduction of key components are being used.

In pursuit of thickness, Apple, according to rumors, even wants to abandon the 3.5 mm headset jack, thus gaining an extra millimeter.

However, mobile phones that are even more than 1 mm thinner than the iPhone 6 already exist. The selection, which includes the thinnest smartphones for 2016, is dedicated to them. There are no models released over the past six months: it seems that the Chinese have so far encountered a kind of barrier. However, all the devices on the list are still relevant.

In September 2014, Gionee released the Elite S5.1 smartphone, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the thinnest smartphone.

Its thickness was 5.15 mm. A little later, at the request of Fly, a more productive version was released, known in our area as Fly Tornado Slim Octa. Nowadays it’s difficult to find Tornado Slim on sale, but it’s possible. The issue price in 2016 is about 160 USD.

The smartphone received an eight-core MediaTek MT6592 processor, known for its good (at that time) performance. But the amount of RAM let us down, only 1 GB. Built-in storage is 16 GB, the space cannot be expanded. The 4.8" screen has HD resolution and is covered with Gorilla glass.

The engineers were unable to fit a good camera into such a thin body. The Tornado Slim uses a miniature 8 MP sensor. So you shouldn’t expect good photos from him. A 2050 mAh battery for such a smartphone seems quite good, if not for one “but”: the eight-core MTK chip is not particularly economical. But I was pleased with the presence of a 3.5 mm jack: the smartphone is 1.5 mm thinner than the iPhone 6, and no one thought to “throw away” the audio jack in pursuit of a record.

2nd place: Oppo R5

Second place in the ranking of the thinnest smartphones went to another Chinese device (looking ahead, it’s worth noting: all the devices in the selection are “Made in China”; for some reason the Koreans and the Japanese are not so actively fighting with millimeters).

Oppo R5 was launched in October 2014, following the Gionee/Fly. Its thickness is 4.85 mm, which is 0.3 mm less than the models mentioned above. At the start of sales, the price of the device was $500; now (in 2016) it is almost impossible to find a gadget.

Oppo R5 specs include an octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. Expanding it, of course, will not work. The 5.2" screen has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, so at the time of release the smartphone could claim to be a flagship, and in 2016 it still does not seem completely outdated.

The 13 MP camera is not bad for its class; it is capable of taking a good photo and recording video in FullHD. What we had to sacrifice a little was the battery. 2000 mAh is not enough for a 5.2" FHD screen and an eight-core processor. But this is not the worst thing: Oppo R5 does not have the usual 3.5 mm mini-jack socket. It has not been replaced with the already forgotten 2.5 mm or the newfangled and universal one USB Type C, which became popular in 2015-2016. Headphones are connected to a MicroUSB connector; at least there is an adapter included.

In fairness, it is worth noting that the thickness of the smartphone applies to the main part: in the camera area it is thicker. Visually, the difference is about 0.5 mm; it will not be possible to determine it accurately without a caliper.

1st place: Vivo X5 Max

The first place in terms of thickness was taken by the Vivo X5 Max, which was released at the end of the same 2014 (it seems that then the Chinese seriously got involved in the race for thickness).

The launch price of the device was about $500. Despite the passage of time, Vivo X5 Max remains the thinnest smartphone in 2016.

The Chinese were able to place an eight-core MT6752 chipset, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent memory in a 3.98 mm thick case. Even by the standards of 2016, the characteristics look competitive. The engineers even managed to install a memory card slot. The only thing that is a little disappointing is the protrusion in the camera area, where the thickness of the device reaches 4.75 mm.

The Vivo X5 Max screen is 5.5-inch, with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The 13 MP camera isn't impressive, but it's not disappointing either. A 2300 mAh battery may not seem like enough for a phablet, but you have to sacrifice something for the sake of the treasured millimeters (even micrometers). I'm glad that the 3.5 mm jack was not removed for the sake of miniaturization.

Many of the latest smartphone models come out at least large, or at most “shovels” with 7-inch screens, almost catching up in size with tablets. It’s inconvenient to make calls from this, and even more so to carry it in your pocket or clutch. On the other hand, compact smartphones are rather weak and not all applications are released for their screens. We have compiled a rating of the thinnest smartphones for 2017, which are comfortable to walk with and have a beautiful design.

BQ BQS-4800 Blade

Let's start the TOP with the Chinese guest - BQ BQS-4800 Blade. This reliable smartphone with a small screen and a capacious battery (for such a screen and 2000 mAh of RAM is enough to maintain decent autonomy) combines high-quality cameras, good hardware, and all this in a smartphone weighing only 100 grams. This inexpensive but good smartphone of 2016 has an prohibitively small amount of internal memory. However, the smartphone does not have a slot for a memory card and a second SIM card.

Main characteristics:

  • Screen: 4.8 inches with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels;
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 processor and Adreno 306 video accelerator;
  • Android 5.0;
  • Camera: 13 and 8 MP;
  • Battery: 2000 mAh.

Pros:

  1. AMOLED screen;
  2. Good front camera;
  3. Gorilla Glass.

Minuses:

  1. Old Android firmware;
  2. Little built-in memory;
  3. You can't insert a memory card.

Samsung Galaxy A8 SM-A800F

A smartphone with a large screen and two SIM cards, the powerful and popular Samsung Galaxy A8 SM-A800F. The smartphone has a 5.7-inch screen, a powerful phone processor and a gorgeous 16-megapixel camera in such a relatively small design that inspires respect and allows you to enjoy its relative compactness without compromising applications and viewing multimedia. However, according to reviews on the forums, this smartphone has too sensitive buttons, so it likes to switch to active mode right in your pocket or bag.

Main characteristics:

  • Screen: 5.7 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels;
  • Memory: 16 GB built-in and 2 GB RAM;
  • Android 5.1;
  • Camera: 16 and 5 MP;
  • Battery: 3050 mAh.

Pros:

  1. AMOLED display;
  2. Very powerful processor;
  3. Slot for a second SIM card/memory card.

Minuses:

  1. Old Android;
  2. The largest of the compared models;
  3. Buttons are too sensitive.

Motorola Moto Z 32Gb

In second place in the ranking of the thinnest smartphones for 2017 was a model for which, it seemed, the glory days were long gone - Motorolla Moto Z. Today, this phablet has the best screen, the number of pixels per inch is simply amazing, as is the picture quality on the AMOLED display . The hardware parameters are also excellent - an excellent processor from Qualcomm, 4 gigabytes of RAM, relatively recent Android firmware. Gorilla Glass will protect your popular smartphone from bumps and scratches. True, the phone does not support Dual Sim, but you can expand its memory. In 2017, such a smartphone is worth buying as a compact and powerful alternative to a laptop.

Main characteristics:

  • Screen: 5.5 inches with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels;
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 processor and Adreno 530 video accelerator;
  • Memory: 32 GB built-in and 4 GB RAM;
  • Android 6.0;
  • Camera: 13 and 5 MP;
  • Battery: 2600 mAh.

Pros:

  1. AMOLED display;
  2. Huge number of pixels per inch;
  3. Separate slot for memory card;
  4. Gorilla Glass;

Minuses:

  1. Inconvenient fingerprint sensor;
  2. Discharges quickly after fast charging;
  3. Slippery body;
  4. Very expensive.

ZTE Nubia My Prague

The undisputed winner of the TOP in all respects is the 4g smartphone ZTE Nubila My Prague. Unlike Motorola, Nubila supports Dual sim. The front camera didn’t disappoint either - of course, it’s far from the flagship “shovels,” but for a compact smartphone it takes pretty good selfies. The processor is fast enough to handle apps and games, and the awfully small amount of onboard memory is expandable. Separately, it is worth noting that Nubila has good sound, which is very rare for models within 10,000 rubles. Still wondering which smartphone is better to choose? The Nubila has a fast charging feature and a battery that's big enough that you don't need to use it as often (or turn your phone into a landline like Apple's). This is the best smartphone at an affordable price.

Main characteristics:

  • Screen: 5.2 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels;
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 MSM8939 processor and Adreno 405 video accelerator;
  • Memory: 16 GB built-in and 2 GB RAM;
  • Android 5.1;
  • Camera: 13 and 8 MP;
  • Battery: 2200 mAh.

Pros:

  1. Good front camera;
  2. There is a slot for a second SIM card/memory card;
  3. Very good sound;
  4. Fast charging function.

Minuses:

  1. Small built-in memory;
  2. No factory film;
  3. Not the newest version of Android.

Conclusion

The ranking of the thinnest smartphones for 2017 has come to an end. We have indicated the main characteristics, pros and cons of each model to make it easier for you to understand whether a smartphone is suitable for your purposes or whether you should look at another phone. Unlike large devices, the smartphones presented in our top have many advantages: they are easy to hold in your hand, they fit in any pocket or clutch, and their power is enough to surf the Internet or play modern games. In addition, they have a pleasant price-quality ratio, which will allow you not to overpay “for the prestige” of the brand.