The LG G2 Mini is more expensive than some of the other compacts, but because the user experience of the LG G2 Mini is similar to that of the LG G2, it's still excellent value.

That includes quirks such as buttons on the back, as well as small bezels that give prominence to the screen. The G2 Mini also has the same excellent battery as the larger G2, with a 2440mAh power cell, all housed in a 129.6 x 66 x 9.8mm frame, smaller than the G2's 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9mm.

The LG G2 Mini's RAM is cut from 2GB to 1GB and comes with a slower 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, compared to the LG G2's 2.26GHz Snapdragon 800, preventing it from charting higher in our list.

The 4.7-inch display also takes a hit, with a resolution of 540 x 960 and a pixel density of 234ppi. This is a lot less than the LG G2's 5.2-inch display, which has a 1,080 x 1,920 resolution and a pixel density of 424ppi, and along with the processor is probably the biggest chop.

That said, it's still a decent handset for a lot less cash - one to keep an eye on if you don't mind slightly older tech.

The S5 Mini does a great job of keeping up with its bigger brother, boasting the same water and dust proofing as the full size Galaxy S5.

They also share the same looks, interface, heartrate monitor and fingerprint scanner, so spec wise it's pretty well-stocked.

However, while the S5 comes with a 5.1-inch full HD screen, the S5 Mini makes do with a 4.5-inch 720p screen and a less capable camera. These and other compromises keep the S5 Mini from coming higher up the list, although the smaller screen size helps make the lower resolution seem like less of an issue.

The HTC One Mini 2 does almost everything right when it comes to making a miniature version of a popular flagship phone - apart from keeping the spec sheet as powerful.

Even though it's smaller (137.4 x 65 x 10.6mm) and lighter (137g) than theHTC One M8 (which has dimensions of 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4mm and a weight of 160g), the HTC One Mini 2 retains a similar premium feel, which is a real key consideration if you're less worried about the CPU and how the thing feels day to day.

You may notice, however, that the HTC One Mini 2 is slightly thicker than the HTC One M8, but that doesn't affect things too much.

Though the HTC One Mini 2 is a very capable phone in its own right, HTC has toned the components down compared to the HTC One M8, with a drop from a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor with 2GB of RAM down to a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 and 1GB RAM.

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

Sony's first entry in this list makes a bold stand against the perception that a compact handset should come with cut down specifications. The Xperia Z1 Compact shares the same quad-core Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU with the Xperia Z1.

Sony has cut back in some areas. The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact's 4.3-inch display has a 720 x 1,280 resolution with a 342ppi pixel density, a step down from the Xperia Z1's full high-definition 1,080 x 1,920 resolution and 441ppi pixel density - but it's still sharper than the iPhone 6.

The lower resolution screen benefits the Xperia Z1 Compact, with the GPU not having to work so hard in graphically intensive games. Crucially, you don't feel like you're missing out by choosing the Z1 Compact over the Z1, and Sony is one of the few brands to truly offer this functionality.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is the best mini variant on the market today, with Sony showing the competition that you don't need to cut too many features to make a smaller version of your flagship phone.

The specifications of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact are remarkably close to those of the Sony Xperia Z3. They share the same 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor along with an Adreno 330 GPU and very good 20.7MP camera.

However, like the Z1 Compact the screen resolution is dropped to 720p, despite the raise in size to a 4.6-inch display (that said, to not increase the footprint of the whole phone is really an impressive feat of engineering in only a few months).

Even the compromises that have been made (such as 2GB of RAM in the Z3 compact versus 3GB in the Z3, and the smaller screen and resolution of the Z3 Compact) don't prevent the Z3 Compact from being an excellent smartphone in its own right.

It can comfortably go toe-to-toe with not only its bigger version, but also most flagship smartphones, and Sony has done all this while keeping a much lower price point than most - the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is head and shoulders ahead of the rest as the best mini smartphone around.