TIQmini m5 Black 32GB

The TIQmini m5 is a tiny 2.8-inch Android phone with Google services, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage for around $199 USD. It's pocketable and works on major US carriers, but performance, battery, and camera quality all fall well below average. This is a niche device for people who want the smallest possible Android phone, not a daily driver for most users.

The MediaTek MTK6761 is a quad-core chip designed for budget devices, and it shows. Our performance score puts the TIQmini m5 at the 11th percentile, which means it lags behind most phones on the market. With 3GB of RAM, you can forget about heavy multitasking. Opening a few apps at once will cause stutters, and anything graphically intensive is basically off the table. Android 13 helps a bit on the software side, but the hardware is the bottleneck here.

In practice, this phone handles calls, texts, and light browsing okay. Google Maps will load, but don't expect snappy rerouting. The 32GB of storage fills up fast once you install a handful of apps, and there's no mention of expandable storage in the listing. For a device marketed as a feature phone with Google support, the performance is acceptable for the basics. But if you're comparing it to even a $150 standard Android phone, the TIQmini m5 feels slow.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the TIQmini m5 is in a completely different universe. The S24 Ultra has a massive display, top-tier cameras, and flagship performance. The TIQmini m5 has a 2.8-inch screen and a processor that struggles with basic tasks. But that's not a fair fight. The more relevant comparison is against other compact or budget phones. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is a foldable that gives you a small form factor when closed but unfolds into a full-size phone. The Nothing Phone 4a Pro offers a clean Android experience with far better specs for a similar price. And the Google Pixel 10 Pro, while more expensive, delivers camera quality that the TIQmini m5 can't touch.

If you're looking at the TIQmini m5 because you want a small phone, the Razr Ultra 2025 is the better choice if you can stretch your budget. If you want a cheap Android phone that actually works well, the Nothing Phone 4a Pro or a budget Motorola will serve you better. The TIQmini m5 only wins if you absolutely need a sub-3-inch screen and don't care about anything else.

At $199 USD, the TIQmini m5 is a tough sell. You can get a full-size budget Android phone with better specs for less money. The Samsung Galaxy A series, Motorola G series, and plenty of other options under $200 will run circles around this thing in performance, camera quality, and battery life. The only reason to pay this price is if you specifically want a tiny Android phone with Google services, and even then, you're paying a premium for the form factor. The value proposition is weak unless portability is your absolute top priority.

The TIQmini m5 is one of those tiny Android phones that pops up on Newegg and makes you do a double take. It's a 2.8-inch touchscreen device running Android 13 with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, priced around $199 USD. The pitch is simple: a pocketable phone that still supports Google services and works on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. But the spec sheet tells a more complicated story. The listing mentions a 50MP main camera and 20MP front camera in one place, then a 5MP rear and 2MP front in another. That kind of inconsistency is a red flag, and our database puts the camera at the 29th percentile, which is mediocre at best.

So is the TIQmini m5 good for everyday use? Not really. It's a niche device for people who want the smallest possible Android phone that still runs Google apps. The MediaTek MTK6761 processor is an entry-level chip from several years ago, and with 3GB of RAM, you're looking at a phone that will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks. Dual SIM dual 4G is a nice touch for travelers, but the overall feature set lands at the 5th percentile. That's one of the worst we've seen.

If you're searching for a tiny Android phone or a minimalist smartphone, this will show up in your results. But you should know what you're getting into. This isn't a flagship killer. It's a curiosity with a touchscreen, and the specs reflect that.

Skip the TIQmini m5 if you want a phone for photography, gaming, or heavy app use. The camera is mediocre, the performance is weak, and the 2.8-inch display is too small for comfortable media consumption. If you need good battery life, look elsewhere too. Budget options from Motorola, Samsung's A series, or the Nothing Phone 4a Pro will serve you far better for the same or less money. This phone is only for people who want the smallest possible Android device and are willing to accept major compromises.

Should you buy the TIQmini m5? For most people, no. The performance is weak, the camera is mediocre, and the battery life is rough. At $199 USD, you're paying a lot for a tiny screen and Google services. This phone makes sense for a very specific person: someone who wants the smallest possible Android device for calls, texts, and maybe light app use, and who doesn't mind the compromises. If that's you, the TIQmini m5 is one of the few options out there. But if you want a phone that actually works well as a phone, look elsewhere.

The TIQmini m5 is a niche product, and it knows it. It's not trying to compete with flagships. But even in its niche, the specs are underwhelming. The confusing camera listing doesn't help. If you're on the fence, we'd say skip it unless the tiny form factor is non-negotiable.