Samsung has announced that a new mini version of its flagship Galaxy S3 flagship smartphone is on the way.

The smaller, less powerful version of the popular mobile was unveiled by the South Korean tech giants at an event in Germany yesterday.

With a four-inch screen, the same as that of Apple's iPhone 5, the Mini boasts Android Jelly Bean, giving faster browsing and various other improvements, along with a number of S3 features like S Voice for voice control, and S Beam for fast data sharing.

Though the Dual Core 1GHz processor won't match that of the Galaxy S3, this latest Samsung handset does come with 1GB of RAM, a 5mpx rear camera and front-facing camera for video chat.

According to Digital Spy, Simon Stanford, vice president of telecommunications and networks division at Samsung UK and Ireland, said: "The award-winning Galaxy S3 has been extremely well received globally since it launched earlier this year, so we are thrilled to be able to offer our customers the same revolutionary design, intuitive usability and intelligence in a mini version."

Prices for the Mini are yet to be announced, but it is likely to be aimed at customers who found the S3 too expensive and too big.

It is thought the new Mini will be launched before the end of this year.