The small world of mini flagship phones (pictures)

Editors' Note: This piece was originally published on May 22, 2014, and is continuously updated.

While manufacturers find great success and popularity with their annually refreshed marquee handsets, it doesn't stop them from releasing smaller versions of their flagships. These "mini" variants are scaled down both in size and in specs. However, what these handsets lose in power, they usually make up for with a lower, more affordable price. Pictured above are the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (left) and the HTC One Mini.

With its 4.6-inch display, the Xperia Z3 Compact has a larger screen than its mini predecessor, the Xperia Z1 Compact, but remains smaller than its flagship counterpart. The device is also waterproof so you can take photos underwater, runs the latest version of the Android OS (Android 4.4.4 KitKat), and has a Snapdragon 801 processor.

Also known as the G3 Beat in Asia, the G3 S is the little brother of the LG G3. Though it retains the laser-guided camera and curved metallic aesthetic, the S has a more manageable 5-inch display. Unfortunately, you won't be getting that crisp 1,440p resolution. Instead, the G3 S has a rather conservative 720p resolution.

The S5 Mini is Samsung's third mini handset. Coming in an assortment of colors including blue and gold, the S5 Mini is powered by a Snapdragon 400 quad-core CPU, and runs Android 4.4. KitKat. Though pricing is still unknown, it'll surely pique the interest of those who want a GS5 at a cheaper price.

Released globally under the moniker One Mini 2, the HTC One Remix is a US- and Verizon-exclusive model of the HTC flagship One M8. Though it comes in at a more pocketable 4.5 inches, it doesn't skimp on looks. The device flaunts a stylish, aluminum aesthetic and curved backing. It also has a 1.2GHz processor and a 720p display.

Sporting the same X8 processor as its older counterpart the Droid Maxx, the Droid Mini cuts corners with a less premium design. However, it still boasts long battery life and a quad-core GPU.

Packing a fast quad-core processor, the Xperia Z1 Compact comes in a variety of colors and features a waterproof design.

Available in the UK with plans to hit Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, the G2 Mini is equipped with a 4.7-inch display, an 8-megapixel camera and an impressive 2,440mAh battery.

Samsung released its followup S4 Mini (left) variant late in 2013. Though it has less internal memory and an 8-megapixel camera (the Galaxy S4 has a 13-megapixel one), it's still a capable midtier device.

The One Mini (left) may not have the same all-metal design as the original One, but this 4G LTE handset runs Android 4.2.2 and flaunts respectable hardware regardless, including a dual-core Snapdragon 400 CPU and a 4-UltraPixel camera.

As one of the earliest mini flagships, the Galaxy S3 Mini debuted with a $1 on-contract price tag. That's an excellent deal considering it features 4G LTE and a decent 5-megapixel camera.