Samsung is expected to announce a smaller version of its flagship Galaxy S3 smartphone, and now more evidence has emerged supporting that rumor.

A couple of retailers in Europe's northern countries have now listed the purported Galaxy S3 Mini on their Web sites, and it appears the handset will be available in several options. Codenamed GT-I8190, the smaller Galaxy S3 will reportedly be available in blue and white, with or without NFC connectivity, for $540 and $560, respectively.

Samsung's flagship Galaxy S3 smartphone has proved wildly popular, yet its huge display does not suit all tastes. The rumored Galaxy S3 Mini, however, would appeal to those seeking a smaller, but equally powerful smartphone. The smaller version is expected to sport a 4-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels.

Samsung offered no official comment on the rumor, nor has it officially announced a smaller version of its flagship. The South Korean tech giant did, however, plan a "little sensation" for Thursday, Oct. 11. The invitations touted something small that can be really big, and the Galaxy S3 Mini is expected to be the star of the Oct. 11 event in Berlin.

The retail listing only features the available options, but does not provide any official pictures of the purported device. The handset is expected to have a WVGA display, a 5-megapixel camera, a dual-core processor, and the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean right out of the box.

While nothing is official, launching a Galaxy S3 Mini would make sense for Samsung. It would not only appeal to a wider audience, but it would also put the company in a better position to compete with Apple's iPhone. As many iPhone users tend to diss the larger display size found in many Android handsets, a smaller Galaxy S3 could attract those iPhone users who are considering making the switch to Android.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has been a top seller, but it also ranks near the top of the list of over-sized smartphones, nearly crossing the line to "phablets." In addition, "Mini" seems to be a trend now, as Apple is also rumored to be cooking up a smaller version of its popular iPad. If the rumors prove to be true, would you buy a Galaxy S3 Mini?