The purported Sony Xperia Z2 Compact has popped up in a number of leaked images, indicating that it will look very similar to the full-size flagship.

Rumors of a smaller version of the flagship Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone are starting to pick up steam, and the latest leak shows several images of the purported device. The Xperia Z2 Compact is highly-anticipated because it is expected to come with high-end specs and features in a compact form factor.

While "Mini" versions of flagship smartphones are generally packed with watered-down specs compared to their larger siblings, Sony revolutionized this notion last year when it launched its Xperia Z1 Compact. Unlike other "Mini" smartphones out there, the Xperia Z1 Compact compromised very little, proving that a smaller version of a flagship doesn't necessarily have to be less powerful and lower-end. Its successor is expected to pack even more punch.

These images surfaced on Chinese website Weibo (via Slashgear) and indicate that the Sony Xperia Z2 Compact will look much like the original flagship, while also packing impressive specs in a more compact form factor.

The Xperia Z2 Compact is expected to boast a 1080p display, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (possibly Snapdragon 400), a powerful 20.7-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, and other high-end specs and features. The smartphone should support NFC and be both dust- and water-resistant, as the images don't suggest that it will be entirely waterproof. More specifically, the leaked photos indicate that the rubbery shielding could protect the entire perimeter of the external parts, but it remains unclear whether the camera and LED flash will be protected as well.

Sony has not announced any plans to launch a smaller version of its Xperia Z2 so far, but a recent FCC listing of what is believed to be the Xperia Z2 Compact also suggests that the smartphone may see an imminent debut. If these leaks are any indication, we should hear more about the Xperia Z2 Compact soon enough, so stay tuned for more information as soon as it becomes available. Until official confirmation, however, take all leaks and speculation with a grain of salt.