Report Tips October iPad Mini Launch

The new iPhone is largely expected to be released in late September, but what about the iPad mini? According to a new report, you will probably get your hands on the smaller tablet by October.

Citing rumors circulating in the IT market, Digitimes today reported that Apple will launch a 7.85-inch iPad in October. Suppliers reportedly started producing about several hundred thousand iPad minis in June, but will ramp up to about 4 million iPad mini devices per month once things get going.

Digitimes said Apple will include a thinner screen frame on the iPad mini, which will allow it to have a bigger display than rival tablets and a resolution similar to that of the iPad 2.

The publication did not have any details about pricing, but speculated that even if Apple priced the iPad mini at $100 more than rival tablets like the and , it will still have a major impact on the Amazon and Google tablets.

Earlier this month, of what the iPad mini might look like. The blog suggested that the device will resemble a "big iPod touch" with a thinner border around the edge than the 9.7-inch iPad, as well as separate volume buttons.

Reports from Digitimes should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt, but today's story is in line with that suggest an October launch for the iPad mini. Apple has made no announcements, but is expected to unveil the device at a , which could also see the unveiling of the next-gen iPhone and iPod touch.

For more, see PCMag's iPhone 5 rumor roundup slideshow below.