This post was originally published on Mashable.

AllThingsD is confirming that Apple will unveil a seven-inch "iPad Mini" in October, following the September launch of the next-generation iPhone.

ATD's John Paczkowski reports the "iPhone 5″ and a smaller iPad will premiere at two separate events before the US holiday season commences. He cites "several" unnamed sources. The next iPhone will debut at an "as-of-yet unannounced event" on September 12, the report says.

"Only after the next generation iPhone is out the door and on sale will Apple announce the smaller iPad it's been working on," Paczkowski writes. "That device, which is expected to have a display of less than eight inches, will be uncrated at a second special event, which sources said is currently scheduled for October."

Apple hasn't confirmed any plans.

For months, tech analysts have been debating the market's need for an Apple device that's larger than the iPhone and nearly three inches smaller than the existing 9.7-inch iPad.

Comparing the "iPad Mini" to the classic tablet, some argue it's a bad idea. Experts suggest the medium Apple device would offer consumers an "inferior" experience in terms of web browsing, video streaming, reading and writing. The diminutive iPad would be competing with several other 7-inch tablets on the market including Google's Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook tablet.

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