Confirmed: New iPad Mini to Debut in October, After Latest Apple iPhone’s September Bow

Apple’s next generation iPhone and its so-called “iPad mini” will debut at two separate events this fall, rather than a single one as has been widely speculated, according to several sources.

First comes the latest iteration of the tech giant’s hugely popular smartphone, which will be unveiled at an as yet unannounced event on September 12.

Only after the next-generation iPhone is out the door and on sale will Apple announce the smaller iPad it’s been working on. 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.

Some have already speculated that Apple would likely separate these two iOS device announcements, particularly since both are likely to be blockbuster events.

Daring Fireball’s John Gruber recently posited that reports suggesting Apple would debut the new iPhone and iPad mini at a single event were off-base.

His theory: The iPhone is Apple’s marquee device and the marketing savvy company would never unveil it alongside a second product that might dilute the attention it will certainly command.

“I don’t think Apple would want reviews of both a new iPhone and new-size iPad appearing at the same time,” Gruber wrote. “Why share the spotlight? Why have another Apple product battling with the iPhone for the top spots in news coverage? … The more I think about it, the less sense it makes for the iPhone to even share the stage at the announcement with any other product. The iPhone is too big, too cool, and garners too much attention — and it’s in Apple’s interest to keep that attention undiluted.”

As it turns out, sources said, that more than make sense — it’s so.

With a new iPhone and a new, diminutive iPad in the pipeline, Apple has two opportunities to commandeer the tech news cycle ahead of the annual holiday shopping binge, and it’s going to take them both.

So, expect two Apple events to be announced in the days and weeks ahead, with Apple’s two biggest hardware announcements of the year to follow.

Apple declined to comment on its plans.

Update Oct. 23, 2012: Yes, confirmed.

[Image credit: Ciccarese Design]