Apple has officially announced its worst kept secret overnight: the iPad Mini will arrive in stores next week.
The 7.9-inch tablet weighs in at 308 grams, and is considerably cheaper than any other iteration of the 9.7" iPad, starting at $369. However, it doesn't come close to rivalling its biggest and more powerful competitor, Google's Nexus 7 at $250.
The iPad Mini features the same dual core A5 chip as the iPad 2, as well as the 1024x768 resolution, but within a smaller screen.
"This isn't just a shrunken down iPad," said Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller. "It is an entirely new design."
The iPad Mini includes optional 4G support compatible with the LTE networks operated by Telstra and Optus. It becomes the first iPad to run on Australia's 4G networks.
It also includes two 720P cameras, one for video chat and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. Apple says one charge will offer 10 hours of battery life.
The iPad Mini will go on-sale in Australia on Friday, November 2. The 16GB WiFi model will cost $369, while you can expect to pay $479 for the 32GB and $589 for the 64GB options.
The 4G enabled model will be available later in the year with price tags of $509 (16GB), $619 (32GB) and $729 (64GB).
By Ben Salter