Apple (News - Alert) is riding high after the unveiling of the iPhone 5 last week – higher than ever, in fact, as the companies share just broke the $700 price level for the first time on Monday after the tech company confirmed that it had received two million iPhone (News - Alert) 5 pre-orders in the first 24 hours.

But this has just led many to ask: Where’s the iPad 4?

There have been rumors floating around for quite a while now that Apple was going to release a smaller version of the iPad that would feature a screen size of about seven inches rather than 10. Apparently, those rumors were true as new photos of a tablet with Apple branding appeared on a Chinese blog today, matching earlier photos of that same device.

That device is said to be the fabled iPad Mini.

The exact screen size of the iPad Mini is said to be 7.85 inches.

To some, the idea of an iPad Mini seemed impossible before photos started showing up on the Internet, largely because of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs' (News - Alert) previous statements that the seven-inch form factor just isn't a good one for tablets. Furthermore, Apple has not officially acknowledged such a device.

But just as the iPhone 5 wasn't exactly a secret leading up to its launch, component suppliers in Asia have foiled any attempt at secrecy made on Apple's part.

The latest images show an aluminum shell, much like the regular iPad, but with thicker edges. While some have dubbed this less attractive than the iPad's wisp-thin design, it makes sense if Apple is truly aiming for the full power and capability of an iPad in a smaller package.

Other details made apparent in the leaked photos are that the iPad Mini will feature front- and rear-facing cameras, as well as a smaller port, thought to be the Lightning port seen on the iPhone 5. Otherwise, little else is know about the iPad Mini, but it's safe to assume that it will sport a Retina Display like the standard iPad.

Rumors suggest Apple will announce the device sometime in October with a price somewhere between $250 and $350.

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