The iPad Mini is rumored to be right around the corner.

Many reports say that Apple will unveil its smaller iPad at an Oct. 10 event, just a month after they unveiled the new iPhone 5, which was Sept. 12.

Some tech bloggers and analysts are saying what the mini tablet will have or not have. Let's look at these features that could change the tablet world, with popular tablets such as the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, and Microsoft Surface. 

Affordable Price

According to Pop Herald, Amazon's press release said that the Kindle Fire HD has 7-inch IPS LCD display with the best hardware, more affordable than other products, and the device is "backed by the world's best content ecosystem, best cross-platform interoperability and best customer service." In short, it is not targeting the Google Nexus 7, but the Apple iPad.

The newest iPad sells for $499 with Retina Display and 4G LTE. The iPad 3 sells for $399.

Pricing may be an issue for the little Apple tablet. The Kindle Fire HD with 16GB costs $199 while the 16GB Nexus 7 costs $249 with all the Android content. According to Pop Herald, "If Apple will sell the iPad Mini with a $249.99 price tag, then it will be safe to assume that Apple can sell "millions." But what if the iPad Mini will sit within the $300 to $399 mark? Can it still lure customers?"

According to one analyst, Apple might launch the iPad Mini at a $250-$300 price point, cheap enough to convince customers that the iPad Mini is a Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire alternative. Some say it will not have Retina Display.

Many believe that the iPad Mini will be priced similar to the new iPod Touch.

According to Ewan Spence at Forbes.com, he believes also that it will be around the same price as the Touch.

"From the evidence today, I'd expect to see a 16GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi connectivity to launch at $299, with a 32GB model at $399, and a 64GB model at $499."

According to ZDNet, an iPad Mini "would ideally need to be priced at or below $299 in order to remain competitive in the face of the iPad 2 and 3."

According to Digitimes, a source pointed out pricing for the small iPad, "as for the device's price, comparing to Amazon and Google's US$199 7-inch tablet PC, the sources pointed out that even if Apple prices its 7.85-inch iPad at US$299, it is still expected to create a strong impact on the two devices."

Screen Size

Reports say that the iPad Mini will feature a 7.85 inch IGZO display with 330 pixels/inch.

According to Enstarz, in October 2010, the late Steve Jobs commented on mid-sized tablets saying:

"The 10in screen size is the minimum size required to create great tablet apps. 7in tablets are tweeners: too big to compete with a Smartphone, and too small to compete with an iPad."

This could be why Apple is making the iPad Mini 7.85-inches instead of 7-inches like most small tablets. Although, the Kindle Fire HD comes in 8.9-inches and could hinder the mini's chances to compete.

Retina Display

Many say that the iPad Mini will not have Retina Display, which makes text crystal clear on the screen. The iPad already includes this feature. However, some are saying that this is needed on the iPad Mini.

"It'd make sense for Apple to launch the iPad Mini with a Retina Display. Going against its usual way of doing things, especially in light of Steve Jobs' comments about that particular size, is a bold move. And bold moves require big USPs," said Rob Bamforth, Quo Circa analyst and regular Know Your Mobile columnist.

"However, if it indeed priced attractively and equipped with iOS 6's navigation features and optimized for eBooks, we could see the device selling very well," Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes said, according to FinancialPost. "As a result, if investors were to anticipate this product, along with a 'regular' 9.7" iPad coming in March, then it is hard to argue much of a sell-off for Apple."

Release Date

Another concern is the release date. Rumors first said that Apple would announce the iPad Mini at a special event on Sept. 12, which is when the iPhone 5 was unveiled. However, Apple will likely unveil the iPad Mini in October. Google's Nexus 7 is already on the market. The Kindle Fire HD is taking pre-orders and will be available Sept. 14, just about a month ahead of the iPad Mini release date.

According to BusinessDayOnline, expectations are sky high for a fall launch.

"An October launch after iPhone 5 madness has settled is most likely, and would be good timing going up against the October 26 debut of Windows 8," the report said.

WiFi Only

According to Forbes, citing analyst Allan Yogasingam of the research firm, UBM TechInsights, Light Reading reported today that Apple is likely to make the widely expected 7-inch version of the iPad Wi-Fi only in an effort to keep the price tag of the device below $250.

In comparison to the new Kindle Fire HD, Amazon is only offering a WiFi version of the 7-inch version, which is priced at $199. Amazon is offering an 8.9-inch version for $299; for $499 they double the memory and add 4G LTE capability.

Google also offers the Nexus 7 with WiFi.

Yogasingam said the device could also be lacking any back-mounted image sensor as a cost-saving move.

Reports say the iPad Mini will be more affordable and come with a powerful processor. It is also assumed that the new tablet will feature Apple's upcoming operating system, iO6, which includes a new, Google-free Maps app, and Passbook, and promises better Facebook integration, better maps, and better video conferences that use cellular data and Siri. It is also said to have a smaller dock connector, two speakers, and thinner bezel. It may also feature a music service similar to Pandora radio, Retina Display, and FaceTime.

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