Alleged pictures of the iPad Mini have been surfacing around the Internet as the release date is getting closer and closer.

KnowYourMobile.com reported that an image of what's said to be the die cast mound for the iPad Mini has appeared online next to a white iPhone 4S. It could be what the little Apple tablet would look like in its final design.

The leak came from Giga.de, which managed to snap some pictures of the alleged iPad Mini at IFA 2012.

Many expect the iPad mini to feature a 7.85-inch display similar to the 1024x768 resolution IPS setup present on the iPad 2. However, according to KnowYourMobile, there be a chance that Apple will put in a Retina Display on the device in order to enter the 7-inch slate space with a bang. The feature will text, images, and games look crisp and smooth. It is already on other Apple products.

"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.

MacRumors worked with CiccareseDesign to create a new set of renderings and even a 3D model of the iPad Mini. They have put it together with other leaked photos and numerous rumored parts of the design. [SEE IT HERE]

Blog site Apple.pro claims to have photographed the 8-inch iPad [SEE PHOTOS]

According to the Mashable, the most surprising difference in the mockup, sourced from an online commerce website, seems to be the significantly thinner bezel around the screen.

Along with a cellular data antenna, the mockup seems to be very thin and features a smaller dock connector just like the next-generation iPhone. The unit also seems to have larger speakers near the dock.

Many reports said that Apple will hold a special event on Sept. 12 and will release the iPhone 5 on Sept. 21. Earlier reports suggested that Apple will also announce the iPad Mini on the same event, but now new reports suggest that is highly unlikely, and that it will be at a separate event in October.

According to Tech Crunch, well-connected and professional Apple dot-connector John Gruber saod that there will be two separate events.

"I'm thinking it makes more sense for Apple to hold two events. First, an iPhone event, focused solely on the new iPhone and iOS 6. Then, the iPhone ships nine days later, and there's another wave of iPhone-focused attention as the reviews come out. Then, in the first or second week of October, Apple holds its traditional "music event", exactly along the lines of the events at which they've been debuting new iPods for the last decade," Gruber said.

Gizmodo reported that Gruber traditionally has been spot on when it comes to Apple things.

The price of the iPad Mini is rumored to be around $249.

Reports say that the new little iPad will feature a 7 to 8 inch IGZO display with 330 pixels/inch. It will be more affordable. 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, according to Entrepreneur.com. It is also said to have a smaller dock connector and thinner bezel.