iPhone 5 & iPad mini likely launching Sept. 21

Both the next generation iPhone and a new, smaller version of the iPad are rumored to be announced during an official Apple event September 12, with a retail release to follow on September 21.

The news comes from sources obtained by Apple blog iMore, which has correctly predicted both the iPad 3 launch and iPhone 4S pre-order dates in the past.

The launch date of the next generation iPhone (referred to by most as the iPhone 5) would make sense because of the leaked iPhone 5 parts that were recently assembled and photographed, as VentureBeat reported. If the launch is just over a month away, it seems more likely that parts for the device could be obtained. If the announcement/launch dates are correct, it would mark 11 months since the company announced the iPhone 4S.

As for the new iPad product, many are speculating that Apple will release a 7.85-inch iPad that has essentially the same specs as the third-generation 10-inch iPad. The smaller iPad version would naturally compete with other popular 7-inch tablets, such as the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7.

IMore’s sources also indicated that a new version of Apple’s iPod Touch could debut during the event but didn’t give any specifications on what would be different about it.

iPad mini concept photo via CiccareseDesign