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As Taiwan’s United Daily reports ^[2] (via Unwired View ^[3]), Apple received samples of 7.85-inch displays with the 1024x768 resolution of current iPads. LG Display and AU Optronics send these samples to Apple, which is reportedly set to launch the "iPad mini" early 2012.

It is not known how Apple and its developer team would handle significantly smaller display with the same resolution as on current iPads. While iPad apps would work natively with the iPad mini, but the interface elements would be smaller and this reduction could result in some usability issues.

Apple is reportedly interested in expanding its market potential by entering into more price sensitive segment and fending off the Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet that is planned to launch in November at a $199 price. Besides, analyst Brian White from Ticonderoga Securities noted that “mini” refers to a cheaper tablet and not necessarily smaller.