Apple has held an October event in three out of the past four years, but is an event this month still likely after today's surprise iPad mini

The timing of the new release has taken many by surprise. Apple’s smallest iPad has a faster processor, more storage and support for Apple Intelligence.

Starting at $499 for the base model, the seventh-gen iPad Mini has the same chassis as its predecessor, but with a few upgrades including a new processor, support for Apple Intelligence, and double the storage. It also works with the latest Apple Pencil Pro. It's available for preorder now and ships October 23.