Rumour: Samsung Securities document claims Apple will release a 7-inch iPad mini in Q3 2012

According to a Samsung Securities document uncovered by website OLED Display, Apple will release a 7-inch "iPad mini" in the third quarter of this year.

"Following the success of its iPad 1 and iPad 2, which have together achieved sales of 55m units, Apple plans in 1Q12 to launch the iPad 3 and in 3Q12 a new 7-inch product temporarily referred to as the iPad mini," the document reads.

"The company is reportedly aiming to sell more than 100m iPads in 2012, and plans to use higher-resolution IPS panels in the iPad 3."

There have been numerous rumours regarding a smaller iPad in the past, and there's a good chance Samsung - given it manufactures several of the components in Apple's devices - has an idea of what the Cupertino-based company has in store.

However, Apple's former CEO Steve Jobs said back in 2010 that a 7-inch slate is simply too small and a 10-inch screen is the "minimum necessary" to ensure a decent tablet user experience.

It's entirely possible that Tim Cook and the rest of the gang up at Apple HQ feel differently, but we remain sceptical.