Is this the back of the Apple iPad mini?

New pictures obtained by Chinese site NetEase purport to be of the rumoured Apple iPad mini. The images show what appears to be the back casing and show dual grills framing a smaller dock connector on the bottom of the device. One picture seems to compare it to the larger 9.7-inch iPad.

Rumoured Apple iPad mini back

Rumoured Apple iPad mini back

The part sports the iPad branding and appears to be less tapered than its larger cousin. Apple may have had to compromise to fit all the necessary components into the smaller device.

The report adds that the part in question did not have a SIM slot, suggesting that this part could be for the Wi-Fi-only model.

Apple could announce the iPad mini at its September 12th event. It could also, as rumours have suggested, announce it at its own event in October.

Read more: NetEase (in Chinese) [Google translation] (Source: Electronista)