Apple has unveiled its widely-anticipated 7.9in (20.1cm) tablet, the iPad Mini, BBC News reported.

The device, which is 7.2mm (0.3in) thick and weighs 0.68lbs (0.3kg), was announced at an event in California. The iPad Mini will compete directly with cheaper similar-sized tablets recently launched by Google, Amazon, Samsung and others.

Apple's vice-president of marketing Phil Schiller told attendees that the device was 23% thinner and 53% lighter than the third-generation iPad, which was released in March this year.

Apple also announced a lower-key upgrade for the full-sized iPad.