The rumor mill has been working overtime and the latest buzz is that Apple's second-gen smaller tablet, iPad mini 2, may not release alongside the new iPad 5.
Previously, rumors hinted that Apple would unveil the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 together in the second half of 2013. However, according to an International Business Times report, the iPad mini 2 will be released after the iPad 5 is launched and the production of both the tablets is slated to begin between July - August 2013.
"Apple's 7-inch tablet may hold a separate release date from the company's full size tablet. It is most likely that iPad Mini 2 release date will be held after the iPad 5 launch. Apple iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 production is expected to begin in July-August 2013," notes an IBTimes report.
Recently, reports suggested that Apple could launch the fifth-gen iPad in April by itself, with noted analysts opining that Apple was moving to a bi-annual schedule for the iPad refresh. If this conjecture holds true, then the iPad mini 2 could well make an appearance in September or October, a year after the first-gen smaller tablet's launch.
Rumors point to an improved resolution and Retina Display for the iPad mini 2. The second-gen tablet is speculated to have a much better screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels vis-a-vis- the iPad mini's 1024 x768 pixels, which is nearly four times the resolution of the current-gen tablet and equal to that of the iPad 4. The pixel density is also set to jump from 163 ppi to 324 ppi.
The iPad mini 2 is also conjectured to pack in a more powerful processor, possibly the new A7 or A6X, improving on the iPad mini's A5 SoC.
Reports also reveal that Apple could use Corning's new Gorilla Glass 3 for the iPad mini 2. The Gorilla Glass 3 is said to give a 40 percent strength boost to devices, which means that the iPad mini 2 will be sturdier than its predecessor. The iPad mini 2 could also be more svelte and have an improved camera.
With new rumors emerging almost every day, we'll just have to wait and see when Apple unveils the iPad mini 2. Whether it will be a double whammy with iPad 5 or just iPad mini 2 hogging the limelight remains to be seen.
Who knows, Apple could surprise us all and release the iPhone 6 and iPad mini 2 together.
