iPad mini 2 release date, news and rumours

Though the iPad mini has been on sale for only a few days, rumors are already circulating about its replacement.

The story goes that the iPad mini 2 will have an even sharper display of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels packed into the same 7.9-inch space.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Doug Freedman - who was in China visiting chip companies in mid-December 2012 said: "iPad Mini Gen-2: Apple's gen-2 iPad mini is getting pulled-in, and is likely to have several new suppliers, with TXN gaining content."

So could that mean the iPad mini 2 release date is early 2013?

It seems like Apple has been surprised by the iPad mini demand, although there are no real sales numbers for the device from Apple as yet. iPad mini supply will be short until the new year it seems.

iPad Mini 2 display

That is the same resolution as the grownup iPad 4 with Retina display, and the next mini should either have that Retina tech or something similar.

Since the mini is much smaller, it means even more pixels can be cramped into every inch; the mini 2 is said to have a crisp 324 ppi density.

Upping the screen resolution isn't the most surprising upgrade for the potential iPad mini 2.

The biggest criticism of the current iPad mini so far is its 1,024 x 768 resolution. Critics wonder why a Retina display wasn't incorporated into the first iPad mini to begin with.

Cynics will say Apple went with a lower resolution so it had some low hanging fruit to grab for the next upgrade. Production problems surrounding the iPad mini might also be the culprit.

Anand Lal Shimpi and Vivek Gowri of Anandtech suggest that there are three things Apple has to do to bring a retina display to the iPad mini.

iPad mini 2 price

Just a few weeks ago, reports said the iPad mini's steep price point of $329 (£269/AU$369) was due to manufacturing difficulties.

The new GF DITO touchscreen technology that helps make the mini so small is reportedly one of many production hurdles.

AU Optronics (AUO), the company that produces the current iPad mini LCD panels, was also having yield issues with the mini screens at first, so a Retina-like display could have caused additional production headaches.

However, AUO claims it smoothed out production problems surrounding the current panels, already resolving the light leak issues that held up fabrication.

Despite construction constraints, there are still plenty of the present iPad minis to go around.

iPad mini 2 release date

The mini went on sale last Friday to a lukewarm reception, and though Apple sold out of the tiny tablets in some places, they are still fairly easy to find.

It seems like Apple might have to do a little more than pump up the screen resolution to get consumers excited for the next pint-sized iPad.

With production of the sharper screens projected to start by the later half of 2013, Apple has the iPad mini 2, or whatever Cupertino decides to call it.