It may take a bit longer before the iPad Mini 2 is issued, new reports said, while the fifth-gen 9.7-inch is on its way for a grand release date on September with updated specs and a new compact look.

The iPad 5, according to Apple Insider, is taking on a fresh profile with its overall heft essentially trimmed down, likely sporting "more rounded edges and a thinner bezel," when compared to the four previous builds.

Citing reports by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, Apple Insider revealed too that Retina display and battery improvements will be part of the new iPad 5 package - extending its operating hours and reducing the backlight LED tubes to one.

Volume production of the bigger iPad, set to be powered by iOS 7, should commence in early August, prepping the way for a global rollout in the following month with no expectations of further delays.

"Pilot production of the device is allegedly already able to satisfy demand for the initial launch," the same report said.

The same, however, is not the case with the second edition of the million-selling iPad Mini, which is expected to hit the market in two versions - one with Retina and the other with a lower retail price, probably no more than $US240.

DigiTimes hinted that the Mini 2 would have to come out a little later following the debut of its bigger brother. It appears that the final make of the 7.9-inch tablet remains in the drawing boards.

Apple, the same report suggested, remains undecided if the Mini 2 should crash the scene with Retina in tow because including the high-resolution display panel could push back the device's release date late into Q4 2013.

Another consideration is the supposed new iPad Mini design blueprint, which will make the iOS 7 slate virtually without bezel around its screen, thereby cutting down its weight by up to 25 per cent as implied in previous research notes issued by KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo.

The two tablets will share some specs such as the GF2 touchscreen technology and the A7X processing chip that Samsung will supply.