Apple is likely to release the iPad Mini 2 in the second half of 2013, and it will be powered by an A6 processing chip but without the major update that buyers are hoping for - the high-resolution Retina display panel.

In a report by 9to5Mac, three iPad Mini models were allegedly being tested. Basing on codes discovered by a developer in the iOS 7 SDK, the final Mini 2 build could hit the market with an A6 CPU, but Retina-laced screen will not be part of the small tablet menu from Apple.

The developer was identified as Nick Frey, who reportedly detected the following code: "s5l8950x," which refers to A6 processing chip. Further scrutiny of the SDK code details also revealed the absence of "@2x," which, according to MacRumors, is an artwork coding that is directly related to Retina display rendering.

The revealed codes, however, pointed to two possible scenarios - either Apple is testing a current iPad Mini model, hence the absence of higher display resolution or the tech giant is already in the final stage of completing the second version of its hit 7.9-inch slate.

Also, the report contradicted earlier assertions made by KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo that no iPad Mini 2 releases should be expected anytime in 2013 - not the Retina version nor the cheaper edition.

Mr Kuo insisted that Apple was still grappling with component and production glitches that volume shipments of the Mini 2 can only be fulfilled by the latter part of Q1 2014. His forecast pointed to a release date of between March and April of the same year.

The KGI analyst also doused water on glimmering hopes that at least the affordable Mini 2 will be out by December 2013. Such move, he said, would not redound to good business for Apple.

If anything, the earliest consumers can get a hold on the low-cost iPad Mini 2 will be between January and March 2014, that is if Apple should find it appropriate to go for a simultaneous release with the rumoured Apple phablet - the iPhone 6.