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.

Apple is not expected to change the size of its tablet and so the next generation bigger Apple iPad will come with 9.7-inch screen with its signature Retina display. Both LG Display and Sharp are manufacturing the display of forthcoming Apple tablets. A latest report suggests that the next generation Apple slate will come with thin-film touch panels that will make it all the more thinner. Rumours claimed that the upcoming iPad 5 set to be released later this year will feature thin-film touch panels Apple uses in its iPad Mini.

A Digitimes report says that suppliers of thin-film panels are likely to see a significant increase in orders from Apple later this year, as the Cupertino based company prepares to release its fifth-generation iPad. Apple suppliers from China and Taiwan are preparing the same thin-film DITO (G/F2) touch screen technology as the iPad mini users for a major third-quarter push for the iPad 5. So expect a better looking iPad within the next few months.

According to reports, iPad Mini 2 will feature a screen with a resolution of 2048 x 1536. This is almost four times the resolution of the present iPad Mini and is equal to the fourth generation iPad which was released along with the iPad Mini last year. AU Optronics has been rumoured to be making displays for the iPad Mini 2.

Other specs include a more powerful dual core A7 processor and a 7.9 inch screen. It will also feature a 10-hour battery life, a FaceTime HD camera, and an iSight camera with 1080 pixels HD video recording. Apple is also trying to reduce the thickness of the iPad Mini 2 by using the Sharp's IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) technology in its screens.