Release date for both the iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 is likely to happen on Oct 25 or 10 days after the purported unveiling of the refreshed iOS tablets, according to new reports.

The latest estimate, according to Gotta Be Mobile, is not provided by any Apple insiders or Apple-focused analysts. Rather, the schedule is patterned after the tech giant's release calendar that was used last year.

It should be noted that the 2012 iPad lineup was unwrapped in late October of the same year and push out followed on Nov 2, the same GBM report said. D-Day for this year is likely to come a few days earlier, which suits well with persistent whispers that an Oct 15 Apple is in the offing and the new iPad builds will be the centre of the product revelation.

As the possible rollout details begin to shape up, eyes are gradually retrained on what the tech giant is actually cooking up for the twin iPad servings, which according to long-circulating rumours have taken the new form of leaner but meaner machines - shaving off the bulks of the old models but gaining more powerful internals.

These talks aside, three likely specs have emerged as confirmed additions to the already solid iPad pull and they are listed below:

Smaller footprints with fresh finishes to choose from

The prevailing discourse about the new iPad editions is their revised form-factor, which analysts said is wholly based on the million-selling iPad Mini design. As such, the tablets are expected to share the same look, differing only in dimensions that match with the 9.7-inch profile of the iPad 5 and 7.9-inch of the iPad Mini 2.

Another sure thing is the shrunk casing for both devices, which is for overflowing dosage of sex appeal, and the new colour options of gold, silver and gray that will replace the old hues. It is assumed too that these revisions will be equally applied to the two tablets.

The next iOS 7 build

Not even a month old and Apple fans are already clamouring for a major iOS 7 update, which should eliminate key platform issues such as security holes and sluggishness. True, most of the problems have been dealt with as Apple deployed the iOS 7.0.2 patch with the 7.0.3 already in the testing phase and should be up for distribution in the next few days.

But for the two iPads, the iOS world is expecting a mobile OS that is fully-attuned with slate use, which should mean optimal tablet experience. So it should not be too much of a surprise for Apple to stuff the freshly-built iPads this month with the iOS 7.1 that is exclusively configured for tablet environment, spanning full and compact sizes.

Infinite internal storage, almost

This is a dream but somehow the prayers will be answered with Apple delivering a 128GB iPad variant. The build is not without precedent as the tech giant has unleashed the same configuration earlier this year.

This time, however, the capacious flash drive could also make it to the Mini 2, which could make the product a bit more irresistible as users are set to enjoy a virtually unlimited digital locker for their library of movies, music and e-books. Such a big room is almost confirmed to be part of the iPad 5 out of the box but who knows, Apple might just make millions of Mini fans very happy by giving them full access to the same capability.

Buyers, however, will need to brace for the huge cash setback that comes with a 128GB iPad, which retailed at $800 for the fourth-gen iOS 6 slate.

As mentioned, release date for both the iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5 is tentatively set on Oct 25 but before that, all eyes are set on the Oct 15 media event that Apple will reportedly stage.