Reports claimed that Apple cut down iPad Mini shipments in preparation for the release of iPad Mini 2 release date.

iPad Mini is only six months old, but rumours are pointing to an iPad Mini 2 release date in the third quarter of 2013.

The latest news comes from DigiTimes, which compiled tips from industry sources in the Apple supply chain. This report claims Apple is reducing shipments of the iPad mini in the second quarter of 2013.

The decrease may be as high as 20 per cent on month during April, the sources noted, and may continue to slightly decrease throughout the quarter to bring total shipments of the iPad mini to as low as 10 million units during the quarter.

The iPad mini shipment cut information reportedly come from multiple sources in the supply chain, and point to Apple making adjustments for the next iPad mini, a device that many are calling the iPad mini 2. The shipment reduction is also reportedly due to increased competition in the 7-inch tablet sector.

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.

However, the Cupertino-based company remained tight-lipped on the rumours and on its plans for this year.