The iPad Mini 2 could be released at an earlier date due to the high demand on the product and expectations of the consumers.

It is most likely that tech giant Apple will capitalize on the success of iPad Mini, which is built with the same internal hardware as Apple's iPad 2. Despite being in the market for a short time, the iPad Mini sparked interest. Thus, it is most likely that we will see the iPad Mini 2 before it turns one this year with greater specs and features.

This is contradicted by previous reports which claimed that the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 release dates are delayed by shortages on one of the key components of the devices.

Taiwanese mobile-industry news site DigiTimes cited sources who claimed that Apple's chief supplier of thin-film touch sensors, Nissha, has reported severe shortages due to "a lack of production capacity".

The sensors are reportedly intended to feature in the next iterations of the iPad and its junior stablemate, which some claim could launch simultaneously during the second quarter. To attempt to fulfil demand, the company intends to boost output by 30 percent before the end of the first quarter of the year.

This problem may be one of the possible causes why Apple abort its calendar and delayed that launch of the devices indefinitely.

On the other hand, Apple's iPad Mini 2 will obviously offer Retina display to differentiate itself from its predecessor. However, Apple is struggling from supply constraints. The good news is that the Cupertino-based company is preparing to launch the next generation iPad Mini with a screen boasting of a higher resolution than the Retina Display equipped current iPad 4. The retina Display of the next generation iPad Mini will be 324 ppi which is miles ahead of the iPad 4 screens' 264 ppi display.

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.