Rumor has it that the iPad Mini 2 release will coincide with the festive Christmas holiday, according to Breathe Cast. Apple is said to be releasing the second-generation iPad Mini in December, alongside the iPad 5. No exact date has been given for the release.

Tech Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities claims that an Apple insider told him in an interview that the release date of the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 is confirmed to be in the fourth quarter of 2013. Kuo said, "We predict Apple will launch new iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 (so called retina iPad mini) in 4Q13. As the tablet market becomes increasingly competitive, Apple could upgrade the camera as a selling point for the new iPad in a bid to increase competitiveness. We expect the upgrade will include 8 MP rear camera, up from 5MP, and a larger aperture. Lens module ASP will rise 10-20% on this optics spec upgrade," according to Breath Cast.

The iPad Mini 2 is hotly anticipated by excited consumers as it is expected to be an improved version of the iPad Mini. Apple fans are especially keen in exploring its "Retina" display, which reportedly boasts of powerful 8MP camera, with a larger aperture, reports Design & Trend. Rumors are swirling that the iPad Mini 2 may come in two tones, silvery white and space gray. There will reportedly be no major changes on the physical appearance of iPad Mini 2.

In September, the web went abuzz about the iPad Mini 2 coming in gold tone, with allegedly leaked pictures of the gadget flooding cyberspace (take a look here), according to International Business Times. In the same string of rumors, the iPad Mini 2 is also said to have the Touch ID feature. Many Apple fans and experts however, say that the photos are fake and that Touch ID may not be carried on the second-generation iPad Mini just yet.

Apple is gearing up to ship off 11.7 million units of the iPad Mini 2 before this year ends.