The highly-popular iPad mini, which launched in October this year, is still one of the most popular tablets and Apple is struggling to keep up with the market demand. Not surprisingly, recent reports suggest that iPad mini's global shipment may reach as high as 12 million units by the end of 2012.

DigiTimes reported that previous estimates suggested that Apple will sell over 8 million units of iPad mini which was increased to 10 million units. Per supply chain sources, due to high demand of the iPad mini the sales estimation is now further increased to 12 million units.

"Apple originally estimated shipments of 10 million iPad minis for 2012, but due to component shortages caused by weak yields, Apple later adjusted the volume to only 6-8 million units. However, with yield rates improving, iPad mini shipments for the first two months of the fourth quarter have already surpassed eight million units, and should successfully break 10 million for the quarter with a chance to reach 12 million, the sources noted," reported DigiTimes.

DigiTimes further reported that sources in the supply chain supplied 4 million to 4.5 million iPad mini's worth of components in October and November this year. The supply of components is expected to be the same in December. Furthermore, the report also suggests that supplies will be at about the same level in the first quarter of 2013 as well.

The widespread popularity of iPad mini is not hidden as many reports suggest that the 7.9-inch tablet will cannibalize on the company's 9.7-inch iPad. Rumors are also surfacing that Apple may launch the second-generation iPad mini 2 with a better display. The wait for the iPad mini 2 may not be long as previous reports indicate that Apple has already started preparing for the production of the next-gen iPad mini.