Rumors about the next-generation iPad mini have been floating around for a while now. Though the smaller-version of the Apple tablet went on to become a huge hit, missing Retina Display has been a subject of criticism and so, it's heavily speculated that the iPad mini 2 will come with Apple's now signature Retina Display.

The latest rumor is that the Cupertino tech giant will introduce a 7.9-inch Retina Display to iPad mini 2 which is identical to full-size fourth-generation iPad with Retina display, according to investment news wire BrightWire (via Chinese website My Drivers).
The alleged iPad mini 2 will feature a high-resolution Retina Display of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which is four times the pixel density than that of the first iPad mini. Packing these many pixels into a smaller device would mean that the pixel density of iPad mini with Retina Display will be as high as 324 pixels per inch (ppi). It should be noted that iPad 3 and 4 have 264 ppi Retina screens and iPhone 5 has a density of 326 ppi, just short of the rumored iPad mini 2.

There are reasons to believe that the rumor may turn out to be true. Firstly, it's not the first time we are hearing about Retina Display coming to iPad mini. Back in November, it was reported that iPad mini display maker AUO is working on a 2,048x1,536 pixel resolution display for the next iPad mini. Secondly, Apple would no longer want to continue with its grainy 163 pixels-per-inch display, especially when there are several other tablets of the same size class coming out with better display technologies.

It's reported that the device is already heading to AU Optronics for production. "The 7.9-inch, 2048 x 1536, 324 ppi display panel that will be mounted on the iPad mini 2 is said to be already set for pilot production by AU Optronics," App Advice reports. In addition, iPad mini 2 is speculated to feature an A5X dual-core processor as its quad-core graphics unit will be able to power the device's Retina screen.

The first-generation iPad mini was launched on Nov. 2, 2012 with a non-Retina Display resolution of 1024 x 768 and the device weighs just 0.68 pounds and measures just 7.2 mm thick.