A new rumour from iMore points out to Apple sticking to its yearly iPad launch cycle of March/April, contradicting earlier rumours of Apple pushing iPad launch dates to October. After releasing iPad 3 with retina display last year it was a shocker when iPad 4 was announced merely 7 months after iPad 3 was launched. Soon rumours started to circulate around that Apple will be pushing its yearly launch dates of iPad and iPad mini to October rather than march.
If recent leaks of iPad 5 cases reveal iPad mini like design making it thinner and possible lighter as well. Apple might very well use edge to edge displays with thinner bezel thus reducing the overall size of iPad 5 by still retaining the screen size.
We have been receiving multiple leaks of iPad 5 cases but there is no conclusive evidence as far as the next generation of iPad mini is considered, all we have for now is prediction of iPad mini sporting a Retina display along with iPad 5. But analysts claim that iPad mini size retina displays are not yet being manufactured yet and also sporting such a display on iPad mini will need new battery technology which isnt ready yet. So if Apple were to launch iPad mini 2 along side the rumoured April launch of iPad 5 then we might not expect huge changes in iPad mini.
Recent sales already show a sharp decline in demand for iPad after iPad mini has been launched, we have to see how the market reacts once iPad mini sports a retina display making it even more valuable.