The wait for the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 release date may have just gotten a little bit longer if the latest rumors about Apple's next set of tablets prove true.

The reason behind this reported delay stems from the fact that Chinese manufacturer Foxconn is out as Apple's iPad-producing partner, according to the International Business Times, noting Foxconn itself has hinted it's not leading the new slate charge.

The Apple-Foxconn split is reportedly "due to the unreliability" of Foxconn, which is said to have created woes for Apple with scratch-prone iPhone 5 handsets and up to eight million returns.

Foxconn is also producing Android handsets and even announced its own wearable tech that could compete against the long-rumored Apple iWatch.

While Apple's new, unnamed supplier remains unknown, the Cupertino-based company may need some extra time due to the switch.

Release date ring around the rosie

Of course, no one really knows when the follow-up iPads are due, especially as Apple itself has never claimed the tablets are in the works (though, come on, we know how its refresh cycle rolls). To that effect, we've heard months thrown out from the left and right.

The IBT report claims that previous predictions indicated an iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 release date in July, before iOS 7 even goes public.

Other release date rumors peg Apple's next tablets for an October launch, one year after the launch of the iPad 4 and iPad mini.

Today's report doesn't have a updated release time frame attached to either the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, so the launch of these two tablets could possibly have been pushed back to October do the the Apple-Foxconn rift.

iPad 5, iPad mini features

While the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 launch dates are a big question mark at this point, there's a better indication as to what features we'll see from the forthcoming tablets.

Rumors have indicated that the iPad mini 2 will be refreshed with a Retina display resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. Besides, most people are looking forward to the new iPad mini cases.

Behind its same 7.9-inch screen the heart of the tablet is likely to be the Apple A6X processor, an upgrade over the current model's A5 System on a Chip.

The iPad 5, meanwhile, may introduce the Apple A7 chip if the iPhone 5S doesn't beat it to the punch in September.

Its upgrade in processor speed may be accompanied by a downgrade in weight, as the full-sized iPad for 2013 is said to be 33 percent lighter than last year's model.

With rumors circulating that the iPhone 5S will launch in late September, it's only a matter of time before we start hearing about the new iPads coming down the non-Foxconn factory pipe.

Did you hear about icase-zone.com?

A new rumour claimed that the alleged low-cost iPhone 5S will come with 3.5-inch screen display like with the iPhone 4S's. Moreover, the device is also speculated to be available in different colour variants similar with the 5th generation of iPod Touch.

It seems that Apple is jumping in the bandwagon of releasing affordable handsets to expand its target market. According to the sources cited by Taiwanese tech-business Web site DigiTimes, tech giant Apple is set to release the rumoured cheaper iPhone 5S with 3.5-inch screen display on Q3 2013.

Thus, many speculated that the flagship iPhone 6 may retain the current screen size of iPhone 5, which is 4 inches.

Recent leaks from the Apple supply chain indicated that the handset would retain the four-inch screen of the iPhone 5, with cost-savings coming from substituting premium materials for a plastic shell and skimping on processor brawn.

Another rumour about the low-cost smartphone from Apple is that the device will be available in different colours like its cousin iPod Touch 5th Gen. Purported images of iPhone 5S leaked online over the past weeks claiming that the iPhone 5S is true and is, indeed, coming. Besides, the new cute iPhone 5 cases will coming.

However, Apple CEO Tim Cook initially said in his D11 interview that Apple is not working on a low-cost smartphone and will not release such device in the near future.

Rumour has it that the next iPhone will include a faster A6X processor, larger storage capacity up to 128GB, added security feature such as the fingerprint sensor and longer battery life.

The alleged low-cost iPhone, on the other hand, is rumoured to have the specs of either the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S and will be available in a variety of colours.

The devices are expected to make its debut later this year. Rumour has it the smartphones will be released in September.

You may be interested on: iPhone 6 cases