The launch of the second-gen Nexus 7 could be closer than we think and it could tout a high-end screen made by Japan Display and AU Optronics.

According to CNET, "Google may get its second-generation small tablet into consumers' hands before Apple does." The site has learnt this information from market research firm IHS and disclosed that Japan Display Inc. and AU Optronics (AUO) are anticipated to make the display for the second-gen Nexus 7 tablet. The device, however, will not be made by ASUS, but by Quanta.

"As far as I know, JDI and AUO didn't start to supply this panel to Quanta yet. However, they are saying it will start from June and July," said Ricky Park, head of research for TV, Tablet, Monitor and Notebooks display at IHS, per CNET

However, the tablet has apparently passed through the FCC and lists ASUS as the manufacturer.

Park also revealed that the "launch...of the Nexus 7 II" is "not far." Rumors are also rife that Google will announce the second-gen Nexus 7 in July. The tablet is speculated to sport a price tag of $229.

The original Nexus 7 featured a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution display and the next-gen version is expected to up the ante and will tout a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The new Nexus 7 is also rumored to house a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon Pro processor, which is clocked at 1.5GHz.

What's more, Google is also expected to include a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera in the new Nexus 7 tablet, a feature that is missing in the current-gen Nexus 7.

The Nexus 7 is among the best-selling smaller tablets available in the market and its successor will have big shoes to fill, given the expectations. With the tablet slated to launch in July and allegedly packing in a high-end display, Apple's iPad mini 2 could well be in for some stiff competition.