New images of the upcoming iPad Mini have now surfaced online, revealing that Apple is sticking to the first-gen tablet's design sensibilities.

If the latest leaked images are anything to go by, then the iPad mini and iPad mini 2 are virtually identical.

The latest images are courtesy of FanaticFone, which does not reveal the source of the images showing the rear cover of the alleged iPad mini 2.

"Yesterday we leaked pictures of the iPad 5 rear housing, and today we've got another leak for you; the rear housing of the iPad Mini 2! However, this leak is a bit disappointing, and not surprising as the rear housing of the new iPad Mini 2 is identical to its predecessor, the iPad Mini," reports FanaticFone.

The site also reveals that the only noticeable difference in the iPad mini 2 is the logo, which got a similar treatment as that found on the iPhone 5.

"Another thing to notice is that both the iPad 5 and the iPad Mini 2 Apple logo is no longer only printed on the cover but the logo is now its own mold implemented into the rear housing," observes the site.

The "iPad" name is missing from the rear housing, it remains uncertain at this point if the leaked images are of a prototype or the final version of the iPad mini 2.

With Apple apparently choosing to retain the aluminum body found in the iPad mini for the new generation, it would be interesting to see what changes the iPad mini 2 will pack under the hood.

Reports have been rife that the iPad mini 2 will sport a 7.9-inch Retina Display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536, which is four times better than that of the iPad mini and corresponds to that of the iPad 4.

The iPad mini 2 is also speculated to pack in the A6X processor found on the iPad 4 or the new A7 processor. Rumors also suggest that the iPad mini 2 will be thinner than the iPad mini and could boast Sharp's IGZO technology.

Whether the leaked pictures are authentic is anybody's guess (even though FanaticFone asserts they are) and should be taken with a pinch of salt.