Apple has hung onto the retina display feature for quite a while now, it has been added onto the iPhone for the past three years and has since been available on the iPad 3 and above, the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and the fifth generation iPod Touch.
The original iPad Mini comes with the iPad 2 1024×768 resolution, rather shoddy in comparison to the Nexus 7 (2013) and Kindle Fire HDX, both coming with high-resolution 1080p screens at a cheaper price.
With the retina display, Apple could bump the iPad Mini above and beyond what Google and Amazon are shipping, with the iPad 4 resolution at 2048×1536. There is downscaling done on smaller screens, but perhaps Apple could go the extra mile and add a huge resolution to the smaller iPad.
Apple will not just add a nicer display, the iPad Mini is set for a full upgrade in terms of internal specs, most looking exactly the same as the iPhone 5 specs. We believe Apple will add the A6 processor and a slightly larger battery, alongside a new thinner and lighter build.
Price should stay the same, there is no reason why Apple would drop the price any lower and they may even push it up $20/30. It is not unlike Apple to bump up prices on their products, they may drop $100 off the iPad Mini price.
We are just one day from finding out all about the new iPad Mini, it would be a shame if Apple decides the retina display can wait until next year, especially with all the new competition.