9.7" iPad Pro's 'Excellent' Display is 'Major Upgrade' Over iPad Air 2

[NT1440]

Listen, I'm not an apple hater, I don't prefer windows, or android over apple, and vice versa. I'm not acting like the sky is falling.

Firmware update? Idk, honestly I don't. If the variable refresh rate is built into this device, and not changeable, a firmware update would be useless. It's possible its buggy at launch with some apps. I'd say they'll probably fix certain apps like youtube not displaying 60fps correctly, but again idk, it may be a byproduct of the choice to go with a completely different refresh rate, and i wouldn't be surprised if they do away with it in the next iteration of the pro 9.7. They should have at least gave the option to have it on or off at the choice of the user. Want longer battery usage? Then sacrifice some screen quality, but to have it stuck in that setting is a pretty bad decision.

What do you think determines what the refresh rate should be? It's a function of the timing chip. That means a firmware update will adjust the functionality. Unless you think that 240hz (with the Pencil) 60hz and 30hz are just somehow magically switched on without any software controlling it.

Honestly I'm seeing a tempest in a tea pot. I'm sorry that it bugs your eyes (I can understand how annoying that can be) but this doesn't point to a hardware design flaw at all.

Assuming it will be addressed in iOS 9.4 or 10, perhaps its a bit soon to write off this generation. I understand it's not going to work for you right now but once the new OS roles out I'd revisit and see if its better on your eyes.

 

[Mazz0928]

I have a 4th gen iPad, Air 2 and a new Pro. The Pro's screen is by far the best - the 4th gen is noticeably worse in almost every respect. If there is a refresh issue (the other iPads aren't with me at the moment to compare) it's something that can easily be fixed in software.

Nah, that's just misinformation. It's got color temp features, that doesn't equate to a huge difference. The wider color gamut is barely noticeable. I compared them side by side and have very good vision. Being an artist I can notice the smallest of differences, and you can't say screen without the refresh rate being involved. They correlate, because we don't just look at static images on this device. There's movement, and this once again isn't a defect, or a firmware issue. It was deliberately used to save battery. You can research it if you'd like. It's in a few Ipad pro preview articles.
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What do you think determines what the refresh rate should be? It's a function of the timing chip. That means a firmware update will adjust the functionality. Unless you think that 240hz (with the Pencil) 60hz and 30hz are just somehow magically switched on without any software controlling it.

Honestly I'm seeing a tempest in a tea pot. I'm sorry that it bugs your eyes (I can understand how annoying that can be) but this doesn't point to a hardware design flaw at all.

So, you're advocating that even though everything points to apple hardware having an aging process where devices become slower, somehow the hardware will get better and they will firmware update the screen to consistently produce 60fps? I doubt it. I'm really not trying to do anything. I wanted so much to like the ipad pro 9.7, but the screen is worse right now than both my ipad 4th gen, and the airs, and this article saying "major", just lol.

 

[zhenya]

Nah, that's just misinformation. It's got color temp features, that doesn't equate to a huge difference. The wider color gamut is barely noticeable. I compared them side by side and have very good vision. Being an artist I can notice the smallest of differences, and you can't say screen without the refresh rate being involved. They correlate, because we don't just look at static images on this device. There's movement, and this once again isn't a defect, or a firmware issue. It was deliberately used to save battery. You can research it if you'd like. It's in a few Ipad pro preview articles.
[doublepost=1460553377][/doublepost]

So, you're advocating that even though everything points to apple hardware having an aging process where devices become slower, somehow the hardware will get better and they will firmware update the screen to consistently produce 60fps? I doubt it. I'm really not trying to do anything. I wanted so much to like the ipad pro 9.7, but the screen is worse right now than both my ipad 4th gen, and the airs, and this article saying "major", just lol.

That's your opinion vs. my opinion, with the people who measure and rate displays objectively for a living making specific claims, backed by data, as to why the new screen is so much better. If you can't see the difference between the iPad 4 screen and the new Pro screen, I have to question your concerns about the refresh rate as well.

 

[NT1440]

So, you're advocating that even though everything points to apple hardware having an aging process where devices become slower, somehow the hardware will get better and they will firmware update the screen to consistently produce 60fps? I doubt it. I'm really not trying to do anything. I wanted so much to like the ipad pro 9.7, but the screen is worse right now than both my ipad 4th gen, and the airs, and this article saying "major", just lol.

No offense, but you've made it clear in your previous posts that you don't understand how software and hardware interact.

It's not the device for you right now, but your "artistic" opinion simply doesn't matter in this realm. If there is a flaw in the variable refresh rate switching (bumping from 30hz to 60, and 240hz) it CAN be addressed via firmware, because that's what is in charge of the switch in the first place. There's no way to switch "modes" without that command being sent to the display, which is again a function of software (and the display driver hardware).

As for the underlined, just....don't. Nerds raging on the internet about a perceived elaborate plan to "force" users to upgrade by slowing down devices is not only misguided, it's just sad. Please don't point to forums filled with anal-rententive types as evidence of anything. Machines may become slower for certain functions as time moves on and the OS gets more complex, but it's not someone at Apple in their swivel chair with a white cat plotting against the armchair software developers on macrumors.

 

[Mazz0928]

That's your opinion vs. my opinion, with the people who measure and rate displays objectively for a living making specific claims, backed by data, as to why the new screen is so much better. If you can't see the difference between the iPad 4 screen and the new Pro screen, I have to question your concerns about the refresh rate as well.

That's your right, doesn't mean much to me, I know what I see, and am not going to just believe what I'm told. Is the ipad pro screen better because it provides a warmer tone, and a minimal wider gamut? If the refresh rate was up to par then yea, but you can't just factor that out like you're trying to do. both are part of the display. The more options are better, but the screen is worse because of the refresh rate. So, there. If there was no refresh rate problem, it would be a better screen for sure.
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No offense, but you've made it clear in your previous posts that you don't understand how software and hardware interact.

It's not the device for you right now, but your "artistic" opinion simply doesn't matter in this realm. If there is a flaw in the variable refresh rate switching (bumping from 30hz to 60, and 240hz) it CAN be addressed via firmware, because that's what is in charge of the switch in the first place. There's no way to switch "modes" without that command being sent to the display, which is again a function of software (and the display driver hardware).

As for the underlined, just....don't. Nerds raging on the internet about a perceived elaborate plan to "force" users to upgrade by slowing down devices is not only misguided, it's just sad. Please don't point to forums filled with anal-rententive types as evidence of anything. Machines may become slower for certain functions as time moves on and the OS gets more complex, but it's not someone at Apple in their swivel chair with a white cat plotting against the armchair software developers on macrumors.

If it was such an easy fix, then why is it still there? that's a simple critical thought to consider. One that tells me it's not just an easy firmware update. Obviously it could be fixed. I'm not trying to say it can't be fixed with an update. What I'm saying is why does the problem exist at launch, and maybe there's a reason they released the ipad like this, and I'm not advocating they hinder older devices to make users upgrade. I'm saying older tech simply ages. That's just elementary knowledge on how these product cycles work.

I believe the ipad pro 9.7 also has a different panel, this could be part of the problem as well. On the outside we can sit here and say it's just a simple update, but really how was this considered acceptable. Scrolling and reading text is better on virtually every previous version of the Ipad.

 

[zhenya]

That's your right, doesn't mean much to me, I know what I see, and am not going to just believe what I'm told. Is the ipad pro screen better because it provides a warmer tone, and a minimal wider gamut? If the refresh rate was up to par then yea, but you can't just factor that out like you're trying to do. both are part of the display. The more options are better, but the screen is worse because of the refresh rate. So, there. If there was no refresh rate problem, it would be a better screen for sure.

I'll compare directly tonight, but at the moment, I'm not seeing anything on the iPad Pro that looks remotely like 30hz scrolling. On my work computer, my main 4k monitor often gets reset by software updates to 30hz and I can notice it immediately - in scrolling, in mouse movement, even in its inability to keep up with my typing.

 

[NT1440]

That's your right, doesn't mean much to me, I know what I see, and am not going to just believe what I'm told. Is the ipad pro screen better because it provides a warmer tone, and a minimal wider gamut? If the refresh rate was up to par then yea, but you can't just factor that out like you're trying to do. both are part of the display. The more options are better, but the screen is worse because of the refresh rate. So, there. If there was no refresh rate problem, it would be a better screen for sure.

Ok so we've gotten to the bottom of it. The refresh rate "issue" (we're not certain yet exactly what the cause is on your device) is overwhelming the other concrete improvements in use for you. That's fine, as it's a personal device.

But just to be clear, from an empirical standpoint, this is a much better screen in almost every regard. The numbers don't lie. That said, for your own use case it's not what you need right now. Hopefully the next iOS update will make adjustments to the variable refresh rate algorithm to suit your needs. Best of luck.
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If it was such an easy fix, then why is it still there? that's a simple critical thought to consider. One that tells me it's not just an easy firmware update. Obviously it could be fixed. I'm not trying to say it can't be fixed with an update. What I'm saying is why does the problem exist at launch, and maybe there's a reason they released the ipad like this, and I'm not advocating they hinder older devices to make users upgrade. I'm saying older tech simply ages. That's just elementary knowledge on how these product cycles work.

Your clearly unfamiliar with software development. It's priorities when shipping. What you're describing is a minor issue that no reviewers have even commented on from the hundreds of writeup out so far. This, if it is indeed an actual issue, is such a low priority that it didn't make it into the 9.3 release. That's just the way software releases work. Priorities.

 

[ValO]

I have a 4th gen iPad, Air 2 and a new Pro. The Pro's screen is by far the best - the 4th gen is noticeably worse in almost every respect. If there is a refresh issue (the other iPads aren't with me at the moment to compare) it's something that can easily be fixed in software. (I'm not seeing it compared to my iPhone 6s though - and I have a monitor/computer setup that often defaults to 30hz and I have to manually fix it - I've very aware of what it looks like.)

I jus checked in the Apple Store and did a one on one comparison with the 9.7 iPad Pro and air 2. I can' t see the difference with scrolling text or video. Just that the pro has much nicer and richer colors.

 

[Mazz0928]

I'll compare directly tonight, but at the moment, I'm not seeing anything on the iPad Pro that looks remotely like 30hz scrolling. On my work computer, my main 4k monitor often gets reset by software updates to 30hz and I can notice it immediately - in scrolling, in mouse movement, even in its inability to keep up with my typing.

I'm not sure this problem exists with the 12.9. In fact I don't think it does. So, if that's the version you own you may not notice, and the fuzzy scrolling text problem is better seen compared to any other ipad version. It's not just my eyes either. Like i said earlier when I returned the ipad to show the employees working there. Two of them noticed the same thing. Whether that means it's the variable refresh rate idk, but I can't think of anything else that would be causing it besides the different panel maybe.
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I jus checked in the Apple Store and did a one on one comparison with the 9.7 iPad Pro and air 2. I can' t see the difference with scrolling text or video. Just that the pro has much nicer and richer colors.

I don't know what to tell you. Myself and two other employees there noticed it. You say you don't. I'm not saying you're lying, you may not notice it, but my eyes are very sensitive to refresh rate since I am used to 60 or above. To the average consumer this may not be extremely noticeable. Also you have to scroll slowly, not quick jerks. You won't see it if you just swipe quickly.
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Ok so we've gotten to the bottom of it. The refresh rate "issue" (we're not certain yet exactly what the cause is on your device) is overwhelming the other concrete improvements in use for you. That's fine, as it's a personal device.

But just to be clear, from an empirical standpoint, this is a much better screen in almost every regard. The numbers don't lie. That said, for your own use case it's not what you need right now. Hopefully the next iOS update will make adjustments to the variable refresh rate algorithm to suit your needs. Best of luck.
[doublepost=1460554541][/doublepost]
Your clearly unfamiliar with software development. It's priorities when shipping. What you're describing is a minor issue that no reviewers have even commented on from the hundreds of writeup out so far. This, if it is indeed an actual issue, is such a low priority that it didn't make it into the 9.3 release. That's just the way software releases work. Priorities.

No reviewer mentioned it? LOL. I'm going to pretend I didn't just read this. You're telling me I'm unfamiliar with software development, and then you say reviewers are the end all tell all. If anything reviewers are the worst source for true information today. Most apple product reviewers do not understand about screen details such as this having an impact on the viewing experience. Or if they do, are just being disingenuous. Even to say that not many people will notice, and it's a design choice to conserve energy doesn't change the fact that it's a downgrade.

 

[MH01]

Cheers. Will check it out again in store

 

[NT1440]

No reviewer mentioned it? LOL. I'm going to pretend I didn't just read this. You're telling me I'm unfamiliar with software development, and then you say reviewers are the end all tell all. If anything reviewers are the worst source for true information today. Most apple product reviewers do not understand about screen details such as this having an impact on the viewing experience. Or if they do, are just being disingenuous. Even to say that not many people will notice, and it's a design choice to conserve energy doesn't change the fact that it's a downgrade.

I'm trying to keep this civil. I'm not talking about a 5 minute AOL tech review. If this was a major issue you'd think a site like Anandtech would have picked up on it. Displaymate is THE standard for screen reviews, not a peep.

 

[MacBH928]

I still have my iPad 3, and TBH, the screen still looks nice...

speaking of which, any one knows what I can do with an extra iPad 3?

 

[Mazz0928]

I'm trying to keep this civil. I'm not talking about a 5 minute AOL tech review. If this was a major issue you'd think a site like Anandtech would have picked up on it. Displaymate is THE standard for screen reviews, not a peep.

Yes, I agree lets keep this civil. Listen, I'm not making this up. I don't have an eye defect, or am being paranoid. I really really wanted to like the tablet, but that was too much of a hit for me. If Displaymate is "THE" standard for screen reviews, then how did they miss this? If they were that good, they should in the least mention that it affects motion on the screen. It's entirely possible they don't understand what exactly is causing the issue, but to not mention it at all? I'd consider rethinking if they are the best source for these things.

 

[Glassed Silver]

The Air 2 already had one of the best tablet displays on the market. The Pro, with Pencil support, keyboard support, better speakers, more base storage, the best screen available anywhere, etc. is well worth the minor price bump. If it's not, well then lucky you, Apple dropped the price of the still excellent Air 2!

Dropping the price for older tech? Magic!
Only Apple would do this!™

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[NT1440]

Yes, I agree lets keep this civil. Listen, I'm not making this up. I don't have an eye defect, or am being paranoid. I really really wanted to like the tablet, but that was too much of a hit for me. If Displaymate is "THE" standard for screen reviews, then how did they miss this? If they were that good, they should in the least mention that it affects motion on the screen. It's entirely possible they don't understand what exactly is causing the issue, but to not mention it at all? I'd consider rethinking if they are the best source for these things.

You sound like someone who is very sensitive to refresh rates, most people aren't. That's not an attack, I'm not calling you OCD or anything, some people are just more sensitive to refresh rate changes than others. That's the difference here. Right now it's functioning normally, but not optimally to your viewing experience. So it's not a defect that DisplayMate would even consider. In some ways, this being an issue is because your eyes are abnormal.

 

[Cyloncat]

Has anyone had a chance to compare the 9.7 Pro to the current generation Surface Book or Surface Pro 4? My Surface Book's display is much brighter than my Air 2's display, and appears to have a better color gamut as well. I'd love to see a comparison between a Surface and the 9.7 Pro, but I'm not quite ready to walk into an Apple store and open up a Surface next to Apple's newest baby....

 

[Mazz0928]

You sound like someone who is very sensitive to refresh rates, most people aren't. That's not an attack, I'm not calling you OCD or anything, some people are just more sensitive to refresh rate changes than others. That's the difference here. Right now it's functioning normally, but not optimally to your viewing experience. So it's not a defect that DisplayMate would even consider. In some ways, this being an issue is because your eyes are abnormal.

I wouldn't consider being able to perceive refresh rate differences as an abnormality, more like I'm just more attuned to those types of things than the average consumer. That's a fair enough stance for me.

 

[Bojan]

Still no solid reason to upgrade from my Air 2.

Agree 100%

 

[NT1440]

I wouldn't consider being able to perceive refresh rate differences as an abnormality, more like I'm just more attuned to those types of things than the average consumer. That's a fair enough stance for me.

That's exactly what I was saying. Most people can't perceive the difference between a 60hz TV or a 120hz until some extreme action occurs on the screen. Others, such as yourself, are much more attuned to that kind of sensory input.

 

[Mazz0928]

That's exactly what I was saying. Most people can't perceive the difference between a 60hz TV or a 120hz until some extreme action occurs on the screen. Others, such as yourself, are much more attuned to that kind of sensory input.

It is settled then. Still disappointed though. I will say the pencil was very well done, and the added tone features were nice, but since I mostly read on the device. I couldn't look past that issue. I'll add, there's more and more people getting accustomed to a higher refresh rate. So, I think more people will notice it than predicted. Especially since previous iPads were consistenly 60fps in the browser. I've seen two or three other people mention the same issue on these boards already.

 

[NT1440]

It is settled then. Still disappointed though. I will say the pencil was very well done, and the added tone features were nice, but since I mostly read on the device. I couldn't look past that issue. I'll add, there's more and more people getting accustomed to a higher refresh rate. So, I think more people will notice it than predicted. Especially since previous iPads were consistenly 60fps in the browser. I've seen two or three other people mention the same issue on these boards already.

That slow and steady feedback is what makes me think it will be adjusted in the next iOS update. After that see if you can go to an Apple Store to test it out.

 

[zhenya]

It is settled then. Still disappointed though. I will say the pencil was very well done, and the added tone features were nice, but since I mostly read on the device. I couldn't look past that issue. I'll add, there's more and more people getting accustomed to a higher refresh rate. So, I think more people will notice it than predicted. Especially since previous iPads were consistenly 60fps in the browser. I've seen two or three other people mention the same issue on these boards already.

No, nothing's settled. I can set my Surface Pro which I do have to 48hz and it's immediately noticeable. At 60hz it's nice and smooth - and visually indistinguishable from my 9.7" Pro. And scrolling on the Pro looks the same as scrolling on my rMB.

 

[vanzantapple]

Super BRIGHT screen is not a option that I typically look for. I need a screen that can be turned way down(brightness) while reading/viewing/etc in the dark. Almost zero reviewers touch on this when reviewing ipads/iphones/ipods/ android devices/windows phone devices/etc.

Am I really alone in this. No one ever complains about this super brightness of screens and the lack of reviewers speaking/writing on the subject.

Thanks.

 

[manu chao]

$599 is for 32gb which is what they have always charged for that amount of space.

They did for a long time. However the iPad Air 2 offered 64 GB for $599 (and 128 GB for $699). The 9.7" iPad Pro is now $599 for 32 GB and $749 for 128 GB.

 

[Marshall73]

Yea, that's a deal breaker for me. I spend maybe 80% of my time on the ipad doing research, and reading. Scrolling through the screen makes the text so fuzzy I got eyestrain, while never experiencing it with the ipad 4th gen. That for me is a huge downgrade. Youtube wasn't functioning correctly at 60 fps, and was producing a lot of ghosting. I have no idea if this is a code issue or what, but these things are unacceptable for a 800 dollar purchase. I feel stupid now for trusting Apple wouldn't do something stupid like this to save power.

Screen refresh rate is so important for viewing quality. Hopefully they fix these issues with there next iteration, but for now I'll use the Air 2. Having returned the pro 9.7 128, the smart cover, back, and the pencil while also purchasing the Air 2. I now have 500 dollars store credit with apple. I'll just wait until they get their act together before getting another tablet, but tbh the air 2 may suffice for as long as I'll need.
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It's not a defect. Read my posts, the new refresh rate tech, and different screen display cause these issues. I compared the ipad pro 9.7 with an air 2 in store, and 2 other people agreed they saw the problem as well. I was surprised, they were surprised. I didn't expect this from apple.

You shouldn't have any ghosting unless you are using it in a very cold environment tbh, use the youtube app not the website as its mince, not that the app is much better. One thing I prefer on the Pro is that when scrolling it no longer bends the display as it refreshes from side to side which always did my nut in.