Apple Says iPad Pro's XDR Display Designed to Minimize Blooming, but Some Users Still Notice the Effect

[falainber]

Far too simple of an explanation...and if it were OLED all the way, several things happen. One, photographic and video color becomes problematic as OLED color wanders over time. OLED pixels slowly degrade too. So there is no simple single solution for all the issues and no commercial viable alternative at this time.

For someone looking at outputting 4K video or above, doing client photographic work flow, etc. these issues simply do not impact the user.

LCDs degrade too (but differently from OLED). People using iPads for client photographic work represent a very small niche. Most users would be better of with OLED.

 

[chucker23n1]

LCDs degrade too (but differently from OLED).

LCDs do not degrade.

Their LED backlight does, but more slowly than OLED.

People using iPads for client photographic work represent a very small niche. Most users would be better of with OLED.

What do you think is the bigger niche of iPad Pro customers?

 

[EugW]

I know what you mean regarding the X900H.

I went back and forth hard with it and the LG C8 and I have to say that while the LG was noticeably better picture-wise, I bought the Sony instead. Why?

PS5 gaming. I am not dealing with burn-in ever again.

If I was just going to use it as a TV the LG would have been fine, as long as you don't pause content and leave it to go wash the car or something.

But nope, a TV is a very long-term investment. I'm not taking the risk of "pixel orbiting" not working as advertised (like with my other TVs) past the warranty period.

Oh for sure. The X900H definitely has its advantages over OLED. But as you suggest, since I'm not a gamer, static HUDs are not a concern for me.

I've also been telling the wife and kids to shut off the OLED when we have dinner or whatever. Don't leave it paused there.

Honestly I really want one so I can finally watch true HDR content. I realize it may have some artifacts in certain situations but then again so does trying to watch HDR on a 400 - 600 nits LCD display. Its a tradeoff people.

I agree about 600 nits LCD, but 600 nits OLED is a whole different kettle of fish. That's why I've been hoping for that OLED iPad Air next year.

It's ironic. I have an OLED iPhone, but I'm generally fine with LCD on my iPhone. I want OLED much more on my iPad but no such iPad exists... yet.

I sure hope Mr. Kuo Ming-chi is correct.

We need screenshots not a picture taken by another camera.

I didn't see the /s tag, but I really, really hope you're joking.

 

[IceStormNG]

People using iPads for client photographic work represent a very small niche. Most users would be better of with OLED.

Yep. Especially as you still cannot calibrate an iPad screen. Display Calibration is crucial for color sensitive work. Period.

iOS and iPadOS do not allow to calibrate the screen. Some apps try to do that, but they can only apply the calibration to the content they show. Which is a pain because two apps: Two times calibration with each app differently.

OLED is great for content consumption. Not so great for color critical content creation.

 

[Glass]

I received my iPad Pro 12.9 M1 on Friday, and I love it. I also have the 11" 2nd gen iPad Pro. Sorry some people don't like it, but I think it's great. Stay calm everyone..

 

[Flabasha]

Yep. Especially as you still cannot calibrate an iPad screen. Display Calibration is crucial for color sensitive work. Period.

iOS and iPadOS do not allow to calibrate the screen. Some apps try to do that, but they can only apply the calibration to the content they show. Which is a pain because two apps: Two times calibration with each app differently.

OLED is great for content consumption. Not so great for color critical content creation.

Not sure this is correct. I do color correction as an editor, and within the colorist world (Lift Gamma Gain forums, etc.), many colorists are eagerly anticipating the announced LG 32" OLED to use as a more color-accurate monitor, without ponying up tens of thousands of bucks for a Flanders monitor.

 

[Bytor65]

This is expected behavior. All FALD LCDs will be susceptible to blooming. If you go looking for it, you will find it.

I'd live with blooming to not have to worry about burn in.

 

[Bytor65]

I read this and immediately went to a basement room with zero lights to test. My iPad Pro 12.9” does NOT have blooming like this.

People who want to complain will take long exposure images that exaggerate the effect.

 

[The Game 161]

I don't know why Apple just didn't use OLED in the first place for the iPads..

Higher risk of burn in on bigger displays

 

[Black Belt]

Don’t they test their contraptions?

 

[The Game 161]

Was really wanting the 12.9 for the mini-led screen.

But this issue killed my enthusiasim for it.

It’s really a non issue for 95% of usage

 

[Bytor65]

Not sure this is correct. I do color correction as an editor, and within the colorist world (Lift Gamma Gain forums, etc.), many colorists are eagerly anticipating the announced LG 42" OLED TV to use as a more color-accurate monitor, without ponying up tens of thousands of bucks for a Flanders monitor.

If they are colorists, they should know better. LG's use of RGBW pixels means it is has color volume issues at higher brightness where it's using the white pixels to brighten the image. So it really isn't a suitable professional tool for colorists.

But it's still a great TV.

 

[lorsl]

I love the Mini-LED display of the new iPad Pro. It makes more sense than OLED in terms of color volume and accuracy at high brightness. OLED could not even maintain this brightness level, i guess ABL / ASBL would be an issue then, maybe also vertical banding and needless to say burn-in over time. I don't know if the power consumption would be even higher on OLED, especially at high fullscreen brightness.

I mean, i love my LG C9 OLED, i'm a huge fan of OLED especially for gaming, but in this case for an iPad and it's use case it's the wrong tech. I also tested my C9 against the iPad side by side and bright HDR scenes clearly look better on the iPad, it comes more to life with these specular highlights and great color. I also like the fact that there is no sign of DSE, banding, clouding or other uniformity issues (except the slight shadow around the edges which is ultra negligible for me)

There is in fact some blooming, but on most content it is very subtle imo. An absolute stress test for the iPad is the beginning of "Oxygen" on Netflix. Most content looks stunning, but scenes like this look pretty awful. I'm sure this can be fixed with an update. Apple has to look into local dimming zone control, because my Samsung Q90T with only 120 dimming zones can show this scene in a much less distracting way.

Overall i'm very pleased.

 

[jk1221]

Hmmm... That's worse than I was expecting, but yeah that might partially be because of your profession. What is your room environment though?

But you realize the irony "of his profession" that this is marketed as a PRO iPad top of the line for creative professionals. That's a big of a contradiction then.

This isnt the soccer mom/classroom $329 iPad.

 

[falainber]

LCDs do not degrade.

Their LED backlight does, but more slowly than OLED.



What do you think is the bigger niche of iPad Pro customers?

Web browsing and media consumption? Is not it the main use case for all tablets? Given the volume of iPad Pro sales, I just can't imagine that we have so many artists.

 

[falainber]

I love the Mini-LED display of the new iPad Pro. It makes more sense than OLED in terms of color volume and accuracy at high brightness. OLED could not even maintain this brightness level, i guess ABL / ASBL would be an issue then, maybe also vertical banding and needless to say burn-in over time. I don't know if the power consumption would be even higher on OLED, especially at high fullscreen brightness.

I mean, i love my LG C9 OLED, i'm a huge fan of OLED especially for gaming, but in this case for an iPad and it's use case it's the wrong tech. I also tested my C9 against the iPad side by side and bright HDR scenes clearly look better on the iPad, it comes more to life with these specular highlights and great color. I also like the fact that there is no sign of DSE, banding, clouding or other uniformity issues (except the slight shadow around the edges which is ultra negligible for me)

There is in fact some blooming, but on most content it is very subtle imo. An absolute stress test for the iPad is the beginning of "Oxygen" on Netflix. Most content looks stunning, but scenes like this look pretty awful. I'm sure this can be fixed with an update. Apple has to look into local dimming zone control, because my Samsung Q90T with only 120 dimming zones can show this scene in a much less distracting way.

Overall i'm very pleased.

OLED tech in TVs and phone/tablet screens are two completely different animals. For example, we know from DisplayMate reviews that SAMOLED screens in iPhone and Samsung phones are perfectly color accurate. I also question the need for high brightness for the tablets (as opposed to TVs). Tablet screen is right before your eyes. Who wants to burn their eyes? I have a Galaxy Tab S7 and for indoor use I keep the brightness level at around 25%. It is very rare (usually outside on a sunny day) that I raise the level.

 

[Seanm87]

A lot of leaks have pointed to the iPad Air getting OLED and pros having mini LED. I think this makes sense. People with pro iPads are more likely to use them as actual computers, and get burn in, while the cheaper ones are used for content consumption, which isnt as big a risk for burn in.

 

[System Of A Down]

Are you people sure this isn't BS from android fanboys and girls? The tiny backlights are very tiny. To bleed like these pictures show into the blackness is strange.

Ah yes. Anyone who criticizes Apple MUST be an Android fanboi. Project much?

 

[chucker23n1]

Web browsing and media consumption? Is not it the main use case for all tablets?

Not at that price point.

Given the volume of iPad Pro sales, I just can't imagine that we have so many artists.

How do you know the volume of iPad Pro sales?

 

[citysnaps]

Before people get all expert on a subject they just learned about five minutes ago I suggest walking into a store and checking this out for yourself.

All display technologies have pros and cons. This is not an Apple thing but a limitation of Mini-LED. If one doesn't like it after actually physically seeing it in person then you either buy the previous model which was already super fast or you wait and see if apple moves away from Mini-LED for the next one.

Simple as that. Trying to take these clearly inaccurate screen shots as some kind of face value and 1001 people giving their suddenly expert opinion on the subject is going to help no one.

when it comes to a display there is only one way to know if it will work for you. See it in person.

Yes blooming can happen. Its inevitable to happen when a zone is made up of something like 45x45 pixels. I don't recall the exact amount right now but you get the idea. This was a way to get an affordable XDR display on a tablet. Many will prefer that sacrifice to finally in their lifetime actually be able to see what the big deal is with true professional HDR content. Most of the expensive TVs people buy that claim they are HDR displays are lucky to have 600 or 700 nits peak. Sure they are slightly HDR but when we watch HDR content on those displays we are only seeing part of what HDR can look like.

Now this iPad will likely be the only monitor any of us will own in the next five years actually capable of the full HDR display range up to 1600 nits. This means the XDR iPad is one heck of a 13" HDR TV that beats pretty much any TV currently on the market sub $10,000. That comes with a tradeoff but not any worse of a tradeoff than any other display technology. If it is worse after you see it in person then skip it and wait for the next one. Or better yet pick up a previous model which will be a lot more affordable. If you really must have the M1 get the 11".

Honestly I really want one so I can finally watch true HDR content. I realize it may have some artifacts in certain situations but then again so does trying to watch HDR on a 400 - 600 nits LCD display. Its a tradeoff people.

Well said! Nice seeing a thoughtful post about the display.



"Before people get all expert on a subject they just learned about five minutes ago I suggest walking into a store and checking this out for yourself."

Spot-on. Seems everyone is an expert now.

 

[falainber]

Not at that price point.



How do you know the volume of iPad Pro sales?

Thanks to Apple nobody does, but one can get some idea by gauging the interest here on Macrumors. There are plenty of threads/posts about iPad Pro purchasing/charging/comparing to other models etc. Compare this to amount of posts about drawing and photo/video editing. There are very few of those. Obviously it's anecdotal but that's all we have. It is also my personal opinion that tablets are just not a suitable tool for photo/video editing. There are many posts here from people who tried iPads for that and went back to a laptop or desktop (I prefer a 38" monitor).

 

[EugW]

But you realize the irony "of his profession" that this is marketed as a PRO iPad top of the line for creative professionals. That's a big of a contradiction then.

This isnt the soccer mom/classroom $329 iPad.

For creative professionals I don't think it makes sense to criticize as not being sufficient for colorists for broadcast video or Hollywood blockbusters, for example. As he said himself, he stares at $50000 monitors all day long.

When I said earlier that the mini-LED iPad Pro would likely usually be better than an OLED iPad Air for content creators, I was talking about people like illustrators and artists and YouTube video editors etc.

 

[chucker23n1]

Thanks to Apple nobody does, but one can get some idea by gauging the interest here on Macrumors. There are plenty of threads/posts about iPad Pro purchasing/charging/comparing to other models etc.

Surely MR skews towards enthusiasts, not the mass market.

Compare this to amount of posts about drawing and photo/video editing. There are very few of those. Obviously it's anecdotal but that's all we have. It is also my personal opinion that tablets are just not a suitable tool for photo/video editing. There are many posts here from people who tried iPads for that and went back to a laptop or desktop (I prefer a 38" monitor).

Well, I'm not exactly an iPad power user, so I have no skin in that game.

So far, "Apple thinks the iPad Pro is more appropriate for use cases where color accuracy matters, and they think OLED is a poor fit for that" is the most plausible explanation I have.

 

[falainber]

This is expected behavior. All FALD LCDs will be susceptible to blooming. If you go looking for it, you will find it.

I'd live with blooming to not have to worry about burn in.

I have a Galaxy Tab S2 (2015 model) which has been used almost daily for many years. I do not see any burn in on it Overall, I had (and have) five Samsung tablets. All with OLED screens. None had any burn in issues. iPhone X has been around for almost 4 years. Do we have any specific burn in complains about it here on MR? I have not seen any. As this article reported, it takes 17 hours of displaying a static picture at max brightness on iPhone X to get a burn in. And it's not a cumulative time. If you switch the picture before you get a burn in, the clock resets.

 

[Isengardtom]

The blooming on this iPad is worse than I expected. In the case of dark mode in the Books app, the blooming shows up as a grid of large rectangles with very sharp borders against the black portions. Last gen had more gradation with the blooming which was less distracting.

Video content is very nice, but OLED blows this XDR screen out of the water. MicroLED will be an amazing advancement 5-10 years down the road, but in my view Mini LED has most of the bad qualities of LED, few of the benefits of OLED, and is overall an underwhelming stopgap.

I work in film and spend a lot of time staring at $50,000 monitors, so I’m likely more sensitive to the defects in this display than most. I’m keeping the iPad, but the XDR screen is a disappointment.

I have that grid effect too. But if you watch a movie like say Star Wars it’s also there. Almost feels as if its only using 70 dimming zones instead of 2500. Is it possible a software update could fix this?