Apple Says 'Jelly Scrolling' on iPad Mini 6 is Normal Behavior for LCD Screens

[Jensend]

"Jelly scrolling" refers to screen tearing

No. Screen tearing usually refers to when a screen isn’t VSynced—when the display starts drawing a new frame before it had finished drawing the previous frame. That produces a sudden discontinuity, not just a jelly effect.

Not all iPad mini devices seem to be experiencing the issue to the same degree, so it may be possible to purchase one that has less of a scrolling delay.

I’d say it’s likely more accurate to say “Not all iPad mini users seem to be experiencing the issue to the same degree. The hardware is likely all the same—but it’s not unheard of for displays to be sourced from multiple manufacturers or different components.

Apple may also issue some kind of software fix in the future to address the problem, even though the company claims that it is normal behavior.

I highly doubt that is possible, unless there is some way to update the firmware so it can significantly speed up each refresh of the screen. And any possible software fix would probably be a trade off and cause other issues.

 

[turbineseaplane]

MacRumors are giving people false hope with their unsubstantiated claim that it's worse on some mini 6's than others. There is no evidence that is the case.

Yeah, this needs to be updated by MR staff.

Nothing coming directly from Apple indicates there is any variation at all on the hardware side of this.

 

[tfresquezdxs]

I don't see it on older ipads with LCD screen, even the previous ipad mini didnt have this issue.... seems like a BS excuse from apple. They praise the screen calling it liquid retina display and it just seems subpar

 

[klasma]

Folks, Apple markets the display as LIQUID Retina. This wave-like effect is completely normal for liquids.

Now even more liquid!

 

[imdog]

I'll continue using it for the duration of the return window before making up my mind. Kind of difficult decision for me as I'm someone who's obsessed with miniature things and I love the form factor. I also use my iPad in landscape mode 2/3 of the time.

 

[Realityck]

Ummm, iPads have been scrolling like this for years now. I'm surprised it took this long for someone to complain loudly enough for Apple to issue a statement!

I haven't seen one in the store yet, but the A8 based mini 4 couldn't even scroll vertically fast without a lot of updating display lag. The A12 mini 5 was worlds better. But this whole topic reminds me of the iMac tilt which made people hesitant to get a 24" iMac. In the end it was not detectable on all the ones in the store I visited. So with this perspective, I will check it out at the store when I can but not be overly surprised if this is blown out of proportion.

 

[w5jck]

I have never seen jellying on any iPad I’ve ever owned, but clearly it does happen on some iPad mini 6 models. Apple is full of crap and this is just another way of saying, “You’re holding it wrong.”

 

[jdb8167]

Human visual perception varies between individuals. Not everyone is able to see it, and some who can see it are able to ignore it (filter it out mentally).

That would be me. I originally didn't see it but the TestUFO site does a good job of showing it. So after that, I can see when I scroll up and down for example on these forums with the horizontal lines. But I have no trouble at all with ignoring it--eventually it just goes away until I go looking for it again. If you want an iPad mini 6, you should test one in an Apple store before deciding that this issue is a big deal. For some it is, I would bet for most, they won't even see it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The cynical part of me --- who also knows how Tim Cook likes to operate -- does also wonder if the screens they sourced are in some way slightly inferior at handling this issue.

Nothing increases margins faster than raising prices + cutting costs at the same time.

 

[now i see it]

Apple gobbledygook translation: “It’s normal for this garbage screen”

 

[DesertNomad]

iPad Mini's?

A TON of people.

The one handed nature of them is a major selling point of the device.

Pilots also usually use them in Portrait as it works best with yokes and again one handed or on a knee or mounted

As a pilot, I always use the mini in portrait. I have two mini 5s but will wait to see the mini 6 in person before buying. Scrolling through NOTAMs, flight plans, log books, and viewing approach plates and charts, etc will always be done in portrait mode.

 

[turbineseaplane]

As a pilot, I always use the mini in portrait. I have two mini 5s but will wait to see the mini 6 in person before buying. Scrolling through NOTAMs, flight plans, log books, and viewing approach plates and charts, etc will always be done in portrait mode.

Same - right there with you.

Apple themselves were even showing us pilots using the thing in portrait..

It's mind blowing they changed the screen orientation to optimize for landscape (with regard to the Jelly scroll issue).

 

[davidako]

Apple gobbledygook translation: “It’s normal for this garbage screen”

Yes, the screen is operating within its specifications. Those specifications just happen to be a mid level tablet from 2014.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It was sort of hilarious scrolling through the demo Photos library on the Mini 6 in portrait..

The wobbly look of the rectangles makes you think you are a little drunk or something...

Just such a subpar experience and not at all what we've come to expect from Apple.

 

[Porco]

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[jdb8167]

I don't see it on older ipads with LCD screen, even the previous ipad mini didnt have this issue.... seems like a BS excuse from apple. They praise the screen calling it liquid retina display and it just seems subpar

By all reports, both the iPad mini 4 and iPad mini5 have it. There is also a video here showing it on an iPhone 12 Pro.

View attachment 1850912

 

[HiVolt]

I've had a number of iPads, my newest is a 2017 iPad Pro 10.5", I see no jelly scroll effect whatsoever. Probably because it has a good screen and ProMotion.

I'm guessing that Apple is sourcing LCD's from different manufacturers for these cheaper iPads, and some have a more pronounced jelly effect.

 

[iDave]

You're holding it wrong.

No like, you actually are. Who uses iPads in portrait?

Me, always.

 

[turbineseaplane]

By all reports, both the iPad mini 4 and iPad mini5 have it.

In landscape - not portrait..

Makes alll the difference in the world..

 

[techno-Zen]

I compared it with an Air and didn't notice any jelly scrolling so the LCD thing is bs and i'm an apple apologist

 

[DesertNomad]

Same - right there with you.

Apple themselves were even showing us pilots using the thing in portrait..

It's mind blowing they changed the screen orientation to optimize for landscape (with regard to the Jelly scroll issue).

Have you seen it in person yet? I'll try to drop by the Apple Store this week. I was really hoping to update both my mini 5s to mini 6 but not if it has weird vertical scrolling. They are mounted to the yokes with a RAM X-grip and used on every flight. Even scrolling the ForeFlight map needs to be smooth and stable which can obviously move in any direction.

Sigh. One step forward, two steps back.

 

[davidako]

By all reports, both the iPad mini 4 and iPad mini5 have it. There is also a video here showing it on an iPhone 12 Pro.

Definitely. But anyone reading on a phone in landscape is insane. Portrait on an iPad mini is the main use case.

 

[jdb8167]

In landscape - not portrait..

Makes alll the difference in the world..

The person I responded to said no other iPad LCD had it. That is incorrect. Yes, apparently having it in portrait on a skinnier iPad mini screen makes it more noticeable.

 

[Luposian]

We got to the point where Apple being in blatant denial is also normal behavior.

Come on... this is Apple we're talking about... We are NOTHING but a number on a profit chart to them. While this type of denial is not what we want to hear, unless enough people return their new units over this issue and Apple suffers on THEIR bottom line (profit --- Ferengi much, Apple?), this is par for the course. If they can afford to say this is "normal", why fix it?

 

[Sanlitun]

Mine has the issue, but you don't really notice it unless you are scrolling on a white background in portrait at a certain speed. I run in dark mode so it's not really bothering me.

In landscape there is no issue and that makes sense as Apple is going to push this iPad for gaming. It's the fastest iPad available short of the M1s. The wider aspect ratio will pay off.

And in every other metric such as color depth and apparent resolution this display is better than previous Minis and in fact side by side I feel the image is better than my 12.9 Pro.