iFixit Explains iPad Mini 'Jelly Scroll' Issue in Teardown Video

[usagora]

On a mini 5 the text of looking at this thread posts tends to become a bit unfocused as you scroll at that speed

Heck, that even happens on the 4k LG display I'm using right now, but it's still completely readable, and I don't know many people who are constantly moving the screen while reading. Normally you stop, read a block of text, and then scroll some more.

 

[vartanarsen]

"It's not a problem, it's a feature!"

Exactly, I love it. Its the "real life newspaper" feature

 

[ofarlig]

I've seen that one and others. Clearly has no effect on screen readability, and he's even scrolling much faster than you would if you were scrolling and reading at the same time.

If someone wants to claim theirs is "much worse" than that, then they really need to post a video. "It doesn't show well on video" comes across as a cop-out to me and a convenient way to make one's assertion irrefutable (at least online). If that were really the case (or at least to a degree that made a significant difference), you would think iFixit or others would give that disclaimer.

That video actually looks close to what my unit was doing. Try browsing the web for an hour with that and get back to me, made me dizzy when the brain had to compensate for the text doing that while reading. You can clearly see how the normal iPad is much easier to read on while he is moving it around. It also isn’t weird that cameras aren’t a perfect representation of our eyes, do you also believe the light levels of photos taken at night are always the same as if you were seeing it yourself?

By the way I love how there are loads of people with opinions about how it is to use devices they haven’t tried themselves.

 

[usagora]

That video actually looks close to what my unit was doing. Try browsing the web for an hour with that and get back to me, made me dizzy when the brain had to compensate for the text doing that while reading. You can clearly see how the normal iPad is much easier to read on while he is moving it around. It also isn’t weird that cameras aren’t a perfect representation of our eyes, do you also believe the light levels of photos taken at night are always the same as if you were seeing it yourself?

By the way I love how there are loads of people with opinions about how it is to use devices they haven’t tried themselves.

Sorry, I'm not going to go order a new iPad Mini just to test it in person, and even then if I came to the same conclusion as I already have based on the videos, you'll just revert back to "well different people perceive it differently" 🤷‍♂️ You've already said that about others on the forum who DO have the new Mini in their hands and say they don't see the issue (or think it matters). Seems to me this is pretty analogous with the OLED PWM phenomenon that bothers some people and doesn't bother others, but it's not considered a defect.

I understand that cameras aren't the same as our eyes, but neither are they drastically different. And, again, surely iFixit and other professional video producers would have mentioned something like, "By the way, this effect is much more pronounced in real life than you're seeing on video here."

I'm still not understanding one thing, though. Do you not pause to read things while scrolling? Are you literally scrolling non-stop the entire time you're reading? That seems very odd to me. Wouldn't you scroll, stop, read what's on the screen from top to bottom (or at least most of the way down) and then scroll some more? Seems like that would mitigate any possible "dizziness" because you give your eyes a break.

 

[reallynotnick]

I can’t see it with 12 mini, personally. I guess when I scroll at a usual speed my eyes are probably distracted by the movement and wait for it to stop to refocus? 🤷🏻‍♂️

It's pretty minor, it's definitely one of those things most people won't see unless they are looking for it. Like I bet if news sites didn't blow up this story most people would have never seen it.

It's like when I started to look for uniformity issues on my 65" it became really hard to unsee them once I spotted them. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

 

[ofarlig]

Sorry, I'm not going to go order a new iPad Mini just to test it in person, and even then if I came to the same conclusion as I already have based on the videos, you'll just revert back to "well different people perceive it differently" 🤷‍♂️ You've already said that about others on the forum who DO have the new Mini in their hands and say they don't see the issue (or think it matters). Seems to me this is pretty analogous with the OLED PWM phenomenon that bothers some people and doesn't bother others, but it's not considered a defect.

I understand that cameras aren't the same as our eyes, but neither are they drastically different. And, again, surely iFixit and other professional video producers would have mentioned something like, "By the way, this effect is much more pronounced in real life than you're seeing on video here."

I'm still not understanding one thing, though. Do you not pause to read things while scrolling? Are you literally scrolling non-stop the entire time you're reading? That seems very odd to me. Wouldn't you scroll, stop, read what's on the screen from top to bottom (or at least most of the way down) and then scroll some more? Seems like that would mitigate any possible "dizziness" because you give your eyes a break.

I never said it was a defect, I am saying it is a problem for some people and it does hinder the usage for those.

And yes I sometimes stop scrolling and read, but say that I am looking over a thread on a forum, or looking over what threads there are, I scan over them while scrolling to read it to see which look interesting. The same goes for when looking at Reddit, looking at real estate listings, reading newspapers online or whatever I am doing. Stopping to read every thing would be very inefficient, which is also why I don’t want to use landscape, there’s less on the screen so I can’t read as many things

 

[usagora]

I never said it was a defect

I'm glad you don't say that, but many on this forum are.

And yes I sometimes stop scrolling and read, but say that I am looking over a thread on a forum, or looking over what threads there are, I scan over them while scrolling to read it to see which look interesting. The same goes for when looking at Reddit, looking at real estate listings, reading newspapers online or whatever I am doing. Stopping to read every thing would be very inefficient, which is also why I don’t want to use landscape, there’s less on the screen so I can’t read as many things

I guess all I can say is I'm sorry it makes you dizzy. It seems many are complaining to just jump on the bandwagon or because they're being over-perfectionist with it. But if you feel your usage of the iPad is literally negatively impacted by this "effect" then I guess you'll have to try another iPad model.

 

[gregmancuso]

I think the bigger issue is why Apple thought the primary use would be for landscape, which they optimized it for.

Don’t they remember Steve sitting up on stage saying how portrait 3:4 was the best use for this class device?

YMMV. Steve may have said that, sure. But that was 10 years ago. I'd venture more uses are landscape than portrait in today's uses - streaming video and photos or gaming being very common. Even reading web sites or emails is more convenient in landscape.

Unless the app dev locks the app to portrait my iPad is landscape 19/20 times.

 

[turbineseaplane]

But that was 10 years ago. I'd venture more uses are landscape than portrait in today's uses - streaming video and photos or gaming being very common. Even reading web sites or emails is more convenient in landscape.

I’m not really sure all of that holds up for the iPad mini specifically though.

It is the one iPad that is super awesome in portrait mode

 

[tobybrut]

Mmmm, ok, we can debate "terrible" being too strong of an adjective depending on ones feelings. I would not call this defect "aesthetic" or "I don't like how it looks". This defect is easily noticeable and when we compare it to the 10+ years of iPad models and refreshes; this Mini stands out as a problem. Period. As many people here and elsewhere have stated, I too would not tolerate this defect given the 10+ years of past models without this defect and the pricetag.

I strongly beg to differ your "using their iPad as designed". I don't recall any of Apple's marketing and advertising about how gorgeous the display is stating we now have to deal with the jello effect. For your reference, I will quote directly from: https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/

• Stunning all around.
• iPad mini is meticulously designed to be absolutely beautiful.
• 
  
• The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display features True Tone, P3 wide color, and ultralow reflectivity, making text sharp and colors vivid, wherever you are.
• 
  
• And with up to 80 percent faster graphics, iPad mini lets you immerse yourself in whatever you do. Use realistic brushes to create a watercolor, experience unreal AR, and play graphics-intensive games.
  
  
  
  
  Nothing about jello in that list, is there? Lastly, it starts off saying "New all‑screen design". Mmmm, to me, that might be the problem. If it's a new, all-screen design, then that means it's a new design...and since this screen problem didn't exist in the past, I would say it's because ot the new screen design.
  

Only problem is that the iPad mini isn’t the only iPad that exhibits it. Take a look for videos on the iPad Air. It has exactly the same problem, only it only happens in landscape mode. That’s because the screen refreshes from top to bottom, so there’s screen tearing in landscape instead of portrait due to the positioning of the controller. Yet mysteriously no one noticed it. People went back to prior iPads when this “scandal” broke and wondered how we never saw this before in eleven years of iPad releases. It’s the inherent nature of how LCD refreshes. it’ll either refresh top to bottom or left to right depending on controller positioning, so it’ll jelly scroll in the orientation where the controller is not at the top or bottom.

Why do we not see this in LCD desktop monitors? Because almost all LCD monitors are landscape and cannot be rotated to portrait. LCD manufacturers are smart enough to have the screens refresh top to bottom. If you have a rotating monitor, you’ll likely see jelly scrolling in portrait orientation.

My theory on why anyone noticed it on the mini is because the natural orientation of a mini is portrait, just like the Air. But because the controller is on a different side to the Air, it’s easier to notice. If anyone forces a recall, Apple will just move the controller to the top and voila, the problem is fixed! Except you’ll still get jelly scrolling in landscape. But since most people use it in portrait, people will proclaim the problem is gone.

 

[Chlloret]

I think the bigger issue is why Apple thought the primary use would be for landscape, which they optimized it for.

Don’t they remember Steve sitting up on stage saying how portrait 3:4 was the best use for this class device?

The mini is not 3:4 anymore, exactly because it is used in Landscape. Web pages are in full view, no need to scroll right left, Videos are better, thats why the speakers have been adapted to landscape, the case is set to prop it up in Landscape. Oh, and no wobbly bits in Landscape.

 

[Chlloret]

Well at least Apple have give some leverage on why to get the Air over the mini 😂

But the air has it as well? So is the 9,8,7,6......The point of the mini is the size? If you can lug a full size iPad around, of course get the air.

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

Apple is the only company in 2021 that still thinks its a good practice to charge a premium for a device with a subpar 60Hz display

 

[RedScott]

Right. Most iPad users use iPad in predominantly in the landscape orientation, let alone scrolling at a speed where the problem would be all that noticeable to begin with.

In an ideal world, Apple will also make iPad Pro mini (and 11" iPad Pro) with XDR.

Says who? - Many people claim portrait is a the primary orientation even if you typically don't... and with a smaller size, assumptions go out the window. It certainly feels natural to hold this device in portrait (like a book.) If you've actually used this device, it's certainly a new level of jelly to deal with.

 

[RedScott]

Steve's been dead for a decade. Tim is a bean counter. I think it is apparent that he'll go places that Steve would not.

In actually, Steve was an ass and made plenty of mistakes - like iCloud's broken launch and management.

 

[Realityck]

I’m not really sure all of that holds up for the iPad mini specifically though.

It is the one iPad that is super awesome in portrait mode

I looked at four iPad Mini's (all 64GB + Cell) at the Apple campus store for a bit less then a hour today. They were all the same.

The screen seem to display all colors brilliantly at max brightness. I compared the brightness mid level between mini 5 and mini 6 no noticeable different in nits. It did seem like the screen has a bit higher contrast.

Speakers were definitely better being apart from each other and seemed louder.

I spent the majority of my time trying to discern if vertical scrolling would bother me. Because I do very quick stop start strolling with one finger but after a lot of time comparing them all I didn't notice anything that would cause me to not like them.

So in the end It would have been a easy sell if they had been in stock. Purple looks very cool. Starbright or Shadow Grey after that.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I looked at four iPad Mini's at the Apple campus store for a bit less then a hour today. They were all the same.

The screen seem to display all colors brilliantly at max brightness. I compared the brightness mid level between mini 5 and mini 6 no noticeable different in nits. It did seem like the screen has a bit higher contrast.

Speakers were definitely better being saved apart and seemed louder.

I spent the majority of my time trying to discern if vertical scrolling would bother me. Because I do very quick stop start strolling with one finger I didn't notice anything that would cause me to not like them.

So in the end It would have been a easy sell if they had been in stock. Purple looks very cool. Starbright or Shadow Grey after that.

Enjoy!

I've also seen them in person - Jelly is a no-go for me and my professional usage of the Mini in Portrait.
Cheers

 

[nutmac]

What makes you think that most people predominantly use iPads in landscape?

Says who? - Many people claim portrait is a the primary orientation even if you typically don't... and with a smaller size, assumptions go out the window. It certainly feels natural to hold this device in portrait (like a book.) If you've actually used this device, it's certainly a new level of jelly to deal with.

I guess it depends on the usage.

Games and video are predominantly landscape, as well as most productivity apps.

Browsing tends to be landscape, although scroll heavy browsing might be better in portrait.

eBooks are typically portrait in smaller screen. Reading books are typically not scroll based, so I think jelly artifact won't be noticeable.

 

[gregmancuso]

Yes, curious to find you why Apple made the change.

Apple has a tons of user-data on how the iPad(s) are used. Looking at iPadOS it is clearly designed to be used primarily in landscape mode, with multitasking only offering side-by-side windows rather than top/bottom view. But as the mini does not have the smart-connected it is clearly not seen as a laptop-replacement by Apple. Wonder if Apple thinks the mini‘s use case will primarily as a portable gaming/video Device, which could explain the emphasis on the landscape orientation.

Well, with the earlier discussion about how Apple is "telling" everyone how to use it - holding in portrait with one hand vs the MINI background in landscape. Look at the cover - it rolls up to stand the iPad in landscape. Yes, you can also stand in portrait but portrait is at 90 degrees and not at all the way people would employ the stand. Perhaps that is the "right" way?

Apple collects telemetry on real world usage all the time. Anyone who said yes to "send device usage to Apple" during set up agreed to this. The common-use orientation information is known to Apple. As well as the apps in use.

I have the Mini6 and the new 12.9" iPad Pro. I bought the Mini to augment in meetings now that it has pencil support. But I also bought it to have an on-the-go device for quick browsing, email, and media playback. More the latter if I am being honest.

I have older eyes and am generally sensitive to this sort of thing. I had to try to get it to happen and, with some effort, I did see it. And it is really not that big of an issue. Especially as my use case is landscape for most activities - including reading mail / web. Portrait for when I use the pencil in note taking. I don't anticipate too much portrait reading-while-scrolling.

Your mileage may vary. I know I have my use case and others have theirs. This is a design decision likely based on the telemetry and anticipated uses cases. It is not a bug or hardware flaw. If your use case does not align with Apple's design decision for this device, or if the motion blur is overwhelming to you, do not purchase this device and look to another option.

 

[gregmancuso]

I’m not really sure all of that holds up for the iPad mini specifically though.

It is the one iPad that is super awesome in portrait mode

Honestly, the only time I ever consider using any iPad - regardless of size - in portrait would be if reading an ebook. Even then I would be "turning pages" and not scrolling.

Being easy to hold in one hand does not immediately mean "use in portrait" to me.

 

[Jensend]

If the jelly effect makes the iPad less enjoyable to use, return it.
if it doesn’t make it less enjoyable to use, don’t return it, even if you notice it. It's not indicative of some bigger problem.

 

[definitive]

The scary thing to me is that either a) nobody at Apple noticed or cared about this during testing or b) saw it and decided it was ok. Not the Apple I know.

they saw it. they spend tons of money on r&d. no way this would slip by them. they just have the built-in "you're using it wrong" or "this happens in a small portion of products" excuse. They'll also have a ton of their apologists drive these two excuses home, so everything is ok.

 

[ExxonVS]

Mini returned, bought an M1 Pro 11”

 

[patsfan83]

Mini returned, bought an M1 Pro 11”

That’ll teach them.

 

[mac 2005]

I popped into the Apple store yesterday to check out the Mini in real life. I could see the issue but only while scrolling quickly. It doesn't bother me, and I love my new iPad.

If I drive my car fast over speedbumps, I'm going to feel it. But if I drive over them at the right speed, no problem. Maybe not the best metaphor, but I hope it makes the point.

If you're scrolling so fast you see the jelly scroll, at least in my experience, you're not able to read the content anyway--so it's an "issue" without consequence.