iPad Mini 6 Screen Distortion Complaints Surface, But No Evidence Yet That It's a Widespread Issue

MacRumors said:
As for the jelly scrolling issue, Apple has said that the effect is normal behavior for an LCD screen, and that likely means the company does not plan to offer replacements for users who are seeing this issue. For that reason, those unhappy with the ‌iPad mini‌'s display should make sure to return the tablet within its 14 day return window.
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The jelly scrolling is a feature and not a defect. The jelly scrolling is a little nudge to get us to stop the "endless, mindless scrolling" and to use the iPad for creating things instead. It's another brilliant idea from Tim Apple.
 
I returned the iPad mini 6.



I’ll wait for the next iPad mini 7

With liquid retina display, M1 chip, 120Hz refresh rate, 512GB Storage.



Maybe it’s just a dream…
😉
 
I’m able to see the jelly scroll clearly (since opening it up on launch day), but this one is a little different. I can reproduce it, but only if I push pretty hard.

I don’t think I’d ever have a reason to push that hard, so it’s most likely a non-issue for me. Thankfully. Jelly scroll is enough to deal with alone.
 
MacRumors said:


Following complaints of "jelly scrolling" on the iPad mini 6 display, another issue has gained traction online that also has to do with the device's 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD panel.

iPad-mini-6-orange-BG.jpg

A poster on Reddit brought attention to a discoloration and distortion issue that they were having when touching the screen with the iPad in portrait orientation.
The Redditor claims they received a replacement from Apple, except the new device had the same problem, "but worse." While a handful of users replied to the original poster saying they were experiencing a similar issue – although for one or two, it was reportedly evident in another part of the display – most users who engaged with the post were unable to replicate it on their own device.

For what it's worth, MacRumors was unable to reproduce a similar distortion effect around the area suggested in the top-right corner of the iPad mini's screen. It is possible to create distortion where the finger makes contact anywhere on the display, but only by exerting unwarranted pressure. But then the same effect is demonstrable on any LCD panel when applying undue pressure, so we were unconvinced that what we were seeing was evidence of a mass defect with the panel in the iPad mini 6.


Users seeing a similar issue as to the one demonstrated in the above video have the option of taking their iPad mini 6 to an Apple Store or Repair Center to ask for a replacement unit.

As for the jelly scrolling issue, Apple has said that the effect is normal behavior for an LCD screen, and that likely means the company does not plan to offer replacements for users who are seeing this issue. For that reason, those unhappy with the ‌iPad mini‌'s display should make sure to return the tablet within its 14 day return window.

Article Link: iPad Mini 6 Screen Distortion Complaints Surface, But No Evidence Yet That It's a Widespread Issue
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I've had the imin
ruka.snow said:
Great, we'll get a new post about the iPad mini screen every week. Next one it'll be that stabbing it causes one half of the screen to no longer function.
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For real. I ordered the Mini 6 on the day of the event. I've had for as long as an average buyer could. I use it for like 4-5 hours a day between reading, taking notes, and watching videos. I haven't had any jelly scrolling or whatever this nonsense claim is. You have to push the screen down like a neanderthal to get this effect. No one is putting this much pressure on the screen unless they're a dope.
 
roncron said:
I'd like to see more than just anecdotal evidence of a problem before making any conclusions. While we're waiting for that, every one of us can choose to delay their purchase until more is known about the extent of these issues, or they can choose to buy the product and evaluate it carefully before the return window closes.

I've used my Mini 6 a lot since it was delivered nearly two weeks ago. I've been pretty happy with the display. I can see jelly scrolling, but it is mild and I don't notice it unless I'm trying to see it. It doesn't happen at all in the vast majority of my use-cases, like gaming, watching movies, taking notes on the go, and reading ebooks. I also do not have the issue reported in this article.

Tons of people have weighed in on this and other discussion items in the Macrumors forums and elsewhere. The people writing these comments fall into one of three groups:

First, people who have a Mini 6 and are unhappy with the display; they are not wrong and they should absolutely return their device. All of us are still within the window for initiating a return.

Second, people like me who have a Mini 6 who are happy with the device.

And third, people who are dumping on the Mini 6 just based on these reports, without even having seen the device in person. Jumping on the Apple-bashing bandwagon. This group isn't helping anyone.
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You’re missing a fourth: those that are initially non-owners praising the 6 and dismissing the owners who are reporting issues. Well, that is until THEY get one, come back to the forums, and profess that they now see the issue and will be returning them. There have been a few of them here on MR, and they weren’t helping anyone.

I have the jelly scroll, and to a small extent, this rippling. But I’m keeping mine. Like some have said, I don’t use it much by scrolling. I usually read, flipping pages. Also for movies, etc. It bugs me from time to time that it has the issue, but I can live with it.
 
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mousouchop said:
I am not invalidating others’ experience. But I will say that my mini 6 does not have this issue (I pressed with more pressure than usual on points all over my screen with no rippling at press point nor elsewhere).

And while I assume all mini 6’s present “jelly scrolling” (per iFixit analysis), it is mercifully imperceptible to my eyes.

RE: Overall LCD panel quality— I don’t think it falls too short of my iPhone 11, if at all. Albeit, I think the iPhone has higher max brightness, by design.

Overall, upgrading from a Gen 1 which I rarely used, I’m pretty happy with my purchase…
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Bingo. Sadly there's a lot of posturing to convince people to change their opinioin.


quibo said:
First time posting, I thought this was important enough to sign up for.

First, the jelly scrolling is real. I saw it on my two mini 6's and all the demos. It doesn't bother me for day to day use but it's there. Definitely more noticeable than other apple screens.

The reason why I say 2 minis is because the first one had a distorted screen. It was if the lcd wasn't lamented to the glass, there were a few gaps or folds. It was clear just looking at it, especially with a white or bright screen. And it did distort and shift in use, much more than any touch screen I've used, it took very little pressure to make it happen. It was like a bare lcd panel without glass. Not that bad but that kind of distortion. Again, it's like the lcd was installed incorrectly or not completely attached to the glass. Several apple store people took one look and agreed something was clearly wrong. I got a replacement. The new one seems ok so far, I keep looking. The demos were ok as well, they didn't have the distortion.

I do worry that these screen problems are due to cutting costs or a design issue, something that might not be limited to a few. I've never thought twice about the screens on apple products, they've always been great. But I'm a little paranoid that this is a real problem that may effect this iPad after the warranty expires. I like the iPad mini 6. It's exactly what I was hoping, other than I wish it had Face ID. I hope it holds up.
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Welcome! Your concern about long-term issues is a valid one. There have been many reports here of a "white spot" appearing on the screen of iPads larger than 10.5" over the past few years. The white spot developed over time... 1 -2 years after purchase.

Will the Mini 6 suffer from something similar? Impossible to tell at this point. No one can guarantee against long term issues. But it will be helpful for people to be honest with themselves about how they feel about defects should they arise (and not talk themselves out of being concerned, or convince themselves that they should be concerned)
 
This one concerns me a bit more than the jelly scrolling. Either the the jelly scrolling bothers you or it doesn't. I don't think it will get worse over time.

This can affect resale value and could get worse over time. I learned my lesson with the iPad Pro 10.5 and the "white spot". Mine didn't have it at the beginning, but developed it later after. I handed it down to my my a couple of years ago and I could see it then, but still wasn't too bad. Last month I saw it in person for the first time in a while and it is really bad now.
 
Ah, maybe the problem is he shot the video in portrait mode via a crappy iPhone camera which Apple got out of a box of Cracker-Jacks! :p (Seriously, why post a YT video in narrow portrait mode when you know it will be mostly pillar-boxed!)

If that is real, then Apple certainly has screwed up this mini. Maybe they found a supplier who gave them a dollar discount on each screen. They need to cover that big bonus for Tim Apple and his band of grossly overpaid executives and bean counters.
 
My Mini 6 arrived on launch day and has become my favorite iPad. Whether I'm just fortunate to have no problems or just not picky/detailed enough to notice them, its a great tool for me...If battery life was a bit longer and it had an option for 512G or storage rather than 256G it would be a near-perfect tool, but in this case I'd definitely not accept significantly-increased weight and/or size in exchange for those capabilities...
 
ian87w said:
You sure? If you press on an LCD screen, does the distortion happen on a completely different and constant place? Usually it occurs at the place you press, not at a different place. I mean you can try it on your TV or monitor.

But I guess a potential hardware defect is acceptable for you? Your standard must be quite low.
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I'm positive. Seen it happen before on other devices. It's not unique or a flaw with the new iPad Mini.

agsystems said:
The problem is that iPad mini is refreshed so infrequently that the user will be stuck with the problem for 2-4 years if the issue its not found during the return period

This is not like the iphone bendgate situation that only lasted 1 generation.
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Their isn't a problem though. It's been an issue with LCD screens since they were first made... press hard enough and you get blotches as the liquid is squashed.
 
Apple has to be laughing a bit if seeing many comments about this.

They jack the prices of the Mini line 25% across the board while releasing models with differently oriented screens that really highlight LCD Jelly Scroll (in portrait in this case)...Some even say it's a lesser quality screen (not sure I agree)...and now these other issues cropping up...

..and a large swath of people are like "meh - I can work around it" or "I don't use portrait orientation THAT much" or "I can just read in landscape instead!"

What a luxury as a company to be able to charge premium prices for sub premium products and your customer base is conditioned to just "tolerate it" and - even worse - defend the company!

Incredible.
Apple really has built up an impressive cult like following.
 
Jelly issue is based on a design choice to prioritize landscape over portrait. It can't be fixed without a design change. Everyone who is able to perceive it and is annoyed by it will see it on every Mini 6 so replacement is pointless. Return it and get a Mini 5 which is prioritized for portrait or wait for a Mini 7 with a 120hz screen where it will be less of an issue.

Distortion issue looks to be a manufacturing defect that effects some unknown number of devices. If see it or any other defect and otherwise like the product, return for a replacement. We don't have enough information to determine if it is a bad batch of screens, or just random bad ones not caught in QA. It does not look endemic.
 
Gee, I must have missed out on these display issues with my 10.5" iPad Pro because my model was the first to use ProMotion 120 Hz refresh.... 🤔 🤷‍♂️
 
mousouchop said:
I am not invalidating others’ experience. But I will say that my mini 6 does not have this issue (I pressed with more pressure than usual on points all over my screen with no rippling at press point nor elsewhere).
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Okay— if I press *really* hard, I guess I get slight ripples. Like, well beyond what I’d ever consider doing on this device…

But why would I ever do anything more than TAP? These things don’t have 3D Touch or Force Touch or whatever.

Just taaap (it in).
 
HDTV Test explains why it is happening:


Essentially, it is the location of the TCON (Timing Controller) on the right side instead of at the top like on earlier models.

And if you scroll slower, you don't see it. It is most-pronounced when you are "speed flicking" content.
 
Checked my iPad Mini 6 and the jiggle effect is noticeable if you are fast scrolling, or scrolling back in forth quickly, but its not as big as an issues to me as it is others.. I've seen it before but it is probably more noticeable on the mini6 for some reason.

However the discoloration i do see, but you have to be pushing down with some force to see it. It actually appears around all parts of the screen (close to the edges). When in the middle of the screen it is not happening (or is so small i don't notice it). I generally never press hard on the screen as there is no reason to. So I dont really see this as an issue unless someone is banging on their screen with a heavy press.

Dont think i will return mine because the issue only happens when i press hard. Even with the apple pencil you will see it discolor if you are pressing harder to get a darker line, but any screen you press on you run the risk of pressing too hard to where it discolors or freaks out ...

Would i expect this on the mini6? No, but it also depends on use case. I dont use mine with an apple pencil, it is more or less a glorified drone screen. I guess if i was using this with apple pencil i would just get the pro iPad.. However, if i was using this iPad with an Apple pencil i would be a little ticked off to see it discolor when i writing or drawing.

That would be design/hardware issue as where the jiggle effect i believe can be correct with software
 
LFC2020 said:
All of these issues could've been avoided if they gave the iPad mini a proper mini led display and 120hz, instead we got a price bump, and the same crappy Retina display that has been around for years.
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I would have been happy with pro motion alone, a mini iPad Pro 11 inch. I think that’s fair for $500. The distortion/discoloration looks like a manufacturing or design issue, like they tried to figure out a cheaper way to laminate the screen to the glass. It looks like it’s loose under the glass so any pressure pushes the glass against the screen instead of the glass and screen pressing down together.
 
MeSoApple said:
I returned the iPad mini 6.



I’ll wait for the next iPad mini 7

With liquid retina display, M1 chip, 120Hz refresh rate, 512GB Storage.



Maybe it’s just a dream…
😉
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I would've been happy with just 512GB storage. Can't beleive they upgraded everything, but left it 64/256 options. It can take 4K/60 video now and still 64 is the base?
 
quibo said:
I would have been happy with pro motion alone, a mini iPad Pro 11 inch. I think that’s fair for $500. The distortion/discoloration looks like a manufacturing or design issue, like they tried to figure out a cheaper way to laminate the screen to the glass. It looks like it’s loose under the glass so any pressure pushes the glass against the screen instead of the glass and screen pressing down together.
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It's criminal that apple gave the mini a price bump this year, with hardly any improvements apart from a redesign.

Still using the same old dated display from years ago. felt like throwing up, when they were raving on about the Retina display during the event. 🤦‍♂️😂

Screen Shot 2021-10-07 at 6.44.14 am.png
 
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