iPad Mini 6 Users Complain of 'Jelly Scrolling' Issue in Portrait Orientation

[MacRumors]

Now that new iPad mini 6 owners have had a couple of days with Apple's latest redesigned tablet, some users are noticing an issue being referred to as "jelly scroll" when viewing the screen in portrait mode.

The term refers to a noticeable effect when scrolling vertically through text-based content like a webpage or document, where each line of text appears to tilt down towards the left of the screen as it passes by. The effect makes it look as though one side of the display is responding faster than the other when a finger drags to scroll the page.

Several MacRumors readers have noted the issue, which seems to affect users to a variable degree. Some iPad mini 6 owners claim they noticed the effect despite being ignorant of similar reports in the wild, while others see it only after having been made aware that it was even a thing.

Moreover, some users, having seen it, claim to be unable to "unsee" it, after which it becomes irritating to witness and can even induce eye strain. The issue was first brought to wider attention in a tweet by The Verge's Dieter Bohn, who demonstrated the effect in a slo-mo video.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1440678843589689346

MacRumors has independently confirmed that the effect can be seen by different people on the same sixth-generation iPad mini unit. MacRumors can also confirm that the issue was evident on all iPad mini 6 models on display in a local UK Apple Store. The issue wasn't reproducible in landscape orientation when scrolling, indicating this is a vertical refresh issue.

It's currently unclear if this is a hardware issue affecting only a certain batch of iPad mini units, a more widespread hardware problem, or something that could be fixed with a software update. We've reached out to Apple for comment.

Article Link: iPad Mini 6 Users Complain of 'Jelly Scrolling' Issue in Portrait Orientation

 

[dantracht]

Truly hope this can be fixed with a software update. This is not something anyone should have to live with on their brand new iPads. Fingers crossed.

 

[ExxonVS]

Thank you for covering this issue. 🙏🏼

 

[TracerAnalog]

Confirmed. And as usual: once seen it cannot be unseen…

 

[falkon-engine]

That’s unfortunate. I hope there’s a software fix soon for affected users, and it’s not a hardware error. I don’t have that issue on my 64 GB starlight mini.

 

[rfog]

Same here with my 256 GB Teal one. :-(

As said, once noticed, never unseen.

 

[TravelsInBlue]

What an embarrassing issue to have in 2021. Apple really is trying to go cheap to stretch those margins.

It’s a shame since this would otherwise be a perfect device. Love my mini 5, I was tempted to pull the trigger on this one but glad I waited.

 

[5232152]

Overpriced and underdeveloped. God damn it, Tim.

 

[no_idea]

Remember when ppl were complaining about the slight bend in their iPad Pro frame?
…this isn’t a bug, it’s a feature!

 

[gsmornot]

Have an iPad Pro for comparison I noticed it right away. When I show others they see it too. I can look past it and when needed see it. It’s most easily seen with black text on a white background. I’m keeping the iPad mini and thought it was simply the difference in 60 vs 120Hz but if there is a fix for the effect I’m happy to apply that.

Interesting its a portrait mode issue. I never thought to try landscape for comparison My pro basically lives in landscape but my mini is mostly held portrait.

 

[MacFather]

Maybe some day.

 

[Jack55555]

I think if it would be a hardware issue you should see it in both orientations. Of course it is unfortunate and they should definitley fix it but I still love that iPad Mini

 

[Reason077]

And so yet again, MacRumors has to fill in for the failings of Apple's quality assurance. Sad.

 

[Porco]

I don’t anyone was ready for that jelly.

I hope they can fix it, from the example linked on twitter that definitely looks like it would be intolerable once/if you notice it.

 

[slplss]

Do this test (if you wish to ruin your day)

TestUFO: Display Scan Skew - Jelly Effect

TestUFO: Display Scan Skew - Jelly Effect

www.testufo.com

parameters: vertical, as high as possible, bounce

 

[Jim Lahey]

Apple don’t have the best history with LCD panels. Loads of issues over the years from MacBooks with stuck pixels and image retention to iPads with glowing backlight splodges above the home button. Wouldn’t surprise me of this is a hardware foible. Definitely wouldn’t be the first time.

 

[locrumo]

Don't scroll it and wait for the next gen. will be fixed.

 

[ScanTheNavian]

If Apple did this because they want to avoid having the jelly effect in landscape mode, then they should redesign the iPad Mini to have the camera and Apple logo displayed also in landscape. The way it is designed right now it looks like portrait is sort of the default orientation, which I personally expected when I bought it for reading mostly.

 

[AllergyDoc]

We have 2 Mini 6s that display this, though it seems less noticeable on my wife’s unit.

 

[RedTheReader]

I remember when the Galaxy Fold came out in 2019 and I was comparing it to the iPad mini 5, I couldn’t ignore the jelly scroll on the Fold. It was too noticeable while the iPad didn’t have it at all. It’s a bit upsetting to see this happen 2 years later. Hopefully it can be fixed through software.

 

[mazz0]

People install plugins to achieve effects like this on Linux! Apple's just catching up

 

[MathersMahmood]

I don't remember these types of issues happening so frequently. Seems like there's always some issues now.

 

[beach bum]

It must be a QC issue. I can not replicate—landscape, portrait, light and dark modes, and there is no jittering or jelly effect. The scrolling is actually smoother on the 6 than it was on the 5 and especially noticeable in the kindle app. I’ve tested on websites, the kindle app, and other apps… nothing.

 

[slplss]

People install plugins to achieve effects like this on Linux! Apple's just catching up

Oh my… I member the times, I member.

 

[profets]

Now that I've looked for it on my mini I can definitely see the jelly scrolling lol.

Though in all honesty what annoys me more is how rough scrolling and animations look compared to 120Hz on the new iPhone or iPad Pro (though I'm not expecting promotion on the iPad mini anytime soon).