Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad mini iPad mini 7 Lag

al404

al404

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
I bought an iPad mini 7 after watching many reviews.

I know it has a 60Hz display, but as far as I’m aware my MacBook Air M3 also has a 60Hz screen. On the iPad mini, however, animations (opening and closing apps), scrolling through Facebook in the app, and scrolling web pages feel slightly choppy — almost as if they’re not fully smooth. I don’t notice this on my MacBook.

It almost feels like a performance issue with the A17 chip or possibly the RAM.

I’m running the latest version of iOS. I’ve tried restoring it and setting it up as new, but nothing changes.

I’m quite undecided whether to return it and move to an iPad 11, even though the mini’s size is ideal for my use.

I could also consider an Android tablet, but I would lose sync for notes, calendar, etc., and I’m not sure how well Android apps are optimized for tablets. From what I can see, optimization seems quite limited.
 
If you’re dissatisfied with a mini 7’s performance I can guarantee that you’ll be even less satisfied with the lagginess of the iPad 11. I have both of them, and I have no problems with the performance of the mini at all, but the 11 stutters regularly and reloads apps pretty often as well.

Battery life is also noticeably worse on the iPad 11.

(Both devices are on iPadOS 26.3)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 01cowherd and Digitalguy
al404 said:
I bought an iPad mini 7 after watching many reviews.

It almost feels like a performance issue with the A17 chip or possibly the RAM.

I’m running the latest version of iOS.
Click to expand...
It's probably iPad OS 26. I have that with both my Mini 7 and 11" M2 Air since moving from iPad 18 to 26. It's something that will eventually be addressed. I remember the choppiness in iOS 7 and especially when rotating the iPad. It was eventually fixed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: burgman
It’s always something said:
If you’re dissatisfied with a mini 7’s performance I can guarantee that you’ll be even less satisfied with the lagginess of the iPad 11. I have both of them, and I have no problems with the performance of the mini at all, but the 11 stutters regularly and reloads apps pretty often as well.

Battery life is also noticeably worse on the iPad 11.

(Both devices are on iPadOS 26.3)
Click to expand...
Sorry I was referring to iPad Air 11

I’m running iPadOs 26.3 that has just been released. Not sure is this performance issue was already there on previous version.

I have some days leafy to return it but 11 fold kind of too big

I also noticed that some elements seems to be design for bigger iPad, like widget that are too small. On iPhone has a better size. Font are also often kind of too small but I didn’t increase them on my iPhone and I’m not on max, just a iPhone pro
 
I have the iPad mini 6 and experienced everything you wrote. I've also tried resetting mine several times, updating OSs and hoping it would get better with time but to no avail.

It's what's referred to as "Jelly scroll". It's been a thing since the mini 6 was released and unfortunately hasn't been resolved on the mini 7. And yes, the iPadOS experience is also quite bad on the mini, with UI elements being too small.

My recommendation is to return it.

I went back to my old iPad Pro 11" from 2018. Still a fantastic device, MUCH better than the mini. I'm sure the iPad Air is too.
 
  • Love
Reactions: turbineseaplane
It looks like portrait has more issues
And maybe in normal day to day use is less noticeable
 
Maybe the first day is optimizing in background

I feel that this is the right size so I guess I will keep it
 
It’s always something said:
Speaking for two mini 7 users here (my wife and me): don’t listen to the naysayers about the display. Make your own choice. Millions of people love the mini 7, including us. I think the display is fantastic: it’s the highest resolution one available in any iPad (yes, including the Pro).
Click to expand...

It has the highest PPI density but not the highest display resolution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FrozenShivers
thejadedmonkey said:
Second that. My iPad Mini 7 is subjectively worse than my Mini 6 was in every metric (except Apple Intelligence which... lol)
Click to expand...
Subjectively being the operative word of course. I own both and while I don't think the 7 is much different than the 6 I can't agree that it's worse "in every metric." Personally I notice slightly better day to day performance albeit marginal. I normally disable animations in the UI because I can't stand the jutter that is sometimes present. I would much prefer a better display.

Whether it's a result of the higher CPU core speeds or the additional RAM I don't know but the 7 is a little snappier and performs better in web browsing. USB-C transfer speeds from my SD card reader to internal storage on the Mini 7 is much faster. Other than that they're the same and were it not for me needing another mini in our household I wouldn't have upgraded from the 6 to the 7 for myself.
 
After using the iPad mini for few days I can say that I’m not focus as I was when I just got it, on how fast animation open and close but I’m relay enjoying the size and the screen is pretty good even under direct sun light
 
  • Like
Reactions: IJBrekke and It’s always something
Just picked up a mini 7. Mostly to see if I would like the form for the rumored fold. I thought about keeping it until the fold was released and then giving it to my son. Honestly, I think I would love an iPhone fold with 120 hz screen like this. But the mini 7 is soooo jittery looking. I’ve read other reviews that say the same thing. It bothers my eyes watching text scroll on this thing. It’s going back ASAP.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: turbineseaplane and muzzy996
rillrill said:
Just picked up a mini 7. Mostly to see if I would like the form for the rumored fold. I thought about keeping it until the fold was released and then giving it to my son. Honestly, I think I would love an iPhone fold with 120 hz screen like this. But the mini 7 is soooo jittery looking. I’ve read other reviews that say the same thing. It bothers my eyes watching text scroll on this thing. It’s going back ASAP.
Click to expand...

is that perceived jelly scrolling effect to you or just dealing with 60hz?
 
it may be both. definitely 60 hz though. However, I have an m1 iMac, and, while the scrolling is blurred, it's not nearly as noticeable. I think the display panel in the mini is just low quality, personally. It also may be because the iPad is held closer, so I see it more. Who knows, but it's not for me, and I am actually returning it today.
 
It seems it depends from the connector since a standard monitor view mode is just in one direction
in landscape mode is less noticeable
 
I have an iPad Air 3 (2017, A12 Bionic) and iPad 9 (2021, A13 Bionic). The last ones with Home Button.

The mini 7 has been released in Oktober 2024 with an A17 Pro. It should be much faster than any of my devices.

I am not really an iPad user but the last time I used mine last year they seemed to run great on some iPadOS 26.x Beta. Even faster than my SE3 with A15 Bionic and a much smaller screen.

Maybe it's the newer versions.

I already downgraded to Sequoia from Tahoe 26.4 Beta 2 on my M4 Pro Mac mini because it is getting worse with every new point update.
 
Adora said:
I have an iPad Air 3 (2017, A12 Bionic) and iPad 9 (2021, A13 Bionic). The last ones with Home Button.

The mini 7 has been released in Oktober 2024 with an A17 Pro. It should be much faster than any of my devices.

I am not really an iPad user but the last time I used mine last year they seemed to run great on some iPadOS 26.x Beta. Even faster than my SE3 with A15 Bionic and a much smaller screen.

Maybe it's the newer versions.

I already downgraded to Sequoia from Tahoe 26.4 Beta 2 on my M4 Pro Mac mini because it is getting worse with every new point update.
Click to expand...
Ipad mini 7 is fast as far hardware goes.

It is just the screen has response rate in 50ms zone and it makes it feel sluggish by eye compared to smaller 60hz screens or ipad pros.

It is what it is unfortunately.
 
rillrill said:
Just picked up a mini 7. Mostly to see if I would like the form for the rumored fold. I thought about keeping it until the fold was released and then giving it to my son. Honestly, I think I would love an iPhone fold with 120 hz screen like this. But the mini 7 is soooo jittery looking. I’ve read other reviews that say the same thing. It bothers my eyes watching text scroll on this thing. It’s going back ASAP.
Click to expand...

The iPad Mini 6/7 have some of the worst screens ever sold by Apple.
It's really incredible and I struggle to understand what cost cutting or product de-speccing they did to achieve it.

It's why I still have and vastly prefer my Mini 5.
 
Last edited:
  • Sad
Reactions: Adora
I was really considering buying the iPad Mini 7 to replace my Mini 4 (that can no longer launch Disney+) next month as we will travel to Asia where it is way cheaper than in Europe.

But seeing your comments, I might wait and buy the iPad Mini 8 even if it will be more expensive
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back