iPad Mini 7 Reviews Say 'Jelly Scrolling' is Fixed, With a Major Exception

[MacRumors]

The first iPad mini 7 reviews were published today, and many of them said that "jelly scrolling" display behavior is either less noticeable or fully unnoticeable on the device. However, one prominent technology website disagrees.

The major exception is The Verge.

"The 'jelly scrolling' effect from the last model is still very much present," opined The Verge's David Pierce.

In a follow-up comment shared on Threads, Pierce said "I'm sitting here scrolling on both the 2021 and 2024 Mini, and if you forced me to pick which one is better I'd say the 2024 wiggles LESS. But it still wiggles."

Many other reviews said that "jelly scrolling" seems to be fixed, as a result of Apple making display-related hardware changes to minimize the effect.

Jason Snell, writing for Six Colors:

It's my understanding that the new model's display circuitry is different from the old model, and I couldn't detect any "jelly scrolling" in my use. It doesn't mean it's for sure gone, and I'm looking forward to eagle-eyed "jelly scrolling" experts reporting back with their results, but I sure couldn't see it, even when I recorded myself scrolling at a high frame rate and played it back frame by frame.

Craig Grannell, writing for Stuff:

Apple reckons it's optimised the display, but won't provide any details on how. To my eyes, the jelly scrolling doesn't look as bad as I recall it being last time, but bear in mind two things. First, I don't have the old iPad mini to compare. Secondly, I wasn't too fussed about this last time anyway.

Nathan Ingraham, writing for Engadget:

One bit of good news about the screen is that it seems Apple has fixed the "jelly-scrolling" problem that plagued the prior iPad mini. Jelly-scrolling occurs when one side of a screen doesn't refresh at exactly the same rate as the other, and this effect was noticeable in portrait mode with the old iPad mini. It's not something that I ever noticed while using the new iPad mini. I am curious to see if the issue has been totally resolved or if my eyes just didn't catch it, but I'll continue using the iPad mini in the coming weeks to see if I spot any display issues.

Brenda Stolyar, writing for WIRED:

But I can't talk about the iPad Mini display without going over the infamous “jelly scrolling” fiasco on the 2021 model. iPad Mini owners bemoaned that one side of the screen refreshed slower than the other when scrolling up and down on the display. I didn't experience this with my Mini, but Apple did make it a point to optimize the LCD in the latest model to alleviate this issue. Apple was tight-lipped on exactly what it changed, but for what it's worth, I once again have yet to see any problems on my test unit.

Tony Polanco, writing for Tom's Guide:

Lastly, I didn't notice the infamous "jelly scrolling" screen-tearing effect that plagued the iPad mini 6 during my testing. I can't say whether or not Apple fixed this issue or I simply didn't see it. But if that should change, I'll update this review.

Federico Viticci, writing at MacStories:

And while the display technology is unchanged – it's an IPS display that refreshes at 60 Hz – the so-called jelly scrolling issue has been fixed thanks to an optimized display controller.

"Jelly scrolling" refers to screen tearing, which can cause text or images on one side of the screen to appear to be tilted downwards because of a mismatch in refresh rates. It can cause one side of the display to look as if it is responding faster than the other side, resulting in a visual disturbance that is hard to ignore once noticed.

"Jelly scrolling" on iPad mini 6​

The effect is noticeable on the iPad mini 6 when the device was used in portrait orientation, leading to complaints from customers over the past three years.

Shortly after the iPad mini 6 launched, an Apple spokesperson told Ars Technica on background that "jelly scrolling" was "normal" behavior for iPads with LCD displays. Given that LCDs refresh line by line, there is a tiny delay between when the lines at the top and lines at the bottom are refreshed. The effect is particularly noticeable on the iPad mini 6 because it can be seen in portrait orientation rather than landscape orientation.

The new iPad mini launches this Wednesday, October 23.

Article Link: iPad Mini 7 Reviews Say 'Jelly Scrolling' is Fixed, With a Major Exception

 

[turbineseaplane]

It's not fixed .. it's "better"
They "optimized the display controller"

(or something to that effect .. whatever that even might mean, who knows)

Depending upon who you ask, it's still there in some form
What a massive disappointment

What happened to Apple?

 

[abatabia]

Can’t Apple just be open about this? What’s the big deal? Just admit “hey, it may have been an issue with the 6, so we made sure to fix it on the 7.” Is that so hard to just be open?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Can’t Apple just be open about this? What’s the big deal? Just admit “hey, it may have been an issue with the 6, so we made sure to fix it on the 7.” Is that so hard to just be open?

Yes, we need a thread titled: Tim Cook Admits Truth About Vision Pro Following Lackluster Sales Jelly Scrolling

 

[klky]

I'll check it out at the Apple Store and see for myself. Only way to know for sure.

 

[StuBeck]

Can’t Apple just be open about this? What’s the big deal? Just admit “hey, it may have been an issue with the 6, so we made sure to fix it on the 7.” Is that so hard to just be open?

They said it wasn't an issue at all when the iPad Mini 6 came out. I'm not sure why they had to essentially lie about an issue that existed.

 

[jclardy]

Man, if they didn't fix it then the Mini 7 is a hard pass for me. The Mini 6 was the worst Apple display I've used in a long while.

 

[x-evil-x]

Just give it a 120hz screen already. Not sure why they haven’t made a pro version of this iPad yet

 

[turbineseaplane]

Man, if they didn't fix it then the Mini 7 is a hard pass for me. The Mini 6 was the worst Apple display I've used in a long while.

Even if they did address the jelly a little bit, worry not, it's still a garbage spec display in all other ways

I hate going here, but Steve truly would not have shipped such a piece of junk (relative to long term Apple standards)

 

[JokoWidodo]

do previous generation iPad mini 5 and older have this issue ?

 

[brofkand]

Typical Apple - ignore an issue, gaslight users, and fix it in the next rev.

 

[Fuchal]

I for one love Jelly Scrolling. I hope Apple adds it to more products.

 

[turbineseaplane]

do previous generation iPad mini 5 and older have this issue ?

Yes, in the landscape orientation where it basically never catches ones eye

(And I say this as someone who’s very jelly sensitive … on my Mini 5 as I type this)

 

[brofkand]

Even if they did address the jelly a little bit, worry not, it's still a garbage spec display in all other ways

I hate going here, but Steve truly would not have shipped such a piece of junk (relative to long term Apple standards)

Steve used to often say, "our competitors ship the panels we reject"

 

[turbineseaplane]

Steve used to often say, "our competitors ship the panels we reject"

It has dawned on me that we are now so far removed from the Steve era that vast majority of the Apple user base doesn’t even know what kind of quality standard we are talking about here

It’s sad

 

[gsmornot]

How did so many reviewers not see the effect on the 6? Then can’t comment on the 7. I will see for myself tomorrow. Even if it does it I still really like my mini. It’s a daily use item.

 

[Slix]

I think these days there will always be people who complain about displays not being "perfect" enough, regardless how severe the issue is. That said, I've not used a Mini 6 so I can't say for sure personally.

 

[UltimateSyn]

It was insanely prominent and obvious on my Mini 6 unit, I'll be curious to try out my Mini 7 tomorrow. It's going back if it's bad

 

[klasma]

Can’t Apple just be open about this? What’s the big deal? Just admit “hey, it may have been an issue with the 6, so we made sure to fix it on the 7.” Is that so hard to just be open?

A real fix would entail rotating the screen refresh orientation by 90 degrees. The Verge’s statement sounds like maybe Apple didn’t change that.

It’s disappointing that none of the reviewers so far seem to have a good understanding of the issue. Well, we’ll know soon enough.

 

[IJBrekke]

There’s a few unboxing videos on YouTube - when they demonstrate scrolling, it looks like the iPad Mini 1-5 to my eye. I would like The Verge to demonstrate exactly what it is they are seeing.

Edit: There are more videos now available - I would say it’s definitely improved, but still present. This will come down to the in-person eye test for almost all users.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I don't think jelly scrolling is that much of an issue. Didn't bug me a bit when I borrowed my brother's Mini 6. And I'm one of the guys that doesn't shut up about 120hz!

 

[turbineseaplane]

There’s a few unboxing videos on YouTube - when they demonstrate scrolling, it looks like the iPad Mini 1-5 to my eye. I would like The Verge to demonstrate exactly what it is they are seeing.

Pierce is on socials commenting about it right now

The jelly is a little bit better, but it is still there, to his eyes with both devices side-by-side right now

That’s actually a better piece of data than videos of something like this

 

[mysticmanix]

It's STILL there as clear as day:

If you can't see it, then congrats get on with your life. But let's just say I wouldn't trust you to be my airplane pilot

 

[awshucks]

Went from a 2018 iPad Pro to an iPad mini 6 and have not gone back. Jelly scrolling what?

 

[outlawarth]

Today's headlines: Apple fixed something that, first of all, should have never been there in the first place. And then it only took them several years to resolve. And it's still not clear if it's resolved!

Great work Apple! Bunch of amateurs and greedy bean counters running the show now I guess.