iPad mini rMini Image Retention Problem-Tested

[jonxwilliams]

My fiancee and I ordered the exact same size and color retina mini on the same day, receiving them just minutes apart (at our workplaces).

Both 32GB, Wifi Only, Silver with the DLXL serial.

We tested the image retention at the same time, side by side, with full brightness and leaving it on for the full 10 minutes. Mine has a faint-medium level of retention. Her's has absolutely zero image retention!

Mine also has a dead pixel in the middle (her's has none). I'm going to be bringing this one back today if my local store gets more in stock... This is so silly to have to play a lottery to get a good model.

 

[OzyOly]

This is so silly to have to play a lottery to get a good model.

I hear you!

 

[BC-2]

My mini didn't have any IR but my Air has very bad IR after just 5 minutes. Is it worth replacing it? Makes moving to 32gb just that much easier.

If your IR is really bad, if it were me, I'd exchange it. Mainly because it could become noticeable during typical use. I exchanged the first Mini due to excessive yellowing on the bottom of the screen.

I find it hard to believe that there are displays out there with zero IR after marco test for the full 10 minutes. I may of course be wrong but I think the issue is the degree of IR which, apparently is worse on some units.
So does anyone have a unit that passed the 10 minute marco test with flying colors (i.e. not even the slightest trace of IR whatsoever)? Keep in mind that whole issue is complicated by the fact that not everyone's vision is the same!

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Can you elaborate what you mean when you say no issues? How long did you test? Do you have good vision? Did you look carefully?

I did not run the test for the full 10min. I ran it for 5min at full brightness and there was zero retention. My vision is pretty good. Both my Air and Mini do have very slight yellowing that my wife and most people can't see so if there were even the slightest IR, I would have noticed.

I can't say if there would or wouldn't be any IR at 10min but having ran it for 5min full brightness with zero IR, far exceeds any typical scenario of use for me. No need for me to go further.

 

[jonxwilliams]

My fiancee and I ordered the exact same size and color retina mini on the same day, receiving them just minutes apart (at our workplaces).

Both 32GB, Wifi Only, Silver with the DLXL serial.

We tested the image retention at the same time, side by side, with full brightness and leaving it on for the full 10 minutes. Mine has a faint-medium level of retention. Her's has absolutely zero image retention!

Mine also has a dead pixel in the middle (her's has none). I'm going to be bringing this one back today if my local store gets more in stock... This is so silly to have to play a lottery to get a good model.

Just a follow up for anyone interested:

I swapped out my iPad mini last night, and got another DLXL serial (same color/size). This replacement had no dead pixels (yay!) but had much worse retention. This time the checkerboard retention is much sharper and took longer to fade than the first.

I feel really guilty doing returns like this, but I KNOW they are not all like this since my fiancee's is perfect! I again tested hers right beside my replacement last night and again, hers has absolutely no retention.

I went back to the store just before close last night, and the manager did a phenomenal job assuring me that it was totally fine to return it - and that he would do the same. My local stores always do a great job as far as customer service, and have never thought twice about replacements when issues like this have occurred.

Unfortunately they ran out of my size/color after my first visit there yesterday, but the Apple store on the other side of town had one and is holding it for me. I'll be heading over there in a little bit for my 3rd try... wish me luck!

 

[wermy]

DLXL 32GB wifi-only here. Just tested for 10min+ (I was sweating bullets the whole time, worried I'd cause some permanent burn-in). No image retention at all that I could see! Whew!

 

[richard371]

Don't feel guilty. You deserve to get one that is right since they do exist. Apple wants you to be satisfied and they will just refurbish and resell it. They have so much money they don't know what to do with.

My problem is I feel a little embarrassed explaining and showing them the screen issues since they are faint but still there. They must think " gawd this guy is picky. Also I'm tired of making trips to the Apple store.

it

Just a follow up for anyone interested:

I swapped out my iPad mini last night, and got another DLXL serial (same color/size). This replacement had no dead pixels (yay!) but had much worse retention. This time the checkerboard retention is much sharper and took longer to fade than the first.

I feel really guilty doing returns like this, but I KNOW they are not all like this since my fiancee's is perfect! I again tested hers right beside my replacement last night and again, hers has absolutely no retention.

I went back to the store just before close last night, and the manager did a phenomenal job assuring me that it was totally fine to return it - and that he would do the same. My local stores always do a great job as far as customer service, and have never thought twice about replacements when issues like this have occurred.

Unfortunately they ran out of my size/color after my first visit there yesterday, but the Apple store on the other side of town had one and is holding it for me. I'll be heading over there in a little bit for my 3rd try... wish me luck!

 

[Whoakapi]

DLXL 32GB wifi-only here. Just tested for 10min+ (I was sweating bullets the whole time, worried I'd cause some permanent burn-in). No image retention at all that I could see! Whew!

Did you crank up the brightness to 100%?

Not that you don't have a good screen, I just get the feeling that some people doesn't test it properly.

 

[USA2K13]

Sad that's it's come to this, after all, I didn't buy the iPad from the bargain bin.

-Kevin

I agree 100%. I am waiting for my 32GB wifi model wondering if it will be acceptable or not. For a mini tablet that is twice as much as the closet competitors models this is not acceptable.

 

[wermy]

Did you crank up the brightness to 100%?

Not that you don't have a good screen, I just get the feeling that some people doesn't test it properly.

Yes, brightness at 100%, auto-brightness off, and didn't let the screen dim/timeout.

 

[hofnar]

I received 2.

Mini 1 had very faint image retention but the screen (on full brightness) but was not as bright as the other one, and also displayed a yellow tint in some areas.

Mini 2 shows image retention, but the screen is a consistent white, and brighter than the other.

I returned the 1st, contemplating on returning the other. I don't see any retention with normal use, only when I do the test.

 

[jonxwilliams]

Just a follow up for anyone interested:

I swapped out my iPad mini last night, and got another DLXL serial (same color/size). This replacement had no dead pixels (yay!) but had much worse retention. This time the checkerboard retention is much sharper and took longer to fade than the first.

I feel really guilty doing returns like this, but I KNOW they are not all like this since my fiancee's is perfect! I again tested hers right beside my replacement last night and again, hers has absolutely no retention.

I went back to the store just before close last night, and the manager did a phenomenal job assuring me that it was totally fine to return it - and that he would do the same. My local stores always do a great job as far as customer service, and have never thought twice about replacements when issues like this have occurred.

Unfortunately they ran out of my size/color after my first visit there yesterday, but the Apple store on the other side of town had one and is holding it for me. I'll be heading over there in a little bit for my 3rd try... wish me luck!

3rd iPad: Perfect screen retention, but has a deal pixel near the center, as well as a small ding on the back of the iPad.

This is infuriating to me. I feel like the odds of getting a perfect combo are 1:1,000,000 at this point.

 

[richard371]

From my exp its the sharp screens that are perfectly white but have the bad image retention. Its less to none on the LG or Samsung screens but they tend to suffer from uneven yellow tint etc esp on the air.

I received 2.

Mini 1 had very faint image retention but the screen (on full brightness) but was not as bright as the other one, and also displayed a yellow tint in some areas.

Mini 2 shows image retention, but the screen is a consistent white, and brighter than the other.

I returned the 1st, contemplating on returning the other. I don't see any retention with normal use, only when I do the test.

 

[USA2K13]

Just got the 32GB wifi retina mini.
Ten minute test shows image retention. Retention fades in about 60 seconds.
Five minute test shows image retention. Retention fades in about 30 seconds.
No yellowing, No light leakage and No dead pixels.

Hearing from the other people about their return issues I will just wait things out for now and see if I even notice it during normal use.

Good luck to everyone else. Hopefully you will get a good screen on the first try or on your returns.

 

[M5RahuL]

iPad mini 32GB WiFi from the Apple store.
Serial : DQTLN........

Tested for ~10 minutes at max brightness and 'Auto Lock' set to 'Never'

No IR. Screen is milky white with No uneven tint, gradient, or yellowing. As good as my iPad 2 !

The iPad Air (32gb LTE ) is slightly warmer, but even all around.

What sucks is, I need to get the cellular version of the mini .... Thought I'd be okay with a WiFi one but ... Oh well...

 

[netnothing]

iPad mini 32GB WiFi from the Apple store.
Serial : DQTLN........

Tested for ~10 minutes at max brightness and 'Auto Lock' set to 'Never'

No IR. Screen is milky white with No uneven tint, gradient, or yellowing. As good as my iPad 2 !

The iPad Air (32gb LTE ) is slightly warmer, but even all around.

What sucks is, I need to get the cellular version of the mini .... Thought I'd be okay with a WiFi one but ... Oh well...

Goes to show you that trying to find a pattern with serial numbers is useless. I have a DQTLN that has image retention, but it does have a uniform white screen.

-Kevin

 

[USA2K13]

I have image retention on a 32GB wifi rMini.

I called in to Apple customer support three different times.
I got the same answer all three times.

"If something like that were to happen, it would be covered under the one year warranty and Apple would replace the device at no cost."

 

[OzyOly]

I have image retention on a 32GB wifi rMini.

I called in to Apple customer support three different times.
I got the same answer all three times.

"If something like that were to happen, it would be covered under the one year warranty and Apple would replace the device at no cost."

If mine does that, I'm going to ask for it in writing to hold them to it.

 

[ZBoater]

...I called in to Apple customer support three different times.
I got the same answer all three times.

"If something like that were to happen, it would be covered under the one year warranty and Apple would replace the device at no cost."

"Hello, Apple customer support?"

"Yes, how can we help you today?"

"If I stare at my iPad screen displaying a full screen checkered board at full brightness for 10 minutes, and then switch to a full screen grey background, and I can see some image retention, would you replace my iPad under warranty?"

"Yes, of course at no cost to you. Although we suggest you not stare at a checkered board for 10 minutes. May we instead recommend one of our 475,000 apps from our App store?"

"Click. Hello? Hello?"

 

[cfairbank]

My DLXL mini 64 LTE has the image retention issue as well. When running the test at full brightness I have significant ghosting at 10 minutes but running the test for only 3 minutes you can already see image retention. Decided last night to make a genius appointment and took the mini in today. I had documented in the notes section of my appointment the model mini I had and the issue I was experiencing. When the genius approached me I explained my issue and he simply said ok and went straight into writing up a replacement ticket. Informed me that they did not have my model in stock but should only take 3 to 4 days to have one shipped to store. Keep in mind that he hasn't even looked at my iPad yet. I signed the ticket and then finally asked if he wanted to see the iPad after running the image retention test from marco.org. He said sure, after 8 minutes we switched to the grey screen and sure enough you could see the retention.

As always I have had great service with any issue I have encountered with apple and the genius bar. I am guessing that the genius's are aware of the issues probably based on model numbers since he really did not bat an eye or question anything about the problem I was having.

Anyways, I will continue to enjoy using the mini I have until the new one comes in a few days.

 

[OzyOly]

....

Was this in the UK?

 

[jonxwilliams]

-snip-
Keep in mind that he hasn't even looked at my iPad yet.
-snip-

Yeah, this is similar to my experiences as well. In fact the 3 times i've been at the store (never set appts, just walked in) they haven't looked at the 2 iPads I've returned so far.

To be fair though, if you look at Apple's return policy it states that you can bring back an item (with no reason specified) for a replacement/refund during the first 2 weeks. They have good customer service, but it doesn't stop me from being nervous or feeling guilty when this stuff happens.

I'll be trying my preferred store again tomorrow to see if they have any in stock (still out of stock today) and will be trying again hopefully soon. Lottery ticket #4!

 

[Thrifty1]

"If I stare at my iPad screen displaying a full screen checkered board at full brightness for 10 minutes, and then switch to a full screen grey background, and I can see some image retention, would you replace my iPad under warranty?"

I hope there are not too many staring at the screen during the 10 minute test. You will see image retention due to burn in to your eyes, not the screen. Do that for 10 min and then look at a wall... Just don't blame Apple for the checkerboard you see on the wall.

 

[cfairbank]

was this in the uk?

us.

 

[ichavis]

My iPad Mini Retina has all the flaws everyone has complained about. I just smashed it against the wall and its in lots of pieces. Its now out of pain, i'll return it to Apple tomorrow and hopefully the next one won't have all these issues.

 

[Señor]

Question: Did you notice the yellow-ish screen BEFORE you ran stress tests on it and burn your batterie by setting brightness to full? Because I'm sure if you don't see it before all this, you TOTALLY don't have a problem.