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iPad mini rMini Image Retention Problem-Tested
- Thread starter shadowyman
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I did the test and got the image retention. Then I did my own test. I downloaded a pic of a checkered flag and a grey colored background pic. I then ran the checkered flag picture for two minutes from the photo app. I then switched the the grey background and got no image retention. Same test one using the online website and one using two pics to simulate what the online website did. Different results. Care to tell me why?
Interesting! With all my iPad returns I now have one with no image retention (but dead pixel) so I can't test this.
I do know that my last iPad replacement had retention in more areas than just the checkerboard test website. If I stayed on a page of my home screen apps for ~60 seconds and then slid the app icons to the side a little, the lighter color apps were still very noticeable on my darkish background.
I got my rMini and did the test. I had image retention, but it is not too severe in my mind. I have no yellow screen, led bleeding , etc. I compared color with my ipad 4 and actually prefer the retina mini! The mini seems to display more realistic blues, yellows, and greens, but with a very slightly lighter red.
Interesting. One image displayed by the browser, another by the Photos app, different results?
Things that make you go hmmmmm...
I read this whole thread after receiving my mini. It was really helpful. I ordered a 16gb, space gray, wifi model (DQTL). I ordered it online the first day the minis were available and it shipped from China. I did some testing with a split reverse gradient image to look at the color evenness, and it has a pink/red tint at the top of the screen and a yellow tint at the bottom. After noticing it, I couldn't get past it. I called Apple, mentioned the problem, and ordered a new one. The CSR was very understanding/nice about it and expedited shipping for me.
I received my second mini today (also shipped from China). It's the same model and this one is a DLXL. It has much more even colors and in general the colors are slightly more vibrant.
I did the IR test on both at the same time. Both were at 100% brightness and run for 10 minutes. My DQTL has no IR problems at all, but the DLXL has some retention issues. The checker pattern was faintly evenly visible for about a minute after the test. It's better than other pictures I've seen, but it's still there.
Both models don't have light leakage. I would say if I looked closely, the DLXL model has a minimal amount in the bottom corners.
At this point, I think I'm going to stick with the DLXL. I can't get past the red/yellow hue of my first mini, and I don't want to go back into the lottery. The IR issues on the DLXL probably won't come up in my normal usage.
I received my second mini today (also shipped from China). It's the same model and this one is a DLXL. It has much more even colors and in general the colors are slightly more vibrant.
I did the IR test on both at the same time. Both were at 100% brightness and run for 10 minutes. My DQTL has no IR problems at all, but the DLXL has some retention issues. The checker pattern was faintly evenly visible for about a minute after the test. It's better than other pictures I've seen, but it's still there.
Both models don't have light leakage. I would say if I looked closely, the DLXL model has a minimal amount in the bottom corners.
At this point, I think I'm going to stick with the DLXL. I can't get past the red/yellow hue of my first mini, and I don't want to go back into the lottery. The IR issues on the DLXL probably won't come up in my normal usage.
the serial number perhaps mean first 3 characters (factory number) assembled in China and the 4th character = year of manufacture where the letter L is second half of 2013...
5th character = week of manufacture
6th, 7th, 8th characters = Unique Identifier
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th characters = Model Identifier
the iPad mini-Retina that ifixit took apart has the serial number DLXLKBJKFCM5 which is supplied by LG.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Mini+Retina+Display+Teardown/19374
the iPad Air that ifixit took apart has the serial number DLXLH2J9F4YH which is supplied by LG.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Air+Teardown/18907
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Just bought a retina iPad Mini today and it has serious image retention issues when doing the checkerboard test. I haven't noticed anything in regular use and I don't see the point in trying to exchange it now when it looks like about one in three iPads have the issue. I have AppleCare+ so I'll wait a few months and see if the issue is apparent during regular use or not. If it is, I'll exchange it when they release batches that have better QC.
It doesn't help that my model is the 32GB WiFi + Cellular, and it was literally the only one left in the city (in fact I had to pick it up from Telus, a carrier store here in Canada), so even if I wanted to exchange it I don't know if I could.
Colour gamut or hue issues don't really bother me. My model has a bit of an uneven/pinkish hue in some spots but it's only noticeable on a pure white image and not during regular use at regular brightness so I don't care.
Still, for a $700 device (which is what the 32GB with cellular costs) you would think Apple would put a little more effort into making sure the devices pass at least some level of QC.
PS: My serial number begins with DLXL, for whatever it's worth.
It doesn't help that my model is the 32GB WiFi + Cellular, and it was literally the only one left in the city (in fact I had to pick it up from Telus, a carrier store here in Canada), so even if I wanted to exchange it I don't know if I could.
Colour gamut or hue issues don't really bother me. My model has a bit of an uneven/pinkish hue in some spots but it's only noticeable on a pure white image and not during regular use at regular brightness so I don't care.
Still, for a $700 device (which is what the 32GB with cellular costs) you would think Apple would put a little more effort into making sure the devices pass at least some level of QC.
PS: My serial number begins with DLXL, for whatever it's worth.
Every single idevice released since 2007 when the original iPhone debuted has had either screen issues, over heating, quality control issues, or showed Apple's complete disregard for its customers, evil pricing practices, blah blah.
That is, if you read and believed some of the posts here.
Makes me wonder how a company with such poor quality control and regard for its customers has managed 6 years of successful iDevice launches and still be in business.
Rolleyes!
That is, if you read and believed some of the posts here.
Makes me wonder how a company with such poor quality control and regard for its customers has managed 6 years of successful iDevice launches and still be in business.
Rolleyes!
Just got to point out that Microsoft got away with Windows ME and Window Vista and is still in business.
There is no perfect device. Every smartphone and tablet that I have read about has issues. Each and everyone. Samsung smartphones are notorious for poor reception. HTC One phone cracks it's camera screen. Nexus 7 has touch screen issues and GPS lock issues. IR on the mini is not an issue in day to day use. Who pulls a checkered flag image and stares on it for 2+ minutes and then swaps to a grey image in day to day use!!!!! Can you find one instance when you do that in daily use!!!
Actually it can occur from only 45 seconds in some cases such as when you're on springboard or reading a book. Also it doesn't have to be grey, other colours will show IR too.
It's not good when you're reading a page for a minute then switch to a website and see the text still there for the next few minutes. Not what I want on my £500 ($800) device. You might whiz around your iPad page to page only staying on one screen for a second or two, but others like to read on their device.
Here is an instance for you:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/18410774/
And in that case, return it. That's a real problem. But if you have to stare at a checkerboard for 10 minutes, that's a made up issue.
I tried using my iPad underwater, and it turned on for a few seconds, but now the screen is dark and unresponsive. Apple QC is terrible. I'm returning mine...
I still think it's an issue. There are UI elements that stay on the screen for more than 10 minutes. As I've said previously the bar at the top, certain games have on screen elements, health icons etc. When switching to another app, these icon or bars may persist. It's not a made up issue.
In the instruction booklet, I'm sure Apple tell you not to get your iPad wet, but probably do not warn you to not display any one image for more than a few minutes.
Earlier in the thread I mentioned my problem with my 24" iMac whereby having safari open for any period of time would cause the text to stay when I try to use photoshop making it difficult to know what is the image I'm editing and what is 'burned in' to my screen.
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And if they do, return it. Apple will cheerfully exchange it. But if they DON'T, then, well, they don't.
And if they do, return it. Apple will cheerfully exchange it. But if they DON'T, then, well, they don't.
I'd had trouble getting IR screens repaired/exchanged from apple. I'm going to get apple care + for my iPad if it arrives though, so I'll see if that makes a difference to their 'cheerfulness'.
Just a final note for those of you who like to read these stories:
Neither of the 2 apple stores had my size/color available so I returned the 3rd one for a gift card.
Today one store had it in stock according to the site. I went ahead and bought it with my gift card and picked it up a little later that evening.
The 4th one finally had the one combo I was missing. No image retention, no dead pixels!!! I was so happy to finally be done with this mess!
FYI, it is also a DLXL like the 3 before it.
So for clarification is image retention permanent? Or a temporary phenomenon. I have it and it last for about 5-10 minutes. It's most notable withe the checkerboard test but not on anything else yet. For those that don't have it, is there not even a few seconds of retention?
Btw it's also present when running the test on my ipad 3. Has anyone tested this on other devices?
Btw it's also present when running the test on my ipad 3. Has anyone tested this on other devices?
It's not permanent on LCD displays (e.g. all Apple devices). It would be another matter if the screen were plasma.
It also happens on other devices. Notably, the Retina MacBooks last year were riddled with retention issues.