iFixit Explains iPad Mini 'Jelly Scroll' Issue in Teardown Video

[MacRumors]

iFixit today tore apart one of Apple's new iPad mini models, and in the process of the teardown, the repair site gave a detailed overview of why the new tablets are displaying an issue that has been dubbed "jelly scrolling."

Some new iPad mini 6 owners have noticed that text or images on one side of the screen appear to be tilted downward when scrolling through content, which affects all LCD screens but is particularly noticeable on the iPad mini.

According to iFixit, jelly scrolling usually isn't as prominent as it is on Apple's new 8.3-inch tablet, and it's caused by the way the screen refreshes. The screen refreshes from one side to another, in a wave-like pattern, rather than all at once. On the iPad mini, iFixit speculates that the direction the screen is scanning is related to the placement of the controller board that drives the iPad mini display, and that's why there's jelly scrolling when in portrait mode.

The iPad mini has a controller board that's located in a vertical orientation on the left hand side. The iPad Air, which does not exhibit the same issue in portrait orientation, has a controller board located at the top of the tablet.

When you scroll parallel to the direction the display is refreshing, the display still isn't refreshing all at once, but the effect of the refresh is less noticeable because it's not splitting the text.

This is why you probably don't notice this on other displays. The jelly scroll is usually masked because the display is refreshing (or scanning) parallel to whichever way the scrolling motion is taking place. So a computer monitor will refresh vertically in its landscape orientation, and a smartphone will refresh vertically in its portrait orientation.

It just so happens that this iPad mini display is refreshing horizontally when you hold it in its vertical orientation, which is the way you typically hold an iPad to scroll.

iFixit says that it's also possible that Apple is using a cheaper display panel for the iPad mini 6, which could have resulted in the refresh scan being more pronounced than expected.

Apple has said that the jelly scrolling issue is normal behavior for an LCD screen, and that likely means the company does not plan to offer replacements for users who are seeing this issue. For that reason, those unhappy with the iPad mini's display should make sure to return the tablet within its 14 day return window.

There were no other major surprises with the iPad mini 6, but a full look inside is available in iFixit's video. Overall, iFixit gave the iPad mini a repair score of three due to an excess of adhesive and other repair limitations.

Article Link: iFixit Explains iPad Mini 'Jelly Scroll' Issue in Teardown Video

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

A regular consumer would not see the issue. I don’t think it’s a normal behavior issue.

It’s just a cheaper display which Apple decided to use for the iPad Mini. That pretty much sums it up.

Some have suggested it should be recalled.

Cook should recall mini 6 immediately, period

Job would never allow such "Jelly" product out (knocking), which is against Apple's fundamental philosophy and defected by industry standard. By saying "LCD normal", "keep eyes elsewhere", "using landscape more", it is just irresponsible. Our fans purchase Apple's products not because "just...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Goompa]

For me, the screen is the most important thing in an electronic device. So sad for all those ppl.

 

[Psychicbob]

Class action

 

[nfl46]

Apple is like, “Well, y’all are going to buy it anyway!”

 

[yaxomoxay]

“Normal” or not, people are complaining about this issue. Apple should listen. The screen is quite an important part of a tablet.

 

[rizzo41999]

Not acceptable for a $500 device.

 

[nathan_reilly]

but Steve said "we don't ship junk"

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple is like, “Well, y’all are going to buy it anyway!”

That applies for all the regular consumers who don’t see the issues. It’s sad. They are getting played!

 

[ajfahey]

You get what you are willing to pay for. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it.

 

[ajfahey]

For me, the screen is the most important thing in an electronic device. So sad for all those ppl.

Why? They got a good device for a great price.

 

[yaxomoxay]

You get what you are willing to pay for. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it.

In General I would agree with you. Here we’re talking about a main feature of a device by a company that claims to be all about quality. No, it’s not acceptable.

 

[nathan_reilly]

You get what you are willing to pay for. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it.

this would apply if apple was forthright about the screens being significantly better in their other products, or worse in this one. But they don't give you that info, you have to buy the iPad and discover it yourself. So this is not a matter of educated consumption.

 

[nutmac]

A regular consumer would not see the issue.

Right. Most iPad users use iPad in predominantly in the landscape orientation, let alone scrolling at a speed where the problem would be all that noticeable to begin with.

In an ideal world, Apple will also make iPad Pro mini (and 11" iPad Pro) with XDR.

 

[rgwebb]

but Steve said "we don't ship junk"

Steve's been dead for a decade. Tim is a bean counter. I think it is apparent that he'll go places that Steve would not.

 

[gldoorii]

I noticed it right away on the display model at Best Buy yesterday. I had no idea it was such a widespread issue. Glad I passed on it.

 

[nathan_reilly]

Steve's been dead for a decade. Tim is a bean counter. I think it is apparent that he'll go places that Steve would not.

yup, just showing off his mastery of the supply chain left and right

 

[Psychicbob]

Apple: In order to avoid jelly scrolling, simply drag the screen with 2 fingers, one on each side of the screen, at the same time. Et voila!

 

[840quadra]

Not acceptable for a $500 device.

What about a $1299+ device?

Not ideal, not my favorite aspect of my new toy (the MacBook and iPad mini), but not a 1st world problem ( for me at least). It is all an artifact of a sequential refresh as opposed to global LCD refresh.

Video of my M1 MacBook Pro, and my iPad Pro 11" (2018) showing their jello.

 

[gldoorii]

Apple: In order to avoid jelly scrolling, simply drag the screen with 2 fingers, one on each side of the screen, at the same time. Et voila!

"It's not a problem, it's a feature!"

 

[gavroche]

For me, the screen is the most important thing in an electronic device. So sad for all those ppl.

I was considering trading in my larger 12.9 inch iPad Pro from several years ago to get this mini. I kind of wanted to get a more portable sized device. But reading about this has made me really leery. If I never knew about it, I might not have not even noticed it. But now that I know it exists, I’m sure I’ll be looking for it and it will bug me.

It reminds me of a friend of mine that used to install carpet. He said whenever there had to be a seam, he hated to tell the client where it was. He figured if they couldn’t figure out where the seam was then he’s done a good job. But if he told him where the seam was, it always bothered them.

 

[yaxomoxay]

What about a $1299+ device?

Not ideal, not my favorite aspect of my new toy (the MacBook and iPad mini), but not a 1st world problem ( for me at least). It is all an artifact of a sequential refresh as opposed to global LCD refresh.

View attachment 1852262

Video of my M1 MacBook Pro, and my iPad Pro 11" (2018) showing their jello.

Wow. It's actually pretty artistic!

 

[Canyonero]

The scary thing to me is that either a) nobody at Apple noticed or cared about this during testing or b) saw it and decided it was ok. Not the Apple I know.

 

[Satch111]

it’s only 97 percent of the front! So not that important ?

For me, the screen is the most important thing in an electronic device. So sad for all those ppl.

 

[usagora]

“Normal” or not, people are complaining about this issue. Apple should listen. The screen is quite an important part of a tablet.

People will complain about anything. You can't please all the people all the time. In another thread on this topic, a member posted their own video of the "jelly scrolling" on their Mini and exclaimed how awful it was - I could barely perceive the effect and that was with me purposely looking to see it ?‍♂️

EDIT: Looks like all the complainers are starting to find my comment, LOL!