iPad mini iPad mini 4 top bezel question

[Drewps5co0tt]

Hey guys,

I was just curious...because it's driving me crazy!

I just bought a mini 4 128GB for $299 at Walmart (couldn't pass up the price and I'm guessing the mini is going to be discontinued here soon.) I have inspected my device and don't see any issues with it but I do have a question that I'm hoping someone here can answer for me, my OCD is going into overdrive because Apple support doesn't seem to have the answer and they want to send me into a store and I don't feel like going into a store.

On the top RIGHT & LEFT of the top of the bezel on my mini 4, there two tiny clear circles (again one the top RIGHT and one on the top LEFT)...they are clear and not colored in with black. I'm assuming the are clear because there are sensors underneath the glass, directly under those clear circles? If so, does anyone have any idea what sensors they are?

I have included a screengrab from a youtube disassembly video to show what I'm talking about, the two areas are circled in red.

Thanks!

 

[culb0743]

You are correct; these are Ambient Light Sensors. They are a redundant array and not the four channel variety found on the iPad Pro models. They are similar to the ALS setup used in the iPad Air 2. In testing, it appears one of the sensors can be fully obscured, and the iPad will retain full auto-brightness functionality.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

OK thanks for that Cul...I appreciate the confirmation! BTW...I tested out those sensor areas this morning and even covering both of them, the "auto brightness" still seemed to perform lol...I'm guessing maybe they are some strong ass sensors!

 

[culb0743]

Glad to help. Interesting that you find auto-brightness active with both sensors covered. When I covered both sensors, I watched the brightness scrubber (Settings>Display & Brightness) move to a very low setting and stay put, even during exposure to varying degrees of ambient light (dim to very bright). My mini4 is in Otterboxed, so sealing off the sensors doesn't take much effort. I too am a recent mini convert and have to say I use it much more than I ever did one of the 9.7 models. Here's to hoping the mini 4 isn't the last of her kind. Or if she is, may iOS treat her well over the next couple of years. Cheers!

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Glad to help. Interesting that you find auto-brightness active with both sensors covered. When I covered both sensors, I watched the brightness scrubber (Settings>Display & Brightness) move to a very low setting and stay put, even during exposure to varying degrees of ambient light (dim to very bright). My mini4 is in Otterboxed, so sealing off the sensors doesn't take much effort. I too am a recent mini convert and have to say I use it much more than I ever did one of the 9.7 models. Here's to hoping the mini 4 isn't the last of her kind. Or if she is, may iOS treat her well over the next couple of years. Cheers!

Well I covered the sensors with my fingers, I didn't use tape or anything so maybe light or something was still getting thru. I'm not worried about it, I just wanted to find out what the heck they were. Yes I am loving my mini 4, I thought I would prefer a full sized but holding the mini feels much more comfortable than a full size and for what I use a tablet for, I don't really need the extra few inches.