I believe this is not so much of an "issue" but rather a design oversight. The sad truth is that the majority of 60 Hz panels (especially LCDs) tear to some extent but it usually happens horizontally rather than vertically. This is the case on both my LG monitor and MBP M1. I confirmed by running this test on both displays and both exhibited tearing (or the "jelly effect").
It seems more and more like the new cool thing to do (according to Apple) is use iPads in landscape but it appears that many, if not most of us are using these Minis in portrait which, unfortunately, is the orientation in which the display tears. This was even implied in the trailer where the iPad is mostly shown being used in landscape.
It has been observed, after all, that some older iPads tore in landscape but not in portrait, but those came at a time when Apple weren't really pushing landscape use of iPads as much as they are now with iPadOS 15. It also may be easier to notice tearing on these iPads compared to others because it's a smaller display and we're more likely to be viewing the entire thing instead of just a part of it during use.
Since Apple released a statement about this, acknowledging what we are seeing and learning how most of us use our iPads, it is very likely that a change will be made for the Mini 7 using this information to eliminate tearing in portrait (but may introduce it to landscape instead). Of course, it would be nice to have no tearing in any orientation but they might as well increase the refresh rate in that case (since it would probably cost more to make a 60 Hz panel that doesn't tear).
I think the phenomenon of this oversight being seen as an issue is because many have come to expect perfection from Apple. Truth is, however, that mainstream consumer electronics (including most Apple products) are built to a price point for competitive purposes and engineering them all to perfection would make their prices skyrocket to the point where they'll be unreasonable.
The real issue with the Mini 6, IMO, is the LCD rippling some are getting with light touches. Since it doesn't happen on every device unlike the tearing, and because iPads are being replaced due to this, I do hope it will be fixed quickly and that all existing iPads with this issue will be repaired or replaced.
It seems more and more like the new cool thing to do (according to Apple) is use iPads in landscape but it appears that many, if not most of us are using these Minis in portrait which, unfortunately, is the orientation in which the display tears. This was even implied in the trailer where the iPad is mostly shown being used in landscape.
It has been observed, after all, that some older iPads tore in landscape but not in portrait, but those came at a time when Apple weren't really pushing landscape use of iPads as much as they are now with iPadOS 15. It also may be easier to notice tearing on these iPads compared to others because it's a smaller display and we're more likely to be viewing the entire thing instead of just a part of it during use.
Since Apple released a statement about this, acknowledging what we are seeing and learning how most of us use our iPads, it is very likely that a change will be made for the Mini 7 using this information to eliminate tearing in portrait (but may introduce it to landscape instead). Of course, it would be nice to have no tearing in any orientation but they might as well increase the refresh rate in that case (since it would probably cost more to make a 60 Hz panel that doesn't tear).
I think the phenomenon of this oversight being seen as an issue is because many have come to expect perfection from Apple. Truth is, however, that mainstream consumer electronics (including most Apple products) are built to a price point for competitive purposes and engineering them all to perfection would make their prices skyrocket to the point where they'll be unreasonable.
The real issue with the Mini 6, IMO, is the LCD rippling some are getting with light touches. Since it doesn't happen on every device unlike the tearing, and because iPads are being replaced due to this, I do hope it will be fixed quickly and that all existing iPads with this issue will be repaired or replaced.
Last edited: