iPad mini Returning my iPad Mini 6

[taneff]

I wonder if there are different qualities and display manufactures? Maybe some have lower quality and jelly scrolling has a bigger effect and some are of higher quality?

Because my Mini 5 had a good display but compared to my Mini 6 it is not as good. Contrast almost the same. But red tint can now be seen when compared to the Mini 6. And I can just a tight bit reproduce jelly scrolling but it is so hard for me to see it. That may also be my vision. Or maybe people who need glasses see it more? I don't need to wear glasses, yet. I really wonder why I can hardly reproduce it and other are so effected that they return their Mini 6 just because of jelly effect. Whatever I am happy because if it would bother me I would have returned mine too. Esp for THAT price.

 

[bandrews]

I wonder if there are different qualities and display manufactures? Maybe some have lower quality and jelly scrolling has a bigger effect and some are of higher quality?

Because my Mini 5 had a good display but compared to my Mini 6 it is not as good. Contrast almost the same. But red tint can now be seen when compared to the Mini 6. And I can just a tight bit reproduce jelly scrolling but it is so hard for me to see it. That may also be my vision. Or maybe people who need glasses see it more? I don't need to wear glasses, yet. I really wonder why I can hardly reproduce it and other are so effected that they return their Mini 6 just because of jelly effect. Whatever I am happy because if it would bother me I would have returned mine too. Esp for THAT price.

I feel the same. Can't believe I've actually spent time trying to see it and asking myself "is that it? Is this a bad screen? Everyone is telling me it should be bad... but it looks fine to me". Managed to stop myself from filming me scrolling fast in slo-mo, gave myself a slap and just decided to watch Ted Lasso instead.

 

[taneff]

I feel the same. Can't believe I've actually spent time trying to see it and asking myself "is that it? Is this a bad screen? Everyone is telling me it should be bad... but it looks fine to me". Managed to stop myself from filming me scrolling fast in slo-mo, gave myself a slap and just decided to watch Ted Lasso instead.

Totally. So stupid. Just because of one or two twitter posts. Which is ok if those people can reproduce it. But this is becoming ridiculous. Seeing nothing, filing it to show it in slow Mo. I understand everyone who can right out of the box see it and return their device. But SEARCHING for a problem that isn't there or noticeable seems stupid, sorry.

And Dieter Bohn, who posted it first on Twitter, is one of the masterminds behind The Verge. I love him. But they are a tech site. They review devices and have much knowledge of hardware. They test their devices. So for them it is much easier to find stuff that isn't working as perfectly as they should. But most of us a normal people. Just because one says they have a problem doesn't mean everyone should have a problem. Just because one has vision problems and maybe can't read something very close or far away doesn't mean I can't read it. Just an example.

 

[MhaelK]

I feel the same. Can't believe I've actually spent time trying to see it and asking myself "is that it? Is this a bad screen? Everyone is telling me it should be bad... but it looks fine to me". Managed to stop myself from filming me scrolling fast in slo-mo, gave myself a slap and just decided to watch Ted Lasso instead.

The effect is just limitations of the technology and how Apple has decided to implement this technology on the new iPad Mini. It is very depended on use case, and a lot of people will never know it is there - eg. If you don't scroll and read at the same time.

Which is also IMO why the new 120hz refresh-rate of the iPhones is a game changer for some and just nice-to-have for other. But the new iphones displays might change the way you do things and then make the jello on the ipad mini more noticeable.

 

[davidako]

The effect is just limitations of the technology and how Apple has decided to implement this technology on the new iPad Mini. It is very depended on use case, and a lot of people will never know it is there - eg. If you don't scroll and read at the same time.

Which is also IMO why the new 120hz refresh-rate of the iPhones is a game changer for some and just nice-to-have for other. But the new iphones displays might change the way you do things and then make the jello on the ipad mini more noticeable.

It’s nothing to do with the new phones. Apple made the decision to prioritise landscape mode over portrait despite portrait being an extremely popular mode for the mini. The 5 wasn’t like this so people who come from a 5 and use the 6 for reading see their usual way of working compromised.

BTW have people who suggest not scrolling and reading at the same time developed a technique where you close your eyes every time you scroll?

 

[uploaded]

My Wi-Fi + Cellular 64GB is also going back to Apple.

I don't have the jelly scrolling but I don't like the display well enough to pay all that money. Here in Germany I paid 800 euros including Apple Care, so about $930, and I don't think the device is worth that.

The new display format is okay, for watching movies. But not for surfing, because I miss the height in landscape mode.

And I hate the position of the buttons! I don't like TouchID in Power either - I miss the Home button of my iPad mini 5.
I will now also switch back to that ;-)

 

[cardfan]

Totally. So stupid. Just because of one or two twitter posts. Which is ok if those people can reproduce it. But this is becoming ridiculous. Seeing nothing, filing it to show it in slow Mo. I understand everyone who can right out of the box see it and return their device. But SEARCHING for a problem that isn't there or noticeable seems stupid, sorry.

And Dieter Bohn, who posted it first on Twitter, is one of the masterminds behind The Verge. I love him. But they are a tech site. They review devices and have much knowledge of hardware. They test their devices. So for them it is much easier to find stuff that isn't working as perfectly as they should. But most of us a normal people. Just because one says they have a problem doesn't mean everyone should have a problem. Just because one has vision problems and maybe can't read something very close or far away doesn't mean I can't read it. Just an example.

Yep. You is a normal people. Not a tech people like dieter. It’s not a normal people problem. It’s a tech people thing. So ridiculous. Buy the iPad and be happy if you’re a normal people and stop trying to search for problems like a tech people. Be normal.

That’s good advice. Thanks.

 

[MhaelK]

It’s nothing to do with the new phones. Apple made the decision to prioritise landscape mode over portrait despite portrait being an extremely popular mode for the mini. The 5 wasn’t like this so people who come from a 5 and use the 6 for reading see their usual way of working compromised.

BTW have people who suggest not scrolling and reading at the same time developed a technique where you close your eyes every time you scroll?

I wasn't saying it had something to do with the new phones, but how you use the device if it is noticeable or not. It is a well known limitation with the display used and yes Apple has changed the way/rotation they implemented it. But it has been present on other devices too.

Don't be stupid with the eyes closed comment, it is not like the screen is cut into two major halfs and rendered unusable.
If you don't like, just don't buy it or return the device.

 

[davidako]

I wasn't saying it had something to do with the new phones, but how you use the device if it is noticeable or not. It is a well known limitation with the display used and yes Apple has changed the way/rotation they implemented it. But it has been present on other devices too.

Don't be stupid with the eyes closed comment, it is not like the screen is cut into two major halfs and rendered unusable.
If you don't like, just don't buy it or return the device.

Then I don’t understand your comment about not reading while scrolling. The entire screen distorts and gives the feeling of motion sickness.

I did return it.

 

[LFC2020]

Then I don’t understand your comment about not reading while scrolling. The entire screen distorts and gives the feeling of motion sickness.

I did return it.

Hopefully more people keep returning them, then maybe they'll finally give us a ProMotion iPad mini, with a mini led screen.

Doubt that will happen, the mini is one of their most popular iPads.

 

[betono]

My Wi-Fi + Cellular 64GB is also going back to Apple.

I don't have the jelly scrolling but I don't like the display well enough to pay all that money. Here in Germany I paid 800 euros including Apple Care, so about $930, and I don't think the device is worth that.

The new display format is okay, for watching movies. But not for surfing, because I miss the height in landscape mode.

And I hate the position of the buttons! I don't like TouchID in Power either - I miss the Home button of my iPad mini 5.
I will now also switch back to that ;-)

Exactly my points.
Plus I had serious headache and eye pain using mini6’s screen.
I wouldn’t mind the wobbly scrolling but having headache from using tablet seems so … unfair
Plus, I had 10 other iPads over the years with no problems.
No I am scared to order any other tablet from Apple, if this “effect” is normal by their standards.
So it seems that I am the issue here

 

[ofarlig]

Exactly my points.
Plus I had serious headache and eye pain using mini6’s screen.
I wouldn’t mind the wobbly scrolling but having headache from using tablet seems so … unfair
Plus, I had 10 other iPads over the years with no problems.
No I am scared to order any other tablet from Apple, if this “effect” is normal by their standards.
So it seems that I am the issue here

The thing is that it isn't normal to have it at this level, they are 100% correct that it happens because of how displays work but it is more obvious when it occurs in portrait compared to landscape.

 

[ScanTheNavian]

The question now becomes, what do I do now… Just going back to the Mini 5 seems boring since I was expecting a new device for a while.

Yeah, I tried to google for some Android tablets in the 8" segment, but they are just so lackluster. Often subpar specs and screens. I had such great hopes for the Mini 6, and it's hard to realize that there isn't anything interesting for me to replace it with.

 

[RoadWarrior56]

The question now becomes, what do I do now… Just going back to the Mini 5 seems boring since I was expecting a new device for a while. One idea is going back to a Samsung Fold as a phone and get the mini replacement together with the phone, and get something like a Galaxy Tab 7+ to replace the iPad Pro 12.9”… Anyone compared the two and have something to say about them, especially the interaction between phone and tablet like text messing from the tablet and so on.

I can't speak for anybody else, but I am going to keep my Mini 5. I liked the new design of the Mini 6, which is why I bought it in the first place. But its screen panel would not stop inducing eyestrain and headaches. The Mini 5 screen is just sharper and clearer, at least to my eyes, and I have new appreciation of it. I will keep the 5 until it gets too old to work well, and that hasn't happened yet. It has plenty of speed for my uses under iOS 15, and I actually do like the its split screen/multitask method.

 

[ofarlig]

Yeah, I tried to google for some Android tablets in the 8" segment, but they are just so lackluster. Often subpar specs and screens. I had such great hopes for the Mini 6, and it's hard to realize that there isn't anything interesting for me to replace it with.

For just small tablet I would for sure combine it with a phone and get the Galaxy Fold 3, Had the Fold 2 for a while and I really liked it. If I didn't have my 12.9" Pro that I want to be able to use together with my other devices I would go that route again. I just don't know if the Android tablet apps are good enough for me to use on a large tablet so I can replace the 12.9" Pro.

I can't speak for anybody else, but I am going to keep my Mini 5. I liked the new design of the Mini 6, which is why I bought it in the first place. But its screen panel would not stop inducing eyestrain and headaches. The Mini 5 screen is just sharper and clearer, at least to my eyes, and I have new appreciation of it. I will keep the 5 until it gets too old to work well, and that hasn't happened yet. It has plenty of speed for my uses under iOS 15, and I actually do like the its split screen/multitask method.

Yeah, I kind of would like something new though. And getting 5G wouldn't be bad and larger storage, I got the base Mini 5 just to hold me over until the fall for the 6 to be released which now wasn't a good idea.

 

[sracer]

The question now becomes, what do I do now… Just going back to the Mini 5 seems boring since I was expecting a new device for a while. One idea is going back to a Samsung Fold as a phone and get the mini replacement together with the phone, and get something like a Galaxy Tab 7+ to replace the iPad Pro 12.9”… Anyone compared the two and have something to say about them, especially the interaction between phone and tablet like text messing from the tablet and so on.

Switching from iOS to Android simply because of the issues with the Mini 6 seems extreme, IMO.

I'm still greatly enjoying my Mini 5 (the only iPad I currently use) and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. But my phone is Android (Galaxy A20) and my full-size tablet is Android (Galaxy Tab S6) which replaced my iPad Pro.

Android and iOS are significantly different and a person's interaction with personal devices like a phone and tablet are...well... personal, so it is very difficult to gauge how well these devices would meet your needs.

The Galaxy Tab S6 (and the Tab S7+ even more so) are far better at meeting my needs for full-size tablets than iPad Pros. Given the current direction that Apple is taking the iPad Pros in, I don't see myself ever returning to them.

There are many review videos out on YouTube on those devices. Those will give a variety of perspectives, some of which might resonate with your needs/wants.

Regarding texting from different devices, I am able to send texts from my Android tablets, iMac, chromebook, and Windows systems using my phone. The only device I can't do that from is my iPad.

 

[cardfan]

I too am broken hearted. The mini is such a good device and this version is ruined by pointless stupidity.

I would have preferred the old design with an improved screen than a new design with worse screen.

Apple loves making products that delight people though. Email Tim and let him know.

 

[UBS28]

The thing is that it isn't normal to have it at this level, they are 100% correct that it happens because of how displays work but it is more obvious when it occurs in portrait compared to landscape.

That is not true. The M1 12.9 iPad Pro doesn’t have the jelly effect.

It used to be a common problem in OLED displays (has been fixed now). So it is simply Apple choosing a low quality display for the iPad Mini.

The question is, would people pay a higher price for the iPad Mini if it had a higher quality display, as Apple will not do this for free.

 

[MrGimper]

I have a launch Mini 4. I’ve used this device regularly since purchase, and more often than not in landscape. I’ve JUST NOW noticed “jelly” when scrolling in landscape. Literally a non-issue FOR YEARS.

 

[rui no onna]

Hopefully more people keep returning them, then maybe they'll finally give us a ProMotion iPad mini, with a mini led screen.

Plenty are already complaining about the mini's relatively modest price increase. I doubt you'd have a lot of folks willing to pay $799 to get a Mini-LED iPad Pro mini.

the mini is one of their most popular iPads.

Doesn't seem like it.

iPad Market Share Increased to 37 Percent During Q1, 2021, With the Low-Cost Models Accounting for the Most Shipments

Apple’s iPad market share rose to 37 percent in Q1, 2021, which was an increase compared to the same quarter last year

wccftech.com

The basic iPad models accounted for 56% of the overall iPad shipments in Q1 2021. The iPad Air and iPad Pro series came next with 19% and 18% shares, respectively.

If you add up the numbers, then the mini 5 comprises just 7% of Apple's iPad sales. That's still millions of units but well, the mini's kinda almost in last place depending on the split between Pro 11 and Pro 12.9.

Of course the mini 6 is a boost to sales but I don't think minis are as popular in the real world as they are on MacRumors. Heck, if you go by MacRumors, you would think people only buy either the Pros or the minis but MR really is far from representing the general populace.

 

[davidako]

Plenty are already complaining about the mini's relatively modest price increase. I doubt you'd have a lot of folks willing to pay $799 to get a Mini-LED iPad Pro mini.




Doesn't seem like it.

iPad Market Share Increased to 37 Percent During Q1, 2021, With the Low-Cost Models Accounting for the Most Shipments

Apple’s iPad market share rose to 37 percent in Q1, 2021, which was an increase compared to the same quarter last year

wccftech.com

If you add up the numbers, then the mini 5 comprises just 7% of Apple's iPad sales. That's still millions of units but well, the mini's kinda almost in last place depending on the split between Pro 11 and Pro 12.9.

Of course the mini 6 is a boost to sales but I don't think minis are as popular in the real world as they are on MacRumors. Heck, if you go by MacRumors, you would think people only buy either the Pros or the minis but MR really is far from representing the general populace.

I suppose I’m a minority but I’d pay whatever for a mini LED mini iPad.

The mini 6 was unusable for me due to jelly scrolling.

Now I’m back on my mini 5 and wondering where to go next.

 

[sleepykid]

I have a launch Mini 4. I’ve used this device regularly since purchase, and more often than not in landscape. I’ve JUST NOW noticed “jelly” when scrolling in landscape. Literally a non-issue FOR YEARS.

Yeah same (I didn't notice on Mini 4 before), but the difference is that for me (and probably a lot of people), they read/use this device in portrait mode (I guess because of the size being close to a phone, and seeing text narrow and tall is faster to scan/read than wide and short). wonder if they could put in a software fix to 'adjust jelly to portrait/landscape' .. then I'd be more inclined to keep it.

 

[mizzourah]

I feel the same. Can't believe I've actually spent time trying to see it and asking myself "is that it? Is this a bad screen? Everyone is telling me it should be bad... but it looks fine to me". Managed to stop myself from filming me scrolling fast in slo-mo, gave myself a slap and just decided to watch Ted Lasso instead.

This I agree with - We got ours in the last week and I have been poring over this thread with panic about returning a device that we have been excited to get. I tamped down my excitement and pulled up so many web pages, documents and scrolled....looking for this pervasive issue that is causing this recall level of return. Only to not see it and to actually start enjoying this device.

I took Ted's advice and was a goldfish and returned to the sheer joy of this new device in a form factor this is perfect for our use case.

 

[klasma]

Yeah same (I didn't notice on Mini 4 before), but the difference is that for me (and probably a lot of people), they read/use this device in portrait mode (I guess because of the size being close to a phone, and seeing text narrow and tall is faster to scan/read than wide and short). wonder if they could put in a software fix to 'adjust jelly to portrait/landscape' .. then I'd be more inclined to keep it.

The screen refresh orientation is a function of the display hardware, so can't be switched around by software.

 

[Flabasha]

Totally. So stupid. Just because of one or two twitter posts. Which is ok if those people can reproduce it. But this is becoming ridiculous. Seeing nothing, filing it to show it in slow Mo. I understand everyone who can right out of the box see it and return their device. But SEARCHING for a problem that isn't there or noticeable seems stupid, sorry.

And Dieter Bohn, who posted it first on Twitter, is one of the masterminds behind The Verge. I love him. But they are a tech site. They review devices and have much knowledge of hardware. They test their devices. So for them it is much easier to find stuff that isn't working as perfectly as they should. But most of us a normal people. Just because one says they have a problem doesn't mean everyone should have a problem. Just because one has vision problems and maybe can't read something very close or far away doesn't mean I can't read it. Just an example.

Especially when the same thing is reproducible off many previous tablets from Apple and Samsung and others, but this is the first time we’re all suddenly disturbed by it.

Smacks a bit of people being bored and looking for problems (which is absolutely one of my favorite pastimes).