iPad mini The Myth of Jelly Scroll

[nightcap965]

I have wanted an iPad Mini for some time. It seemed the perfect form factor for reading in bed, one of my favorite uses of an iPad. But I didn't buy one, because I made the mistake of listening to the folks in this forum complaining bitterly about the dreaded Jelly Scroll problem, or loudly proclaiming that they would never buy a Mini until Apple came to its senses and corrected it. What finally got me was a 20% off sale on Amazon, but even then I was dubious and ready to send it back.

Jelly Scrollers, I have no idea what the heck you're talking about. I read in portrait orientation, scrolling back and forth. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the screen. It functions perfectly, as does the rest of the 6th generation iPad Mini. I'm delighted I bought it, and only wish I'd done so earlier.

Moral of the story: don't take the word of random people commenting in the MacRumors forum, including me. Check it out for yourself.

 

[velocityg4]

I can see it on mine if I look for it. Although the only time I notice is when I see a post about it. Otherwise it doesn’t bother me.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Cool but it’s not a myth and is easily proven

 

[antiprotest]

Since it's returnable you should have just bought it long ago and tested it for yourself.

 

[sparksd]

I can see it on mine if I look for it. Although the only time I notice is when I see a post about it. Otherwise it doesn’t bother me.

Same here. Not a myth.

 

[subjonas]

I have wanted an iPad Mini for some time. It seemed the perfect form factor for reading in bed, one of my favorite uses of an iPad. But I didn't buy one, because I made the mistake of listening to the folks in this forum complaining bitterly about the dreaded Jelly Scroll problem, or loudly proclaiming that they would never buy a Mini until Apple came to its senses and corrected it. What finally got me was a 20% off sale on Amazon, but even then I was dubious and ready to send it back.

Jelly Scrollers, I have no idea what the heck you're talking about. I read in portrait orientation, scrolling back and forth. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the screen. It functions perfectly, as does the rest of the 6th generation iPad Mini. I'm delighted I bought it, and only wish I'd done so earlier.

Moral of the story: don't take the word of random people commenting in the MacRumors forum, including me. Check it out for yourself.

I agree whole heartily with your moral/advice, and I like your post as a whole, but using “myth” in your title strongly implies that your experience is the overruling reality. Other people’s experiences are just as legitimate because experience is subjective. And there seems to be evidence that the effect objectively exists, though that doesn’t mean everyone will necessarily experience it, as we can see from your example. (Just like how people notice Promotion to varying degrees, some not at all.)
So I would just change that title, unless it was your intention to start controversy.

 

[wilberforce]

This is a bit like someone saying a high-pitched sound is a myth because they can't hear it.

Anyway, if you do not notice the jelly-scrolling you are lucky - I suggest do not go looking for it, because once you see it, it can be difficult to unsee it.

I absolutely agree with "check it out for yourself."

 

[BB1970]

I have wanted an iPad Mini for some time. It seemed the perfect form factor for reading in bed, one of my favorite uses of an iPad. But I didn't buy one, because I made the mistake of listening to the folks in this forum complaining bitterly about the dreaded Jelly Scroll problem, or loudly proclaiming that they would never buy a Mini until Apple came to its senses and corrected it. What finally got me was a 20% off sale on Amazon, but even then I was dubious and ready to send it back.

Jelly Scrollers, I have no idea what the heck you're talking about. I read in portrait orientation, scrolling back and forth. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the screen. It functions perfectly, as does the rest of the 6th generation iPad Mini. I'm delighted I bought it, and only wish I'd done so earlier.

Moral of the story: don't take the word of random people commenting in the MacRumors forum, including me. Check it out for yourself.

here you go

TestUFO: Scanskew

Animation on Blur Busters UFO Motion Tests for testing displays and monitors.

www.testufo.com

 

[cthompson94]

It certainly is there, it is much more noticeable when viewing text in something like safari, but how it affects a person varies. There is also a thread about pwm on iPhones which affect people differently so you shouldn't discredit people such as myself who have noticed the jelly scrolling in the mini. I know I have always said my experience, and that if one wants to know if it will bother them first just stop by a store and see in person if it will bother them before spending hundreds and possibly dealing with returns.

 

[jagolden]

I have to agree with the OP. “ jelly scrolling” comes up so often it’s like the boy who cried wolf.
“Stuttering” is another biggie. Posting on it today. Geez, went back to check it out on my 14 PM, nothing.
Not one complaint like these things have I experience in every day usage on MacOS, iOS, iPadOS.
After 35 years you’d think I would have encountered on of these.
That said, maybe the problems are eyesight issues not software/hardware issues.

 

[russell_314]

Moral of the story: don't take the word of random people commenting in the MacRumors forum, including me. Check it out for yourself.

This is exactly true. You have a bunch of people here trying to look at everything Apple does with negativity. If I believed all the negativity about the M2 MacBook Air overheating and running slowly, I would’ve never bought it. It’s an outstanding computer. It’s the same thing with any other Apple product. If you’re worried, you have two weeks to return it. Don’t depend on someone else’s negativity to influence your purchase decision.

 

[Flash1420]

Well no one talked about jelly scrolling for previous iPads or maybe there was "jelly scrolling" but it wasn't that bad. But if so many people notice it on the new iPad mini and made comments about, then it is definitely a problem. Yes, all LCD displays have this side effect, but the one on the iPad mini is more noticeable. The problem here is, Apple is using a cheaper display to compensate for the new design and to reduce costs. If you don't mind it, then keep using it, no one is stopping you. But it is apparent for some people including me.

 

[Jt69yupper]

I bought one and returned it the next day… the jelly scroll is ridiculous

The fact Apple thought this was acceptable is insulting.

 

[code-m]

here you go

TestUFO: Scanskew

Animation on Blur Busters UFO Motion Tests for testing displays and monitors.

www.testufo.com

OP uses the word “myth” which delegitimises their claim, should have replaced “myth” with “personal experience” which would be more accurate.

Moral of the story is that either OP is scrolling really slowly while reading which would minimise the jelly-scrolling effect, either has poor eyesight due to age or otherwise or simply is suffering from cognitive acceptance to justify the purchase.

Even Apple confirmed it placed the particular component in the opposite direction compared to prior iPad mini’s and it’s proven by the experiment you listed and by personal observation.

Listen I liked everything about the mini 6 and purchased it Day 01, but the moment I observed it, what a deal breaker for me I had to return it. Got the 11” iPad Pro and no regrets but really liked the compact size of the mini 6. Oh well mini 7 hopefully it corrects this along with ProMotion; mini Pro anyone.

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

OP uses the word “myth” which delegitimises their claim, should have replaced “myth” with “personal experience” which would be more accurate.

Moral of the story is that either OP is scrolling really slowly while reading which would minimise the jelly-scrolling effect, either has poor eyesight due to age or otherwise or simply is suffering from cognitive acceptance to justify the purchase.

Even Apple confirmed it placed the particular component in the opposite direction compared to prior iPad mini’s and it’s proven by the experiment you listed and by personal observation.

Listen I liked everything about the mini 6 and purchased it Day 01, but the moment I observed it, what a deal breaker for me I had to return it. Got the 11” iPad Pro and no regrets but really liked the compact size of the mini 6. Oh well mini 7 hopefully it corrects this along with ProMotion; mini Pro anyone.

Mini Pro is an instant buy.

 

[Flash1420]

I bought one and returned it the next day… the jelly scroll is ridiculous

The fact Apple thought this was acceptable is insulting.

The fact that other people on this forum are okay with jelly scrolling is not okay. Apple will continue to make cheaper quality products which is bad for the consumer.

 

[code-m]

The fact that other people on this forum are okay with jelly scrolling is not okay. Apple will continue to make cheaper quality products which is bad for the consumer.

Plus an iPad mini is one of those products that is held in portrait mode vice landscape so what’s with the 180 degree decision by Apple engineers, really bizarre. iPad mini is rarely used in landscape mode unless watching videos or playing games and I suspect the jelly scrolling is not observable by many as prior mini’s had it and no complaints to my knowledge.

Video and games are more forgiving compared to reading text and scrolling, questionable decision by Apple tbh and hopefully it’s corrected in mini 7.

 

[BB1970]

OP uses the word “myth” which delegitimises their claim, should have replaced “myth” with “personal experience” which would be more accurate.

Moral of the story is that either OP is scrolling really slowly while reading which would minimise the jelly-scrolling effect, either has poor eyesight due to age or otherwise or simply is suffering from cognitive acceptance to justify the purchase.

Even Apple confirmed it placed the particular component in the opposite direction compared to prior iPad mini’s and it’s proven by the experiment you listed and by personal observation.

Listen I liked everything about the mini 6 and purchased it Day 01, but the moment I observed it, what a deal breaker for me I had to return it. Got the 11” iPad Pro and no regrets but really liked the compact size of the mini 6. Oh well mini 7 hopefully it corrects this along with ProMotion; mini Pro anyone.

Usug the test even my 12.9 has a jelly effect in portrait mode. Granted it's very slight and barely noticeable in real world usage. The mini on the other hand was VERY noticable. I couldn't justify the price even though I loved the form factor.

 

[SpotOnT]

Everyone who wants a mini should just buy it and try it. It either bothers you, kills you, or you don’t even notice it. Only way tk find out is try.

 

[Booji]

It is definitely there, but you have to be looking for it to notice it. Not a big deal for me.

 

[boss.king]

Moral of the story: don't take the word of random people commenting in the MacRumors forum, including me. Check it out for yourself.

I played with one in an Apple store and noticed the jelly scrolling pretty instantly. I was never going to buy one so I don't care one way or the other, but it's certainly a real thing affecting that model of iPad.

If you don't notice it, that's great, but that doessn't mean it isn't there.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I agree — just a typical case of nothing that becomes something simply by being amplified on a forum.

 

[BB1970]

I agree — just a typical case of nothing that becomes something by being amplified on a forum.

There's certainly degrees of "nothing becomes something" (in my case, blooming on a iPad Pro mini led sceeen - a non issue really) but the jelly is noticable in any circumstance, though not in landscape mode.
It may not be a big deal to some, but it's most certainly there, enough so that I felt I needed to return it. It’s bothered me because I felt I was paying a premium for a device that was “defective” out of the box.

 

[tweaknmod]

I take criticisms of new Apple products, here especially, with a grain of salt. As OP said, it's always best to judge for yourself and make your decisions based on your own perspective.

That said, I was absolutely going to buy a mini — I loved the new form factor, and was pumped. I went to the store and tried one out for a good while, going through a few things I typically do with my iPads (e.g. skimming websites, scrolling articles, reading comics), and found the issue to be a deal-breaker for me.

We don't need to choose a side on everything, or tie ourselves to an identity of people who nit-pick, or who make mountains out of molehills. I'm not a "jelly scroller", I'm simply one of the people for whom this issue mattered enough to pass on this particular model. If you don't mind, then enjoy your device! It doesn't mean you've got blinders on, or have inferior eyesight, just as it doesn't mean that I'm being too picky, or looking for issues where there are none.

There have been numerous issues outlined in these forums which couldn't matter less to me (e.g. notches), but there are others which certainly do; there's nothing else to it, really...

It's always nice to hear about people enjoying their tech, regardless what anyone else thinks.

 

[skardvin]

Plus an iPad mini is one of those products that is held in portrait mode vice landscape so what’s with the 180 degree decision by Apple engineers, really bazar. iPad mini is rarely used in landscape mode unless watching videos or playing games and I suspect the jelly scrolling is not observable by many as prior mini’s had it and no complaints to my knowledge.

Video and games are more forgiving compared to reading text and scrolling, questionable decision by Apple tbh and hopefully it’s corrected in mini 7.

I think instead of "bazar," you mean "bizarre." Bazar means "a place (area) consisting of rows of shops or stalls selling miscellaneous goods." Bizarre, on the other hand, means "unusual" or "strange."