The new iPad Mini 7 is expected to resolve one of the most prominent issues users faced with the previous generation: jelly scrolling, a display problem that causes uneven screen refresh rates and creates a tilted or uneven visual effect. According to Jason Snell on the latest Six Colors Podcast, hardware updates to the iPad Mini 7’s display may address this issue.
What is Jelly Scrolling?
Jelly scrolling, first noticed on the iPad Mini 6 in 2021, refers to a screen refresh rate mismatch that causes one side of the display to lag slightly behind the other. This creates a noticeable tilt or tear in images and text when scrolling, particularly in portrait mode. While some users were unbothered by it, others found it distracting and even reported eye strain.
Improvements in iPad Mini 7:
According to Snell, Apple appears to have made adjustments to the display hardware in the iPad Mini 7 to minimize or potentially eliminate jelly scrolling. While Snell didn’t provide a source for this information, it is speculated that his insights come directly from Apple. He noted that while there’s no definitive confirmation yet, there’s an implication that the hardware tweaks were aimed at solving the problem.
“My guess is it’s different. And maybe better. And maybe gone,” said Snell, leaving open the possibility that jelly scrolling may no longer be an issue on the iPad Mini 7.
What to Expect:
Pre-orders for the iPad Mini 7 are now open, with the device set to launch on Wednesday, October 23. Reviews and hands-on tests will reveal whether Apple’s hardware changes have indeed addressed jelly scrolling. An iFixit teardown will likely provide deeper insights into the specific changes made to the screen assembly.
For now, those awaiting the iPad Mini 7 are hopeful that this long-standing issue has been resolved, making the user experience smoother and more visually consistent.
