Understanding the iPad Mini 7: Jelly Screen Issues Resolved

Eliminating the Jelly Effect

The iPad Mini, a magical device.

Whenever there is an article related to Apple, our comment section is flooded with questions from mini fans asking: Is there any news about the new iPad Mini?

Finally, after three years since the last iPad Mini was released, the new Mini has arrived amidst everyone’s anticipation, and we promptly conducted our hands-on review.

If we say that the functionality of Apple Intelligence is “standard, without surprises,” then the update of the iPad Mini 7 can even be described as “identical, with no changes.” Sometimes you might even wonder: Is the design of the Mini that resilient? Has there really been no change in three years?

After the new Mini was released, iFixit also released a teardown video, attempting to address two major questions regarding the new device:

How did Apple solve the jelly screen issue of the iPad Mini 6?

What internal changes exist between the iPad Mini 6 and Mini 7?

Three years without updates, and one update takes three years.

This saying applies to the iPad Mini 6, and it also fits the iPad Mini 7 perfectly. Overall, the upgrades of the Mini 7 are very minimal, so just how minimal are they? Even Apple’s official announcement video did not include this new device.

Since the biggest issue and controversy surrounding the previous Mini was the jelly screen, let’s start there and re-evaluate this brand new Mini from a different perspective.

Image credit: iFixit

The jelly screen is actually a very vivid metaphor; do not be misled by the term “jelly.” The screen of the Mini 6 is not only not sweet but has caused significant frustration for many users, primarily due to display issues: when users scroll the device vertically, there is a noticeable displacement and desynchronization on both sides of the screen, resembling the ripples on the surface of jelly.

In simple terms, this is a type of display failure, and over the past three years, no effective solution has been found. The jelly screen issue arises from the way the display driver connects to the LCD screen: is it connected vertically or horizontally?

Horizontal connections generally do not experience such issues, but unfortunately, the Mini 6 uses a vertical connection method.

Image credit: iFixit

Therefore, seeing that the iPad Mini 7 has significantly reduced jelly effects, many speculate that Apple has changed the connection method between the display driver and the LCD screen to horizontal. However, according to the CT scan results of the iPad Mini 7, it still uses a vertical connection. Thus, Apple must have employed other methods to alleviate the “symptoms” of the previous generation.

Image credit: iFixit

Although there still appears to be some jelly effect, compared to before, you can clearly see signs of “recovery.”

The Same Process, The Same Configuration

Teardown of the Mini 7 also starts with the screen, and it can only start from the screen, which greatly affects iFixit’s score for the iPad Mini 7. Because when prying tools are used, one must control the force and angle carefully; a lack of experience or insufficient heating time can easily damage the screen.

Image credit: iFixit

After opening the screen, there is a small detail at the connection point between the outer screen and the main device: the connector that secures the display and the digital converter also secures the battery connector.

Multi-purpose, space-saving, cost-saving, and achieving multiple benefits, this kind of design that emphasizes frugality can be seen in every Apple product teardown. Although it may appear in different places with different designs and functions, the underlying concept remains the same.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the Mini 6 and Mini 7 are like twin brothers. Not only do they have the same pressure connectors, but even the battery capacity and model are the same, both are A2522, with a rated capacity of 19.19Wh.

Image credit: iFixit

The connection method between the battery and the device remains adhesive tape; due to the relatively large battery, the iPad Mini 7 uses a total of four strips of adhesive tape. Although it is called adhesive tape, there will still be some tape left in the gap between the battery and the device back panel, and ultimately, tools are still needed to pry it open with some force.

Image credit: iFixit

After removing the battery, we proceed to the charging port that powers the battery. The USB-C port is one of the few “major updates” on the iPad Mini 7. The new connection method makes it easy to disassemble and replace, which is a plus for iFixit; a similar design was also seen in the teardown of the recent iPhone 16 Pro.

Image credit: iFixit

Since the USB-C port is also a consumable, constantly wearing down during data transmission and charging, especially since the iPad Mini 7 does not support wireless charging, it is more prone to wear and tear.

Before removing the motherboard, we need to address the protective cover and connection cable above the main camera. The cables here are thin and closely spaced, creating a somewhat twisted feeling, so extra caution is needed during disassembly.

Image credit: iFixit

Next, we heat the back of the device to reduce the adhesive’s viscosity between the motherboard and the device, making it easier to remove the motherboard. However, auxiliary tools are still needed to pry it off, and the area above the motherboard is completely covered by a protective cover.

This design has two benefits: first, these protective covers assist in heat dissipation. When the motherboard components generate heat or even become hot, they can quickly dissipate heat, keeping the internal temperature of the device at an optimal working temperature, thus reducing the impact of overheating on device performance, which is particularly crucial during gaming or playing high-definition videos.

On the other hand, the protective covers made from specific materials can also shield various radio frequency signals that may affect the normal functioning of the chips.

Image credit: iFixit

The protective cover on the iPad Mini 7’s motherboard has only the middle one that can be removed; the others are soldered to the motherboard. The A17 Pro chip is hidden just beneath this largest protective cover, located at the center of the mainboard, and the A17 Pro is another significant update on the new device.

The key step now turns to the screen, which is also the most controversial and anticipated part of the iPad Mini series. One of the biggest highlights of this teardown is how Apple optimized the jelly screen issue while maintaining the same structure and configuration.

The connection method between the screen and the device is not complicated, but removing it is not simple, as it requires carefully separating the thin flexible cables, which is akin to paper, from the device. One must take extra care, applying a bit of separation liquid, lifting a small section of the cable, and then repeating this process until the two are completely separated.

Image credit: iFixit

After removing the display driver, placing the Mini 7 and Mini 6 side by side reveals that both are identical in size, design, and internal wiring as well as chips, a complete 1:1 copy.

Image credit: iFixit

Although it is currently not possible to directly identify the answer to the “reduction of jelly” from the disassembled hardware, we can at least rule out that the screen itself and the display driver are not the culprits behind the Mini 6’s display failure.

Finally, we arrive at what I believe is the least significant part of the entire tablet—the camera module.

Image credit: iFixit

Whether considering the quality of its camera or the size of the tablet, it is not very suitable for photography. However, it is very suitable as a monitor for phones or cameras, as the large screen perfectly complements the inherent small screen of the other two. But if the iPad Mini 7 is to do this job itself, it is really unnecessary.

The front and rear camera disassembly methods of the iPad Mini 7 are the same as the previous generation, and the configuration is also the same, with no upgrades made.

Other subtle changes can be ignored; compared to iterative upgrades, the 7th generation Mini feels more like it has addressed some historical issues of the 6th generation. At least from an external perspective, the correct naming for the iPad Mini 7 should be iPad Mini 6S.

Overall, the iPad Mini 7 does not have many upgrade points. When placed alongside the iPad Mini 6, the most significant changes are:

A17 Pro chip (previously A15)

Starting at 128GB (previously 64GB)

8GB RAM (previously 4GB)

Moreover, during the disassembly process, the Mini 7 left the staff with many “needs attention” and “handle with care” disassembly steps, starting from the fragile screen to the paper-thin connection cables, there are too many “traps and pitfalls,” leading iFixit to give the iPad Mini 7 a repairability score of only 3 out of 10.

Image credit:iFixit

However, this kind of upgrade approach, which is akin to squeezing toothpaste, or even not squeezing toothpaste at all, does have certain benefits. Taking the iPad Mini 6 and 7 as examples, it reduces the differences between models, allowing for more reusable parts, less complexity, and reduced waste. Interchangeable components extend the device’s lifespan, preventing it from becoming obsolete easily.

This seemingly “lazy” approach, from another perspective, is actually beneficial for users and buyers, especially when it comes to easily consumable components that may need replacement every few years. The mature design and standardized parts make the battery of the iPad Mini 7 easier to replace, ensuring availability and preventing awkward situations such as “discontinued parts and stock shortages.”

However, while all consumer electronics are rapidly evolving, Apple still dares to uniquely implement a unified (which you can also call squeezing toothpaste) upgrade approach across every generation of products and product lines. This practice is very Apple-like, and perhaps only Apple can do this.