iPad Mini Retina Image Retention

Question

Level 1

56 points

iPad Mini Retina Image Retention

A little back story as I've gotten two iPad Airs that don't do this, and none of my other LCD devices do this.

I ordered 4 128 gig LTE mini retinas for the fam and opened them up. The first two I noticed ghosting on from the home screen icons after about 2 minutes and the other two were fine. But the other two had this horrible backlight issue all along the bottoms of the devices that at startup with the Apple logo it looked like a flashlight was coming up from the bottom (backlight bleed).

The devices were swapped by mail and a week later all 4 did the Image retention issue out of the box. Some with the backlight issue in addition to the IR. In contacting Apple, I was informed this was standard behavior of the devices and I've seen the notation on their site stating as such. Yet I've had the genius bar leads say it isn't normal, I've had colleages with retina Macbook pro's had their screens replaced for this issue, and posed the question what do graphic professionals do when they are editing work on their screen and they move windows around and see this ghost imaging. The answer is they couldn't do this kind of work as photography and video editing require static images to be on screen and I've never seen LCD panels behave this way with such freqency. So when I'm told this is rare and or acceptable by Apple and this is followed up by that's not normal, it is irritating. I also know this issue to become worse over time, and Apple also told me it goes away over time. Another contradiction.

So I'll pose a different question. How many have recieved devices that don't do this retention issue? The min is much better than the origional Mini with the resolution increase, I'm sure the lower speaker volume can be fixed in a software update as I would assume they are using the same speakers as the origional mini, and I've seen two iPad mini retinas that didn't do this image retention. But they are seemingly more rare than I've been lead to believe by Apple and online research.

Can anyone else recommend a solution?

iPad mini (Retina) Wi-Fi, Cellular, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Dec 10, 2013 1:10 PM

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Answer 1

MacCMac

Level 1

4 points

Dec 23, 2013 11:29 AM in response to BarrettF77

I finally decided to post on a forum - something I don't usually do - because I'm frustrated with my iPad mini retina experience.

I'm on my 5th 32 Gb Verizon iPad mini/retina.

They've all shown image retention out of the box and for a device that's +$600 w/AppleCare I think it's unacceptable - especially since Apple (in store and via 800 #) doesn't acknowledge the problem and can't tell me if it will get worse over time.

The last mini I had - my 4th - actually died the day before I was going to return it to the store for a new one.

Apple has been willing to replace each if them but I've returned each within 1-2 weeks of purchasing.

My first arrived via mail from China. The others have come from two different Apple stores here in town.

None of the floor models - all wi-if only - show image retention.

I love the size but am contemplating exchanging for an Air for waiting 6 months and see if the new batch has the same issues.

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Answer 2

SergZak

Level 6

10,338 points

Dec 23, 2013 11:36 AM in response to BarrettF77

I have an iPad mini and a mini Retina. Both are 16GB Wi-Fi only. No image retention on either unit.

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Answer 3

BarrettF77 Author

Level 1

56 points

Dec 23, 2013 12:39 PM in response to MacCMac

I feel your pain man. I'm giving my son an iPad mini retina with IR for Christmas and will attempt after the holiday season to buy a new one and switch it out while still in the holiday return period. There are some devices that do not exhibit the issue, but the two that I got that didn't do it, the colors were very muted and had about 6-8 spots where backlight bleed was incredibly pronounced on darker colors.

If anyone needs a place to check the IR as it does worsen it seems, go here:

http://www.marco.org/rmbp-irtest.html

Apple is willing to switch them out to make their customers happy. But I really don't like being told this is normal as it certainly is not.

Serg, do you mind sharing the first part of the serial number on the retina ipad that is good? I know sometimes those can indicate the area of manufacture and possibly help identify if there is a pattern to good or faulty batches.

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Answer 4

G3gator

Level 3

590 points

Dec 23, 2013 12:39 PM in response to BarrettF77

I have an iPad Mini and it is fine.

George

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Answer 5

hexonxonx

Level 4

2,477 points

Dec 23, 2013 2:06 PM in response to BarrettF77

I have a 32GB LTE Retina Mini that is perfect. No problems here.

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Answer 6

SergZak

Level 6

10,338 points

Dec 23, 2013 2:16 PM in response to BarrettF77

BarrettF77 wrote:

Serg, do you mind sharing the first part of the serial number on the retina ipad that is good?

No problem. It is DLXLM

Also note that all iPad mini Retinas as well as the non-Retina seem to have a reduced color gamut...the colors are definitely more muted on both my mini and mini Retina than on my iPad 3rd & 4th Gen units (direct comparison really shows the difference).

I don't believe the reduced color gamut issue is avoidable. OTOH, both my minis have consistent color across the screen with no backlight bleed.

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Answer 7

BarrettF77 Author

Level 1

56 points

Dec 23, 2013 2:26 PM in response to SergZak

DLXLQ and DLXLR are the two that I currently have and are Verizon 128 models in black. Both have the IR issue.

Also looked back and the two origionals that didn't have the IR out of the first 4 also had numbers starting in DLXLQ as well.

It's good that there are a few posting on here that their units don't exibit these issues so maybe inventory is seeing yeilds improve some.

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Answer 8

Dec 25, 2013 11:20 PM in response to BarrettF77

Hi there,

iPad mini retina 32 GB 4G version

These are my tries, all of them(three times) failed with ghosting and other issues...

Production detail check:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

DLXLP.........
Nice Name: iPad mini Retina (2nd Gen - Cellular)

Machine Model: iPad4,5

Family name: A1490

Model Number: ME824

Group1: iPadMini

Group2: WiFi-Cellular

Generation: 2

CPU speed: 1.3GHz

Screen size: 7.9 inch

Screen resolution: 2046x1536 pixels

Colour: Silver

Production year: 2013

Production week: 46 (November)

Model introduced: 2013

Capacity: 32GB

Memory - flavour: xx

Factory: DL (China - Foxconn)

DLXLP.........

Nice Name: iPad mini Retina (2nd Gen - Cellular)

Machine Model: iPad4,5

Family name: A1490

Model Number: ME824

Group1: iPadMini

Group2: WiFi-Cellular

Generation: 2

CPU speed: 1.3GHz

Screen size: 7.9 inch

Screen resolution: 2046x1536 pixels

Colour: Silver

Production year: 2013

Production week: 46 (November)

Model introduced: 2013

Capacity: 32GB

Memory - flavour: xx

Factory: DL (China - Foxconn)

F4KLR.........

Nice Name: iPad mini Retina (2nd Gen - Cellular)

Machine Model: iPad4,5

Family name: A1490

Model Number: ME824

Group1: iPadMini

Group2: WiFi-Cellular

Generation: 2

CPU speed: 1.3GHz

Screen size: 7.9 inch

Screen resolution: 2046x1536 pixels

Colour: Silver

Production year: 2013

Production week: 48 (December)

Model introduced: 2013

Capacity: 32GB

Memory - flavour: xx

Factory: F4 (China, Shanghai - Pegatron-Protek)

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Answer 9

BarrettF77 Author

Level 1

56 points

Jan 10, 2014 11:41 AM in response to HeliTeknik

I have noticed that the local Apple stores around in my area continue to be very low on this iPad mini retinas.

I think the two biggest issues that this unit faces are the poor displays with backlkight bleeding and/or image retention and the low speaker volume. I think the volume issue can be addressed with a software update perhaps. It just doesn't make sense why it's so quiet compared to the old mini.

As to the displays, I think Apple is either just not getting enough panels made or they might actually be seeing some benefit to fixing the issue if enough people are voicing issue with it.

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Answer 10

Jan 11, 2014 1:17 AM in response to BarrettF77

Hi,

I got an iPad mini retina, 16-GB, WiFi-only, from an Apple store in Bay Area. I used it for two weeks without so much as a problem. Then one night when I took out the iPad to use it, it had terrible image retention, everywhere. And it just wouldn't go away. I took it back to the Apple store, and they promptly refunded me. I've written a short blog post about it which an image of the home screen with severe image retention.

Cheers,

Ayaz

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Answer 11

BarrettF77 Author

Level 1

56 points

Jan 13, 2014 12:38 PM in response to ayaz_khan

They are well aware of the matter. They told me on the phone it was normal behavior (which it clearly isn't).

I think once yeilds improve and demand lowers we might have a better shot at seeing product that doesn't exhibit the issue. But then again, it's been 2 years and counting the Retina Macbook pros have been having this same issue. And those have a thread running on here in excess of 500 pages plus.

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Answer 12

Bursucel

Level 1

0 points

Jan 16, 2014 10:30 AM in response to BarrettF77

I think it's all about profit. Why increase the cost/fix the issue when they can sell them as is ? Most people don't even know there is an issue.

I tried 7 or 8 already and they all had the same issue. For such an expensive device I don't think this is acceptable.

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Answer 13

BarrettF77 Author

Level 1

56 points

Jan 17, 2014 6:19 AM in response to Bursucel

It's not acceptable, and it's why I will buy several devices and return them back without feeling bad. It's a waste of product, but they will just turn around and sell them as refurbs. Which, is what they should do from the get go seeing as they are defective out of the box.

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Answer 14

Mar 27, 2014 11:32 AM in response to BarrettF77

BarrettF77 wrote:

It's not acceptable, and it's why I will buy several devices and return them back without feeling bad. It's a waste of product, but they will just turn around and sell them as refurbs. Which, is what they should do from the get go seeing as they are defective out of the box.

D@mn Right!! Bought an ipad mini retina from Bestbuy, D@mn thing had image retention issues. Returned that thing and got me a brand new one without issues. Don't settle for crap!! We pay a premium price when we buy an apple product so don't settle for less than perfection!!

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Answer 15

BarrettF77 Author

Level 1

56 points

Apr 6, 2014 6:47 AM in response to Solosmooth

I ended up staying with a unit that IR on it, but the coloring was good mostly and no dead pixels or backlight bleed. Had a dim area like the backlight diffuser wasn't perfect like my iPad air, so I just kept it. I'll replace it later if it gets worse as my AMEX has automatic warranty coverage and I'll just use that instead of the joke that is Apple Care. Apple you have to fuss with them about, AMEX you just call and they tell you to go buy a new one. Which would you rather?

I'll also add that I was origionally going to buy 4 of the top lte ipad airs and same on the mini retinas. I ended up only buying one mini and two airs because of Apple's quality issues and have told others to look out too who in turn bought android devices. Which is unfortunate, because the software side I prefer the Apple ecosystem. Just not the poor product yeilds they offer.

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