iPad Mini 7 With 120Hz ProMotion Unlikely, Says Display Analyst

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A sketchy rumor suggesting Apple will release an iPad mini with 120Hz ProMotion was revived today in the Asian media, but a well-connected display industry analyst has already reacted to the reports with skepticism.

ipad mini 9
Responding on Twitter to a question from The Mac Observer's Jeff Butts about the rumor, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young said he would be "surprised" if it was accurate, given that the LCD panel that Apple uses for the ‌iPad mini‌ isn't compatible with ProMotion.

Apple currently uses a-Si LCD backplane technology for ‌iPad mini‌ 6 screens. A-si, or amorphous silicon, is the go-to display tech in the display market for its low cost and relatively simple production process.

By contrast, Apple's iPad Pro models use Oxide LCD panels, notes Young. Oxide LCD technologies, one of the most popular being "IGZO," are preferred in the premium smartphone industry for their ability to provide higher contrasts, refresh rates, and resolutions.


Suggestions that Apple could conceivably adopt ProMotion for a next-generation ‌iPad mini‌ began to receive attention shortly after the "jelly scrolling" phenomenon was identified. The term refers to the slanted/wobbly text effect that some users see when scrolling through text on the ‌iPad mini‌ 6 in portrait mode.

Since LCD screens refresh line by line, there is a tiny delay between when the lines at the top and lines at the bottom are refreshed. While this is normal behavior for LCD screens, it can appear more obvious when observed on the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌.

This isn't the first time we've heard rumors of an ‌iPad mini‌ with ProMotion. The claim first appeared in Korean forums in November, with claims Apple is testing a Samsung-supplied display for a future ‌‌iPad mini‌‌. The latest revival of the 120Hz ‌iPad mini‌ rumor appears to lead back to LeaksApplePro, who has no track record for accurate Apple leaks or rumors.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Tag: Ross Young
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

calstanford Avatar
calstanford
20 months ago
What kind of stupid argument is that?
Obviously it would be a NEW display with Promotion and not the current display with just the refresh rate changed. D'oh.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oohara Avatar
Oohara
20 months ago
An iPad Pro Mini with an OLED display, thinner bezels and iPadOS updated to make better use of the Mini's form factor would be an insta buy for me.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eddy Munn Avatar
Eddy Munn
20 months ago
This would be the perfect device for me! ?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zmmyt Avatar
Zmmyt
20 months ago
If a new Mini is released with an upgraded screen and pro camera module I might consider an early upgrade. It’s my most used device. Better speakers would also be appreciated.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DJC631 Avatar
DJC631
20 months ago
I returned a mini 6 because of the god-awful display, I would buy it in a heartbeat if they fixed that.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locksmack Avatar
locksmack
20 months ago
Couple it with an M1/M2 for Stage Manager support and it will be a beast.

As much as I love my iPad Mini, it does feel gimped with the jelly scrolling, low ram and missing out on Stage Manager/External display support.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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