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TechQuiet 5d · day 11

Reviewers Push Back on Apple's Excuse for iPad Mini 8's 60Hz Display

Apple says OLED's faster pixel response makes ProMotion unnecessary, but reviewers say refresh rate still matters.

newest coverage 5d agosummary written 4d ago10 pieces Google NewsNewswires

What to know

  • The new OLED iPad mini 8 is capped at 60Hz and lacks ProMotion, despite the OLED panel upgrade.
  • Apple's official defense is that OLED's faster pixel response time reduces motion blur enough to offset the lower refresh rate.
  • Reviewers, including The Verge's David Pierce, say the difference is still noticeable in scrolling, Apple Pencil use, and creative/gaming apps.
  • The device is available for pre-order at $699 (128GB) and launches Friday.

“On a 120Hz screen, I can scroll a browser page and still clearly read the text as it's moving. With 60Hz, it gets blurry.”

David Pierce, The Verge reviewer · MacRumors ↗ · Nov 2

Apple Device makerDavid Pierce The Verge reviewerChris Lawley Tech reviewer/critic referenced in coverage

Reviewers Push Back on Apple's Excuse for iPad Mini 8's 60Hz Display
MacRumors

How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 4 pieces in 3h at Nov 3, 8 AM; 10 pieces over 11 days (10 articles) Oct 28, 3 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 28, 6 PM — quietOct 28, 9 PM — quietOct 29, 12 AM — quietOct 29, 3 AM — quietOct 29, 6 AM — quietOct 29, 9 AM — quietOct 29, 12 PM — quietOct 29, 3 PM — quietOct 29, 6 PM — quietOct 29, 9 PM — quietOct 30, 12 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 30, 3 AM — quietOct 30, 6 AM — quietOct 30, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 30, 12 PM — quietOct 30, 3 PM — quietOct 30, 6 PM — quietOct 30, 9 PM — quietOct 31, 12 AM — quietOct 31, 3 AM — quietOct 31, 6 AM — quietOct 31, 9 AM — quietOct 31, 12 PM — quietOct 31, 3 PM — quietOct 31, 6 PM — quietOct 31, 9 PM — quietNov 1, 12 AM — quietNov 1, 2 AM — quietNov 1, 5 AM — quietNov 1, 8 AM — quietNov 1, 11 AM — quietNov 1, 2 PM — quietNov 1, 5 PM — quietNov 1, 8 PM — quietNov 1, 11 PM — quietNov 2, 2 AM — quietNov 2, 5 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Nov 2, 8 AM — quietNov 2, 11 AM — quietNov 2, 2 PM — quietNov 2, 5 PM — quietNov 2, 8 PM — quietNov 2, 11 PM — quietNov 3, 2 AM — quietNov 3, 5 AM — quietNov 3, 8 AM — 4 pieces · 4 articles — Newswires 3, Google News 1Nov 3, 11 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 1, Newswires 1Nov 3, 2 PM — quietNov 3, 5 PM — quietNov 3, 8 PM — quietNov 3, 11 PM — quietNov 4, 2 AM — quietNov 4, 5 AM — quietNov 4, 8 AM — quietNov 4, 11 AM — quietNov 4, 2 PM — quietNov 4, 5 PM — quietNov 4, 8 PM — quietNov 4, 11 PM — quietNov 5, 2 AM — quietNov 5, 5 AM — quietNov 5, 8 AM — quietNov 5, 11 AM — quietNov 5, 2 PM — quietNov 5, 5 PM — quietNov 5, 8 PM — quietNov 5, 11 PM — quietNov 6, 2 AM — quietNov 6, 5 AM — quietNov 6, 8 AM — quietNov 6, 11 AM — quietNov 6, 2 PM — quietNov 6, 5 PM — quietNov 6, 8 PM — quietNov 6, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 8 AM — quietToday, 11 AM — quiet 1–234
Oct 29Oct 30Oct 31Nov 1Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 1:10 PM ET
  1. 4

    Verge's David Pierce says Apple's excuse falls short

    In his iPad mini 8 review, The Verge's David Pierce disputes Apple's rationale, saying refresh rate still matters for scrolling, Apple Pencil use, and creative apps even with OLED's faster pixel response.

    “I don't think the lack of ProMotion is an immediate and total dealbreaker, but refresh rates matter!”
    — David Pierce
    1. 2 outlets iPad Mini 8 Reviewer Dissatisfied With Apple's Excuse for Lack of 120Hz Display

      first by MacRumors, 5d ago · also MacRumors Forums

      1 more headline
  2. 3

    Commentary argues the 60Hz issue is not really about the screen

    A Vocal piece argues Apple's framing addresses the wrong question, suggesting the real concern with the iPad Mini 8 goes beyond the refresh rate itself.

    1. 1 outlet Apple Answered a Question Nobody Asked. The iPad Mini 8's 60Hz Problem Isn't About the Screen.

      first by Vocal, 6d ago

  3. 2 days quiet
  4. 1

    What Hi-Fi reviewer calls 60Hz a non-dealbreaker

    An AV-focused reviewer argues the 60Hz display is not a dealbreaker for on-the-move entertainment use of the new iPad mini.

    1. 1 outlet The OLED iPad Mini has a 60Hz display, but it isn't a dealbreaker for on-the-move AV enthusiasts like me

      first by What Hi-Fi?, 9d ago

  5. 2

    Apple explains OLED pixel response as substitute for ProMotion

    Apple states that the OLED panel's significantly faster pixel response time versus LCD reduces motion blur, positioning this as justification for the 60Hz cap instead of 120Hz ProMotion.

    1. 2 outlets Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display

      first by MacRumors, 10d ago · also The Mac Observer

      1 more headline
    2. 1 outlet iPad mini OLED Has 120Hz Panel Locked to 60Hz

      first by PaidFreeDroid - Technology Simplified!, 5d ago

  6. background

    Apple executive addresses missing 120Hz on new iPad mini — Coverage surfaces comments from an Apple executive explaining the decision to ship the new OLED iPad mini without ProMotion support.