The Apple Event that took place in April unveiled several products. It included the new Mini LED display, M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Fast forward a month, and the new iPad Pro tablet with the M1 processor has already started shipping. Both users and critics have praised the beautiful Mini-LED display. The picture quality and brightness of the display are also spectacular, to be honest.
Having said that, some Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro owners have started reporting display issues aka the blooming effect. It is visible to naked eyes when using a Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro in a dark room. Some users like Teoh Yi Chie and Josh Teder have showcased the blooming effect on Twitter. The problem is visible around the bright areas of the new iPad Pro.
How is the Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro display different?
According to MacRumors, Apple has said that the Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro minimizes the blooming effect in its support documents. The Liquid Retina XDR Display makes use of local dimming techniques. This results in better picture quality compared to similar LED or LCDs.
The traditional LED displays used in most smartphones and tablets make use of global dimming. This method results in the entire picture getting darker or brighter as the display changes its brightness.
The edge-lit displays offer more dimming zones since they are located on every corner of the screen. But even they don’t come close compared to the level of contrast offered by OLED technology.
The Mini LEDs used in the M1-powered Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets use a new type of dimming, known as ‘full array local dimming.’ The 12.9-inch iPad Pro makes use of the same technology, with sources claiming that it will also be used in the next generation of MacBook Pro laptops.
Why is the Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro display having blooming problems?
Even though Apple has specifically said that the new technology improves existing dimming technologies, the truth is something else.
The use of Mini-LEDs was always challenging. Although they are more expensive to manufacture, they suffer from the ghosting/blooming effect the iPad is experiencing.
The blooming issue on New Mini LED Display M1 iPad Pro is most visible when viewing high-contrast scenes. This is the reason why it is visible in dimly lit rooms. Check out a video shared by a user on Twitter
According to Apple, these mini-LEDs are grouped into an array of over 2,500 individually controlled local dimming zones. This delivers incredibly deep blacks right next to bright image areas, achieving a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Transitional characteristics of local dimming zones, such as a slight blur or color change while scrolling against black backgrounds, are normal behavior.
Having said that, the blooming effect on Mini LED iPad Pro won’t be visible when playing games, watching movies, or any other dynamic scenes. The only place where it is visible is when using the iPad in a dark environment on 100% brightness.
Another scenario when the blooming effect is visible is when you tilt the device while using it. So, before you send your new iPad Pro back to Apple, keep in mind that Apple won’t be able to send you a better one.
Is there a potential solution to blooming issue?
If you are planning to get a replacement or cancel it, then hold on and read. The blooming issue does not seem to be a big issue. It only pops up when you use the device in a specific manner. It usually happens when content is watched in high contrast and high brightness scenarios, or put up in tilt position.
Surely, none of us use any device on full brightness in a dark room or tilt it and watch content when using it normally. If you plan to stream on M1, it is advisable to watch without tilting it and not to put a screen on 100% brightness with pitch dark room.
The superior picture quality offered by the Mini LED 12.9-inch iPad Pro overshadows the underlying display issue it is facing. And until technology improvises, there is nothing Apple can do.
