If the latest rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 14 Pro will have a so-called always-on display, just like on Android phones. Such a screen is basically always on, but in a very energy-efficient mode. You see little to no color, but quickly check what time it is and whether you have any new notifications.
The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max feature LPTO OLED screens. Those screens have a variable refresh rate, which can drop to a minimum of 10 Hertz. This is useful, for example, for a locked screen, which saves the phone energy. Android phones also have such screens, but can reduce the refresh rate to 1 Hertz.
iPhone 14 Pro with always-on display?
1 Hertz is, of course, even more energy efficient than 10 Hertz. Factories of Android phones use that technology for a screen that can always be on, with which you check the time and your notifications. It is possible that this type of screen, with such a low refresh rate, will also come to the iPhone 14 Pro.
Twitter won’t load because you didn’t give permission.
Can’t confirm, but expecting it.
– Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 23, 2022
At least that’s what display analyst Ross Young thinks, reporting this on Twitter. Ross suspects that Apple will offer screens that support 1 Hertz. And then it is at least theoretically possible that the iPhone 14 Pro will get an always-on display (AOD). It could also potentially improve battery life.
Apple is familiar with the technology
So on the iPhone we haven’t seen this kind of screen yet, but on the Apple Watch we have. So Apple is familiar with this kind of technology and can probably easily apply it to other devices. The big question now is only whether the company actually plans to do this for the new smartphones.
Always-on screens are fine additions for smartphones (and smartwatches) because you can check your device at a glance. You can see what time it is and if you are still important. You don’t have to activate the screen or unlock your phone, so you can quickly get on with what you were doing.