The iPhone 14 will be the first iPhone model to feature an always-on display. It’s a feature that Android has had for a long time and that the iPhone doesn’t necessarily require. Apple most likely waited so long to implement always-on display support because it also required a specific hardware component, which the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will finally provide.
There have already been numerous leaks revealing the always-on display functionality, with iOS 16 code reinforcing them. However, a leaker with access to iPhone 14 Pro functionality posted additional information about how the feature will work. This is the same person who recently revealed that, contrary to popular belief, the iPhone 14 Pro notch will resemble an elongated pill rather than a separate pill and a hole.
Remember that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will have 120Hz ProMotion displays, which are even better than last year. They’ll go as low as 1Hz refresh instead of the iPhone 13 Pro’s 10Hz minimum. This will help conserve battery power, especially if the always-on display feature is enabled.
A MacRumors forum user claiming to have a “buddy” Apple engineer shared concept images of the always-on display feature in action. Furthermore, the leaker described the feature to MacRumors, confirming previous reports.
The images in this post show a significant change to the status bar. On the right side of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, there will be a full battery indicator. The indicator for cellular signal will be moved to the left, next to the carrier name. Prior to the introduction of the notch on the iPhone X, that was the status bar design of iPhones.
How does the iPhone 14 Pro’s always-on display work?
The always-on display feature will work in tandem with iOS 16’s new Lock Screen widgets. The Lock Screen wallpaper, widgets, and notifications will be used for the always-on display.
When the feature is turned on, any wallpapers with a depth effect are removed, and the screen darkens. The foreground will be darkened, but the design and colours will be inspired by the original wallpaper.
The content on the always-on display will be the same as it is now on the Lock Screen. You cannot set one display experience for the active Lock Screen and another for the always-on display. The latter will simply reflect the former.
The widgets you configure for that screen will be visible on the always-on display. However, Apple added a fade-in/fade-out feature at predetermined intervals. It won’t be noticed by the user, but it should prevent OLED burn-in on iPhone 14 Pro models.
Finally, Apple will display notifications on the always-on display of the iPhone 14 Pro. They are said to roll up from the bottom one at a time. They will be visible for approximately 10 seconds. Apple may also display a notification counter.
However, the experience is not yet complete, and Apple engineers are said to be working hard to finish it before the iPhone 14 launch next week.
