If there’s one feature that iPhones have obviously been missing in recent years, it’s the always-on display. But it is starting to feel like one might finally be on the way.
In his latest Power On Newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that iOS 16 “creates future support for the always-on lock screen.” Gurman echoed a report last week about a new display that would “allow the iPhone to significantly lower the frame rate on the lock screen and display faster eye-catching information – just like the new Apple Watch.”
Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, reported on May 25 that this year he will get the “expected” Apple LPTO display that will reduce the refresh rate to 1Hz when not in use. This is less than the iPhone 13’s OLED display, which drops to 10Hz.
A lower refresh rate is important for saving battery life, because the faster a screen refreshes, the less battery it uses. For example, the Apple Watch, which has a always-on display to show the clock face from the Series 5, can reduce its refresh rate from 60Hz to 1Hz to save battery life when the always-on display is visible.
Gurman says the feature will be “exclusive” to Apple’s flagship iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
An ideal feature on Android phones, an always-on display allows the iPhone to show basic statistics such as time, date and notifications when the screen is off. It traditionally shows white text in contrast to a full-black screen, although some implementations use color. Apple has been rumored to be experimenting with an on-display display for years, but the technology has yet to be applied to any device other than the Apple Watch.
The new iPhone is expected to launch this September. You can keep up with the latest rumors with our iPhone 14 SuperGuide, or make a bargain in the current range with a roundup of our best iPhone deals.