14 DAY TRIAL // Always-on display is a feature that’s been around for a very long time, but of course, this only applies to Android devices.
Most of them do come with AOD, and unsurprisingly, they all use a similar implementation, with essential data like the current time and the notifications displayed on a black background.
The reason is as simple as it could be, as the black wallpaper reduces the battery impact, while putting the focus on the content that’s important for the user.
AOD on the iPhone 14
We’ve known for a while that Apple was also developing an always-on display feature of its own, and now thanks to 9to5mac, we finally get an early look at how the whole thing is going to work.
As compared to the Android approach we detailed above, Apple wants the always-on display feature to feel much more alive. Instead of a black background, the new AOD feature on the iPhone 14 will come with a sleep version of each wallpaper that sports a very dark shade with faded elements.
The AOD will therefore feel more dynamic, and to add to this approach, the background will light up to the full version when the screen is touched or the power button on the iPhone is pressed. The purpose is to obtain a transition that’s as seamless as the one on the Apple Watch.
At this point, it’s not clear if all iPhone 14 models will come with the same capability or Apple will keep it an exclusive feature of the Pro models, but it’s pretty clear this is going to be a major improvement for the overall experience.
The new models are expected to go live in September, so expect more information on the AOD feature to surface in the coming weeks.