Malcolm Owen
The "iPhone 13" could have an always-on display, a rumor claims, one that could potentially light up portions for a brief period to show notifications to the user, without illuminating the entire screen.
The 2021 iPhone refresh is already rumored to include a few big changes in its display technology. However, one of the features could be the always-on function that was introduced in the Apple Watch Series 6.
According to Max Weinbach via EverythingApplePro, the "iPhone 13" may use an always-on display. To users, this will mean that the lockscreen will still show some important elements, but won't necessarily fully illuminate in the same way as current models do.
The clock and battery icons will apparently always be visible on the screen, even if the screen is locked, and will do so regardless of the illuminated state of the rest of the display.
Notifications are displayed on the lock screen "using a bar and icons," with it popping up normally on the display, though not all of the screen will light up. "Instead, it will display it just like you're used to right now, except dimmed down and only temporarily," said Weinbach.
Weinbach has a decent track record when it comes to leaks, along with EverythingApplePro's reporting. The pair were a main proponent of ProMotion rumors for the iPhone 12 in 2020, though that feature did not make it into production models.
Early rumors surrounding the "iPhone 13" have already revived the idea of a 120Hz iPhone display, using LTPO technology to handle the variable clock speed of ProMotion. It would also be feasible for the technology to provide an always-on function, as it does for the Apple Watch by minimizing the refresh rate to save power.
So far, there have only been rumors about the technology's use in the "iPhone 13," and with relatively few reports at that. As time nears for its launch, the specifications for the inbound generation may become clearer.
The video also brought up other elements of the device's potential changes, including the use of a stronger magnet array for MagSafe, and an automatically-switching astrophotography mode when the stars or the moon is detected by the camera.
The video didn't just stick to the iPhone. The long-anticipated "AirTags" are said to be launching in March or April. This tracks with information tweeted out by another prominent leaker on Friday, with a March launch earmarked for the trackable device.
Lastly, the "Apple Watch Series 7" apparently won't include glucose monitoring. A report in January claimed the feature was on the way, offering a non-invasive way to track blood sugar measurements.
Other previous claims about the "iPhone 13" include its use of a four-camera array with LiDAR, a smaller or minimal notch at the front, a port-less design without Lightning, and the return of Touch ID.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
19 Comments
The always on screen was added in the Apple Watch Series 5, not the Series 6.
What is the effective lifespan of oled pixels these days? IDK, but I’d be a bit concerned if this means that portions of my phone display will age more rapidly and diminish the useful life if the phone.
I had this on my Samsung S7 , Yonkers ago. About time Apple ! Really liked it on that phone.
I should add the S7 moved the image slightly every so often so it didn’t “burn in” the screen. I expect Apple will do something similar.
There is zero reason this couldn't be done on any OLED iPhone, so the iPhone X and above. Years ago there were rumours about lighting only part of the LCD display on iPhones for notifications, but it never came to anything. Many Android phones have had always-on displays like this for years.