Always-on iPhone 14 Pro display will feature most lock screen elements

More details of how the always-on display of the iPhone 14 Pro could work have surfaced, with the new iOS 16 lock screen deeply integrating with the hardware feature.

There have long been rumors that the next generation of iPhone will offer some form of always-on display, but not much on how it will actually appear to users. In new details leaked days before Apple's special event, it seems that the lock screen will be catered for with the new releases.

The new lock screen in iOS 16 includes new widgets and a customizable clock, which can float behind the subject of the wallpaper. In a leak to MacRumors, the depth effect could play a part in the always-on element.

Rather than displaying the entire wallpaper, it is claimed that the subject will still be visible, but the background behind them will be dark, to save on power. The foreground elements will be dimmed, but can also be tinted with color and feature edge highlights, varying based on the user's customization.

Elements such as widgets will be visible, but they will fade in and out on a timer, so it doesn't burn into the OLED panel. These configurable elements will appear the same way in both fully-illuminated and always-on states, so you can't have a different wallpaper for each, for example.

Notifications, as it appears in iOS 16's beta, will appear at the bottom of the display, but will be visible for about 10 second before disappearing. On wake-up, the notifications will animate and appear as normal.

Users may also be able to set a counter for notifications at the bottom of the display when in the always-on mode.

At the top of the display, the signal and power indicators will disappear from view.

25 Comments

dangaioh 16 comments · 9 Years

About 2 years ago

It’s about time. Apple always seems to be playing catch-up with Samsung which has had Always-on display as far back as 2016 starting with the Samsung Galaxy S7.

libertyandfree 189 comments · 11 Years

About 2 years ago

dangaioh said:

It’s about time. Apple always seems to be playing catch-up with Samsung which has had Always-on display as far back as 2016 starting with the Samsung Galaxy S7.

Apple may seem like it's always playing catchup but there are a few things you need to understand why this is so.
1) Apple will not introduce a new feature until it's near perfect, they don't strive to be the first but to provide a great user experience (Samsung obviously doesn't hold to this standard).
2) Apple has a massive R&D team developing new tech and features all the time and annually files numerous patents. Because it takes a long time from the initial prototype to a polished product doesn't mean they are not leading on the tech front.
2) Apple rolls out new features across all Pro models and or all iPhone models at once and based upon the sheer volume of devices (min 80M/year for Pro's) they need a large well-stocked supply chain (Samsung doesn't hold to this). This is a major reason OLED took so long to arrive on the iPhone.

byronl 376 comments · 4 Years

About 2 years ago

JP234 said:

If it were up to me, I'd choose longer battery life over a screen that stays lit in my pocket or my wife's purse. The always on screen makes sense for the Apple Watch, but who needs it for the phone?

they'll for sure use the proximity sensor for it to know when it's in your pocket or purse. and samsung's version only uses like 0.3% of battery per hour, not that significant

ericthehalfbee 4489 comments · 13 Years

About 2 years ago

I don’t get the hype for AOD. If I’m looking at my screen it’s because I want to see something (messages, missed calls…). Raising my iPhone or tapping the screen turns it on and with FaceID my notification details will become immediately visible.

Why would I want to look at a dimmed version of something with limited information when I can just as easily see the full version?

Same with Apple Watch. I raise my wrist and it turns on showing me everything normally. When would I ever be looking at my Watch where a dim display is going to give me some useful information?

Seems more like a vanity thing than anything else.

ericthehalfbee 4489 comments · 13 Years

About 2 years ago

dangaioh said:

It’s about time. Apple always seems to be playing catch-up with Samsung which has had Always-on display as far back as 2016 starting with the Samsung Galaxy S7.

I’m laughing just thinking about all the rage you’re going to feel on Sep 7th. Must be a very stressful day to see the most successful tech company announcing new products that you’re going to struggle to bash to justify your use of an inferior device (like anything made by Samsung).