Apple may finally include an always-on display in the forthcoming iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. As reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple may include the functionality in iOS 16, which would enable the iPhone to show a limited amount of information even while it is locked.
Gurman suggests that the always-on option on the iPhone might function in a manner that is similar to how it operates on Apple Watch Series 5 and later models. If this is the case, the always-on mode on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will cause the lock screen’s frame rate to slow down when the feature is engaged, allowing the devices to save battery while keeping the display switched on. It is unknown if the next iPhone will have a display made of low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO), the same technology that Apple employs in its more recent Watch models. Because they are designed to prevent devices from using excessive power, displays with low power consumption play a significant role in ensuring that the always-on mode functions as intended.
ANDROID DEVICES HAVE SUPPORTED ALWAYS-ON DISPLAY FOR YEARS
The previous year, industry observers speculated that the iPhone 13 would use an LTPO panel that would allow an always-on display. The always-on mode is supported by various Android devices, some of which have had this capability for many years. Always-on displays allow some Samsung smartphones, for example, to continue displaying information like the time, the percentage of battery life, widgets, and other content even while the phone is locked.
Gurman anticipates that iOS 16 will have characteristics similar to those of previous versions, such as wallpapers with “widget-like capabilities.” The always-on display is not the only feature that is supposed to be limited to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. According to previous rumors, Apple may only incorporate its new A16 processor with the two premium handsets. This is in addition to the always-on display.
On June 6th, Apple is scheduled to make several additional announcements about upcoming improvements at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which is quickly approaching. Gurman thinks that Apple might add improved windowing and multitasking options on the iPad, which would be in keeping with his past forecasts. He cites the discoveries of developer Steve Troughton-Smith, who recently revealed that Apple might be working on a feature that might allow users to resize windows freely. In addition to introducing new audio capabilities to Messages, Gurman expects that Apple will rework its System Preferences menu to make it more similar to the Settings app available on iOS. This change might apply to some of Apple’s other applications as well.
With the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) coming up in a little over a week, we will not have to wait too much longer to determine how many of these predictions come to pass.