Apple’s iPhone 13 Could Feature Always-On Display, Like Apple Watch
When Apple launches the iPhone 13 in just a matter of weeks, one of its highlight features will likely be an always-on-display. Always-on displays have existed on Android smartphones for a while at this point. If a phone uses an OLED or AMOLED screen, it can be switched to an ‘always-on’ state when it continually shows things like the time, date, notifications, etc. It’s not a deal-breaker as to whether or not a phone has the feature, but it has become a staple of flagship (and even mid-range) handsets over the past few years — except for the iPhone.The iPhone 13 is expected to be a modest upgrade over the iPhone 12, but the upgrades it is rumored to come with should be fairly substantial. The latest reports suggest there being improved autofocus, a 120Hz refresh rate for the Pro models, and a virtually identical lineup compared to last year (including the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max). Along with all of that, it’s also very likely that an always-on display will finallybe present.In the latest update of his Power On Newsletter, Apple analyst Mark Gurman shared an interesting tidbit regarding the iPhone 13. In addition to the rumored 120Hz refresh rate, Gurman says the iPhone 13 may also feature an “Apple Watch-like always-on mode.” That suggests it’ll work similarly to other always-on displays on competing phones, showing the time, date, etc. This isn’t the first time an always-on display has been rumored for the iPhone 13, and considering the accuracy of Gurman’s previous Apple reports, there’s reason to believe this feature will come to fruition this year.Don’t Expect Always-On Display For All IPhone 13 Models Although Gurman refers to the ‘iPhone 13’ as getting always-on display support, this feature will likely be reserved for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The always-on feature will be made possible thanks to LTPO display technology — something that allows screens to change brightness and refresh rates with much greater efficiency. It’s the same technology that’ll allow Apple to introduce the 120Hz refresh rate, and according to all of the latest rumors, that’s something that’ll only be found on the Pro models. With that in mind, it’s safe to assume the same is true of the always-on display.That’s not to say non-Pro iPhones will never get an always-on display, but if it does actually happen this year, it’ll likely be reserved for the most expensive ones. That is disappointing for fans really looking forward to the feature, but the fact that always-on display is coming to the iPhone at all is still exciting. Nothing is confirmed until Apple says so itself, but thanks to this latest report, things are looking pretty good in that regard.
Read More