In the end, the iPhone has an always-on show. In true Apple style, nevertheless, it’s very completely different than what we’ve seen on Android telephones—and unique to the iPhone 14 Professional fashions, so that you’ll want one among Apple’s newest and best telephones to get it.
However when you’ve preordered an iPhone 14, you’ll discover that the always-on show isn’t a carbon copy of the Galaxy S22 or Pixel 6. Apple has carried out good, distinctive options into its always-on idea. And it simply may need some Android telephone makers altering the way in which they do issues.
The Lock Display screen image doesn’t disappear
For the previous 15 years, our Lock Screens have gotten quick shrift. We rigorously choose simply the fitting photograph and see it for about one second earlier than our telephone unlocks. The iPhone 14 Professional’s always-on show adjustments that: now our Lock Display screen photograph is seen even when our telephone goes to sleep. That’s not like any Android telephone—some do provide graphics that may seem, however none allow you to see a full photograph as soon as the display shuts off.
Most Android telephones’ always-on shows present a sequence of widgets that allow you to know the time, date, and whether or not an app has despatched you a notification. They appear like they might be helpful however they’re actually not—to get at any precise info, you’ll must unlock your telephone or, on the very least, activate the show and browse the notification.
That’s not how it’s with the iPhone 14 Professional. The widgets and notification banners keep seen so that you’ll see extra than simply the time and date, whereas some notifications, corresponding to timers, will proceed to replace within the background. Like on the Apple Watch, the always-on show could be very a lot an extension of the Lock Display screen and never a separate factor, which makes it really feel extra private, dynamic, and, nicely, helpful.

As a result of the always-on show is only a dimmed model of the Lock Display screen, notifications and widgets keep seen.
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It’s as good as it’s fashionable
Android’s always-on shows haven’t modified all that a lot over the previous 5 years or so. They present the time and date towards a black background, provide a couple of customization choices, and eat up battery life. Apple’s model gained’t.
For one, the iPhone 14 Professional is utilizing the identical LTPO show within the Apple Watch that lowers the refresh price all the way in which right down to 1Hz, so it makes use of as little energy as potential. And that’s not all: The iPhone 14 Professional’s always-on show can even save battery life by turning off when the show is face down or in your pocket, or if you depart the room whereas sporting an Apple Watch. I’m prepared to wager we’ll see comparable performance within the subsequent Android always-on shows as nicely.
It really works with apps
The always-on show isn’t only for . A number of of Apple’s apps nonetheless work whereas the always-on show is energetic, together with the Apple TV distant, Maps, Telephone, and Voice Memos. Which means sure apps will show controls as a substitute of the time and widgets, making it much more helpful. It’s a really good method to make use of the always-on show as a device relatively than simply one thing to have a look at.