iPhone 14 Pro models could feature an always-on display

iPhone 14 Pro models could feature an always-on display

iPhone 14 Pro models may get an always-on display, finally.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 Pro models could feature always-on displays because of the handsets’ ProMotion technology, which allows for variable refresh rates, a well-known analyst said Tuesday.

Essentially, an inactive iPhone 14 Pro handset may be able to drop all the down to a 1Hz refresh rate, similar to recent Apple Watch models.

iPhone 14 Pro could feature an always-on display

On an iPhone, an always-on display could let you see important information like the time and your remaining battery life even when a device is inactive or locked.

Currently, the two iPhone 13 Pro models come with low-temperature polycrystalline oxide display panels. They’re capable of variable refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz. Apple Watch also uses LTPO displays.

Ross Young, an analyst with Display Supply Chain Consultants, said in a tweet he expects the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max to be able to drop down to 1Hz, finally enabling an always-on display.

A 1Hz refresh rate works well for displaying static images when a device is inactive. That’s because it allows the screen to display information without  draining much battery life. For example, some of Samsung’s Android devices use a 1Hz refresh rate for their always-on displays.

Not a new rumor, but more likely this time

This does not mark the first time rumors have flown about  an always-on iPhone display. In 2021, some folks expected the iPhone 13 to include the capability. That never panned out, however.

Nevertheless, the two iPhone 14 Pro models probably will have the components and technology needed to make an always-on display possible. Nothing along those lines is confirmed, however.