iPhone 14 Pro Screen Refresh Rate Upgrade Could Allow for Always-On Display

[MacRumors]

Last year's iPhone 13 Pro models were the first of Apple's smartphones to come with 120Hz ProMotion displays, and while the two iPhone 14 Pro models will continue to feature the technology, their screens could well boast expanded refresh rate variability this time round.

To bring ProMotion displays to the ‌iPhone 13 Pro models‌, Apple adopted LTPO panel technology with variable refresh rates, allowing for a more power-efficient backplane – the part responsible for turning individual pixels on and off. In this way, ProMotion is capable of dynamically producing fast frame rates when users need them, while preserving battery life when they don't.

On the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, however, Apple's ProMotion displays are limited to dialing screen refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz. This contrasts with LPTO panels used by the likes of Oppo and Samsung that can drop to as low as 1Hz when viewing a static image or when the device is inactive.

Well-connected display analyst Ross Young says he is "expecting" the ProMotion displays used in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max to be capable of dropping to the same 1Hz low. Depending on how Apple decides to take things, the technology could pave the way for longer battery life or always-on display elements.

As an example, Apple Watch Series 7 models use LTPO displays, which enables them to have the same up-to-18-hour battery life as earlier Apple Watch models despite having an always-on display. Similar to LTPO-equipped Android phones, the same technology on iPhone could display the time, date, and any notifications on-screen at all times without needing to unlock the handset.

Last year, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman suggested Apple could bring similar functionality to the iPhone 13, but that didn't happen. Currently, there are no credible leaks pointing to the iPhone 14 Pro models coming with always-on display features. However, that doesn’t mean Apple won't surprise us. Indeed, if Apple expands the refresh rate variability of its ProMotion displays, there will be no technical limitations to prevent it.

Article Link: iPhone 14 Pro Screen Refresh Rate Upgrade Could Allow for Always-On Display

 

[JCCL]

Here we go….again

 

[dantracht]

No thanks. I don’t want mine on all the time. Same with the watch.

 

[MacWorld78]

I just love this idea as "LED Notification" from blackberry. 😉

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I love Always on Display on my Apple watch. It would be very nice to see it on an iPhone 14 line up.

 

[Sciomar]

Nothing wrong with giving the choice on this feature, since I have an Apple watch I probably wouldn't turn this on.

 

[fourthtunz]

No thanks. I don’t want mine on all the time. Same with the watch.

Me either! Not sure how this is a thing? Motion activated is good enough for me.

 

[Johnny907]

Whereas I’d be happy if they just included the option to LOCK the refresh rate, as I’m one of the unlucky few made sick by the variable refresh rate of the 13 Pro. It’s just a software toggle, folks. Bury it in accessibility for the few of us who want the improved cameras of the Pro but not the resulting vertigo from looking at the screen.

 

[tothemoonsands]

Existential question: If an iphone's display is on, and there’s no one around to see it, does it display an image?

 

[fcs132]

Whereas I’d be happy if they just included the option to LOCK the refresh rate, as I’m one of the unlucky few made sick by the variable refresh rate of the 13 Pro. It’s just a software toggle, folks. Bury it in accessibility for the few of us who want the improved cameras of the Pro but not the resulting vertigo from looking at the screen.

Already a thing,

 

[that be me]

No thanks. I don’t want mine on all the time. Same with the watch.

So you'd be opposed to a toggle to turn the feature on or off?

 

[techno-Zen]

This has to happen eventually.

 

[that be me]

Already a thing,

All this does is cap the refresh rate to 60. It still goes lower...or does it?

 

[DarkCole]

Always on display outside of the pocket or when nothing covering the front would be great. I regularly have my phone propped up in front of me on my desk while working, and would love to be able to look down to see notification alerts without tapping the screen. It would be awesome if only an indicator would update instead of waking up the entire screen to show a notification, until tapped. That trade off alone might save battery life or even out.

 

[t0rqx]

Personally I do not understand the fuzz with the Always-On display. Especially on the iPhone, if I use it i am probably watching content, if not, it is probably in my pocket or out of sight. I’d rather save battery.

 

[fcs132]

All this does is cap the refresh rate to 60. It still goes lower...or does it?

But it’s the super fast 120 that seems to be bothering him. Toggle should make it feel on par with older gen iPhones

 

[alpi123]

No thanks. I don’t want mine on all the time. Same with the watch.

I love when people act as if they're being forced to use this feature... you can literally turn it off

 

[dyt1983]

Maybe if Apple made it possible to configure & change/remove the two control buttons on the lock screen (camera, which seems redundant considering you can slide the lock screen left, and flashlight).

I see enough people pulling hot iPhones out of their pockets with the flashlights or cameras on.

 

[wood1208]

Apple trying to differentiate lot between PRO and non-pro models. I understand the non-pro models will not have the same variable refresh screen but hope at least same cut-out pill-hole design than all good.

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

No thanks. I don’t want mine on all the time. Same with the watch.

You do know these things have a switch, right?

It would be nice to see Apple catch up to phones of 2012.

 

[epictempo]

Whereas I’d be happy if they just included the option to LOCK the refresh rate, as I’m one of the unlucky few made sick by the variable refresh rate of the 13 Pro. It’s just a software toggle, folks. Bury it in accessibility for the few of us who want the improved cameras of the Pro but not the resulting vertigo from looking at the screen.

Really praying the 14’s PWM is bearable! This 11 is getting pretty sluggish. Cmon Apple, just give us another LCD or mLED iPhone with updated specs.

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

Existential question: If an iphone's display is on, and there’s no one around to see it, does it display an image?

No, because a few posters (not you!) don't seem to understand that when the phone is in your pocket, its not on at all.

 

[Mick-Mac]

An always on display is something that doesn't interest me in the slightest (although I'm sure there will be some way to disable that feature if it happens, so whatever...).

 

[pterrell]

Always on display outside of the pocket or when nothing covering the front would be great. I regularly have my phone propped up in front of me on my desk while working, and would love to be able to look down to see notification alerts without tapping the screen. It would be awesome if only an indicator would update instead of waking up the entire screen to show a notification, until tapped. That trade off alone might save battery life or even out.

Like the good ol’ days when there was an indicator light that would flash (separate from the screen display.

 

[DNichter]

The view in the picture above is what I have always wanted - used to jailbreak just for this feature. Always on, little icons w/ badges, tap on it to see notifications just for that app. I am hopeful that the leak about "revamping notifications" will do just this. To me, it is the perfect way to manage notifications.