S5 "Always On" Brightness?

[jclardy]

I'm a S4 owner, considering the upgrade to the S5. But my main question is - how bright is the always on mode? My main concern is the watchface being distracting while in dark environments. Like say watching a movie - is the screen bright enough to be noticeable above the brightness of the movie? Or when driving at night, does it look like you have a flashlight on your wrist? Or if you wear it for sleep tracking at night.


Basically what I'm wondering is whether the "minimum" brightness is actually lower than the S4? I can't really try it out at the Apple store because the store is so bright all the time.

 

[deeddawg]

Hasn't been an issue for me so far with driving in the dark. It dims down pretty low in dark environments.

As for a movie, I haven't been to one in a while but imagine it'd be fine. I'd likely use Theater Mode though which overrides AOD and blacks out the screen until you tap the watch of spin the crown to raise the brightness.

 

[techno-Zen]

Honestly.. in general use I found it damn hard to see. I had to wraise my wrist anyways so I just stayed with my S4

 

[warburg]

It shouldn't be a problem, but you can turn the Alway On off if you wish.

 

[rosegoldoli]

people say its low but i can still see it in most situations

 

[Vally1945]

My buddy has one and he says that it's annoying, but not unusable.

 

[MadCar]

It works really well. Numerous times now I've been able to glance at the watch in the same way I used to with a 'normal' watch just to tell the time.

It does get brighter and dimmer depending on sunlight and I really haven't found it an issue. Having come from an S2 its a big improvement and the AOD is something I won't be turning off.

 

[deeddawg]

people say its low but i can still see it in most situations

Only scenario I've found it difficult to view is in direct sunlight, at an angle, with a sweat-smudged screen, and I'm wearing sunglasses. Which hasn't been an issue as I've been able to shift my arm a smidge to put it in the shade of my body.

 

[The Game 161]

It’s low but more than good enough