iPhone 14 Pro The new AOD is a technical feat not getting enough attention

[ian87w]

Folding display.

The foldable OLED tech itself has been used in Apple Watch and the iPhone X to create the edge-to-edge look. Apple basically folded the screen on the edges so the bezels can be uniform. This is why in the early days of edge-to-edge screen phones, iPhone X was quite revolutionary as the Android competitors tend to have huge chins.

So Apple is not neccessarily making a foldable phone, but they have been using the foldable OLED tech since the iPhone X, the first OLED iPhone.

 

[ian87w]

Great analysis! It is just like Apple to not be first to market with a feature, but to implement it more efficiently and in a more practical way. Maybe part of the reason for the seamless implementation is the insane performance of the SOC?

And for the actual tech to be available as well. Apple was basically waiting for the 1Hz refresh rate being possible to minimize power drain.

Even as an Android user, I find and appreciate many things that Apple does. Eg multi-lens camera system. Many Android OEMs simply just put whatever lenses they can get, thus there is usually huge discrepancy in quality and capabilities between main camera and the ultrawide/telephoto. With Apple, they tuned all the lenses to at least provide the similar white balance, thus when you are zooming in/out on the iPhone, you feel that it's a single camera system. Some Android OEMs are so lazy that you have to change camera mode to go ultrawide. I really appreciate those kinds of detalis that Apple does.

 

[DMG35]

Good stuff OP! I most definitely agree.

 

[fatTribble]

Great analysis! I didn‘t expect to like Always On Display this much. I thought at first they would just do the clock and widgets. To me having the entire screen visible is really nice. My battery life has been excellent too. I read that some people turned off the Always On right away. I try to use products as-designed. If that doesn’t work I’ll then adjust. But so far for me the Always On has been a nice upgrade.

I think there are a ton of technical achievements that Apple puts into every iPhone that most of us aren’t even aware of. The who-did-it-first discussion is not anything I think about. I like Apple’s way of every feature being done right (arguably). Which car company first had 2 speed windshield wipers? Which car company had the first led tail lights? If you’re like me, you don’t care. You just care that the car you buy has the features you want and they work. That’s how I look at iPhones.

 

[FSMBP]

It is a great technical feat but it seems poorly executed...Most famous reviewers / even forum members are not enjoying Apple's implementation. It seems like the AOD looks like your iPhone forget to auto-lock.

I hate Android but I prefer their simplified AOD - black screen, a few widgets. That way it can be AOD but not distracting.

 

[Ryan1524]

Liking the AoD so far. I do hope they give us more customizations though. There’s a lot of potential here, with more control.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Very first thing I did was to turn it off!

 

[chabig]

Siri already existid on iPhone as a separate app before Apple bought the company and made it into their own.
Facetime was basically the tech that was used for the Xbox Kinect. Apple bought the company, and the innovation here is using it as FaceID on a phone.

You are confusing FaceTime with FaceID. FaceTime is a video calling service. FaceID is biometric authentication, related to Kinect.

 

[ian87w]

It is a great technical feat but it seems poorly executed...Most famous reviewers / even forum members are not enjoying Apple's implementation. It seems like the AOD looks like your iPhone forget to auto-lock.

I hate Android but I prefer their simplified AOD - black screen, a few widgets. That way it can be AOD but not distracting.

Different take. Most people are used to the Android way so it might be jarring to see Apple's method. Android treats AoD as another screen, another layer on top the lockscreen, while Apple considered the lockscreen as the AoD as well

 

[ian87w]

You are confusing FaceTime with FaceID. FaceTime is a video calling service. FaceID is biometric authentication, related to Kinect.

Oops yes, my mistake. Autocorrect 😂

 

[sjperformance]

Wait...Apple is never the first in something? OK. I can think of many right now. Just wait now with the dynamic island. In 2023 you gonna see a laundry list of phones with that feature.

 

[jamezr]

This is definitely one of those things that seems extremely easy and straight-forward, but the technical details are anything but.

On the most basic level, you might think this is nothing special, you just don't turn off the screen.

A slightly more technical person might know something about OLED displays being required for this kind of stuff.

Here I just want to draw attention to another level of technical detail you might not have known, OLED screen is just one factor that plays into AOD, it's not even a required factor, there have been mobile devices with LCD AOD, and yes, backlit LCD. The other perhaps more important factor is what are you using to show the contents of the AOD.

Cuz if you think about this, there's a 2k display in full color, that needs to be supplied with graphical content, which may seem trivial today but what if you have to be doing this WITHOUT using the main SOC?

Ever wondered why those Android phones with AOD always have this tiny window? They always cram everything into this window, nothing can go outside, no graphics, no text, almost like a small virtual screen living on the large screen? Well that's because that's exactly what it is. To save power by not using the main SOC for the AOD, there's some kind of a sub-system which takes over the display when the main system goes to sleep. You can see this happening because the AOD can't show up until the Lock Screen have completely faded. You can also see this in action when you try to change or customize the AOD, see how it always takes a while for you to "apply" changes why? Cuz it has to upload those information into the sub-system that actually runs the AOD. This system has limited memory, storage and performance so it's incapable of driving the entire main display, that's right the small windows, they're a performance limitation, and have nothing to do with burn-in mitigation.

Here's the S22 Ultra's AOD, for people making false claims


On the iPhone, well you can hardly tell there's another system running the AOD because it's so perfectly integrated and working exactly how you'd expect an AOD to work (without prior exposure to the technically limited Android devices), it just doesn't turn off, it's that simple really. But if you think about what has to happen in the background, obviously the wallpaper in full resolution has to be uploaded to the AOD system, but it also has to handle the notifications, it has to render the notification cards, which are as big as the entire AOD Android phones display, but there's this blur effect behind the notification cards, no idea how that's done. Maybe the AOD system just has insane graphics performance or maybe they just re-draw the Lock Screen with the notifications as part of the background with the main SOC?

So Android has had AOD for about 10 years. Android does it differently.

With Android AOD you have a SEPARATE screen for AOD. It also has more options to use that Apple's AOD. All Apple does is light up your existing lockscreen. So you cannot have a separate AOD and lockscreen. Then like in the picture you provided I can draw a smile on my S22 Ultra or a note to myself anfd use it for AOD. Then the picture you posted also shows battery percenatge. I don't have that on my iPhone 14 Pro Max

While Apple and Android phones makers do it differntly Apple has a way to go to catch up and offer more feature for AOD. But this is their first year offering this feature and I am sure features will come as they get more expeince with this feature.

 

[russell_314]

I said the sensors, which are able to read triggers that others hadn’t before.

That’s kind of like how android has face unlock, but Apple made it better with sensors to detect the 3D image of the face. Yes, they have new sensors, but only to do the same thing better. I think it’s awesome though.

 

[russell_314]

Folding display.

Folding display huh? Where do I put my order in for that nice folding iPhone 😂

 

[jamezr]

It is a great technical feat but it seems poorly executed...Most famous reviewers / even forum members are not enjoying Apple's implementation. It seems like the AOD looks like your iPhone forget to auto-lock.

I hate Android but I prefer their simplified AOD - black screen, a few widgets. That way it can be AOD but not distracting.

I would like to see a separate screen to be used for AOD with a few more customizations like battery percenatge and more widgets to add to it.

 

[1096bimu]

It is a great technical feat but it seems poorly executed...Most famous reviewers / even forum members are not enjoying Apple's implementation. It seems like the AOD looks like your iPhone forget to auto-lock.

I hate Android but I prefer their simplified AOD - black screen, a few widgets. That way it can be AOD but not distracting.

you shouldn't be worrying about if your phone is auto-locked, Apple stuff have always been designed such that you should forget about it and not worry about how it is doing.

So Android has had AOD for about 10 years. Android does it differently.

With Android AOD you have a SEPARATE screen for AOD. It also has more options to use that Apple's AOD. All Apple does is light up your existing lockscreen. So you cannot have a separate AOD and lockscreen. Then like in the picture you provided I can draw a smile on my S22 Ultra or a note to myself anfd use it for AOD. Then the picture you posted also shows battery percenatge. I don't have that on my iPhone 14 Pro Max

While Apple and Android phones makers do it differntly Apple has a way to go to catch up and offer more feature for AOD. But this is their first year offering this feature and I am sure features will come as they get more expeince with this feature.

Separate AOD screen is bad because that's another thing you have to manage on your phone, it's only good for people who want to fiddle with their phone, instead of people who just want to use a phone.

there's no reason to show the battery percentage because there's no reason to worry about the battery percentage at all times. Again, normal people don't care about their phone and how it works, they only want to use the phone, and from that perspective, nobody cares what the battery percentage is, as long as it still works.

The Apple AOD is already way ahead of what Android is doing, there's nothing to "catch up", it simply doesn't have features some geeks want to have, which is again, quite common of an Apple product. But those features are missing by choice and not by technical limitation. Where as the Android AOD can't light up the whole screen and show the wallpaper because of a technical limitation, and not by choice. That's the big difference.

 

[compwiz1202]

AirPower was never a thing, so that doesn’t count and HomePod is only terrible because of Siri

HomePod seems like it should be Android. Superb hardware with garbage software. She is much better now than I remember though.

 

[r98266]

This is definitely one of those things that seems extremely easy and straight-forward, but the technical details are anything but.

On the most basic level, you might think this is nothing special, you just don't turn off the screen.

A slightly more technical person might know something about OLED displays being required for this kind of stuff.

Here I just want to draw attention to another level of technical detail you might not have known, OLED screen is just one factor that plays into AOD, it's not even a required factor, there have been mobile devices with LCD AOD, and yes, backlit LCD. The other perhaps more important factor is what are you using to show the contents of the AOD.

Cuz if you think about this, there's a 2k display in full color, that needs to be supplied with graphical content, which may seem trivial today but what if you have to be doing this WITHOUT using the main SOC?

Ever wondered why those Android phones with AOD always have this tiny window? They always cram everything into this window, nothing can go outside, no graphics, no text, almost like a small virtual screen living on the large screen? Well that's because that's exactly what it is. To save power by not using the main SOC for the AOD, there's some kind of a sub-system which takes over the display when the main system goes to sleep. You can see this happening because the AOD can't show up until the Lock Screen have completely faded. You can also see this in action when you try to change or customize the AOD, see how it always takes a while for you to "apply" changes why? Cuz it has to upload those information into the sub-system that actually runs the AOD. This system has limited memory, storage and performance so it's incapable of driving the entire main display, that's right the small windows, they're a performance limitation, and have nothing to do with burn-in mitigation.

Here's the S22 Ultra's AOD, for people making false claims


On the iPhone, well you can hardly tell there's another system running the AOD because it's so perfectly integrated and working exactly how you'd expect an AOD to work (without prior exposure to the technically limited Android devices), it just doesn't turn off, it's that simple really. But if you think about what has to happen in the background, obviously the wallpaper in full resolution has to be uploaded to the AOD system, but it also has to handle the notifications, it has to render the notification cards, which are as big as the entire AOD Android phones display, but there's this blur effect behind the notification cards, no idea how that's done. Maybe the AOD system just has insane graphics performance or maybe they just re-draw the Lock Screen with the notifications as part of the background with the main SOC?

Cool tech, but I shut it off anyway, so I don’t see the need to hype it up..

 

[russell_314]

HomePod seems like it should be Android. Superb hardware with garbage software. She is much better now than I remember though.

I seriously think Apple needs to have a development team just work on Siri. That fake house that Tim Cook showed off at the HomePod mini release should where Tim has to live until he can figure out how to make Siri work correctly. 😂😂😂

Seriously, though even basic functions like turning on the light for setting an alarm can be challenging for Siri. If they can just make some very basic functions work seamlessly, that would be great. I don’t need Siri to tell me the answer to my homework, but if I ask a simple question, it should be able to answer it.

A good example is I asked Siri what time is it in Pacific daylight time. If Siri doesn’t understand the question it defaults to a Google search 🤦‍♂️. That’s completely useless in many situations. I mean, if I wanted to do a Google search, I would just use the Google app.

Speaking of Google I have the Google app on my phone. Guess what Google answered when I asked the same question? Google gave me the current time for that time zone.

Also, doing something like setting an alarm to wake me up. 90% of the time Siri can comprehend and do that. 10% of the time it’s just impossible. Sometimes I can try multiple times and nothing.

 

[jamezr]

you shouldn't be worrying about if your phone is auto-locked, Apple stuff have always been designed such that you should forget about it and not worry about how it is doing.

Separate AOD screen is bad because that's another thing you have to manage on your phone, it's only good for people who want to fiddle with their phone, instead of people who just want to use a phone.

there's no reason to show the battery percentage because there's no reason to worry about the battery percentage at all times. Again, normal people don't care about their phone and how it works, they only want to use the phone, and from that perspective, nobody cares what the battery percentage is, as long as it still works.

The Apple AOD is already way ahead of what Android is doing, there's nothing to "catch up", it simply doesn't have features some geeks want to have, which is again, quite common of an Apple product. But those features are missing by choice and not by technical limitation. Where as the Android AOD can't light up the whole screen and show the wallpaper because of a technical limitation, and not by choice. That's the big difference.

Blind Apple fan much do ya?

So you never have to worry about battery life on your phone? You should just use it and not worry? Do you not see the contradiction in your statements? If I just use my phone.......will it not drain my battery? Would I not then have to check the battery level to see if I need to top it off so it will get through whatever I am doing?

A separate AOD screen makes more sense and would consume less power than lighting up a whole lockscreen.
Did you read the other threads here on MR with people saying exactly what I just wrote?

Battery drain with current scheme

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/always-on-screen-draining-my-battery-like-crazy-or-is-it-something-else.2360573/post-31512018

Here is all the current 14 owners who hate how it is implemented

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/who-hates-the-always-on-feature.2360906/post-31520371

Then to be honest in the next IOS update it will add a lot of what people are asking for here on MR. Then what will you you say?



Then using your logic......
Why use AOD at all? Why do you need it? Why not just use your phone? You don't need it....
Heck using your logic why do you need to have a wallpaper or icons or anyother customization. Apple knows whats best for you...just use you pohone and don't worry about those things.....geesh.

 

[MisterSavage]

I really didn't expect them to show background photos when AOD is on but I just love that they do.

 

[compwiz1202]

I seriously think Apple needs to have a development team just work on Siri. That fake house that Tim Cook showed off at the HomePod mini release should where Tim has to live until he can figure out how to make Siri work correctly. 😂😂😂

Seriously, though even basic functions like turning on the light for setting an alarm can be challenging for Siri. If they can just make some very basic functions work seamlessly, that would be great. I don’t need Siri to tell me the answer to my homework, but if I ask a simple question, it should be able to answer it.

A good example is I asked Siri what time is it in Pacific daylight time. If Siri doesn’t understand the question it defaults to a Google search 🤦‍♂️. That’s completely useless in many situations. I mean, if I wanted to do a Google search, I would just use the Google app.

Speaking of Google I have the Google app on my phone. Guess what Google answered when I asked the same question? Google gave me the current time for that time zone.

Also, doing something like setting an alarm to wake me up. 90% of the time Siri can comprehend and do that. 10% of the time it’s just impossible. Sometimes I can try multiple times and nothing.

Yes the more basic things she hasn't been clueless about lately, but I also don't understand why she doesn't answer simple questions like she used to. If I wanted to search on my phone, I would have done that. I told her yesterday Next Song, and she asked when I wanted the alarm for. And why does she give me choices for a movie when I literally said what one of the choices is. If I wanted Sonic the Hedgehog 2, I would have said that. The other weird one is where half the time she will do something and the next time confirm. The example is when there's a timer or alarm in the bedroom, but we came out sooner without cancelling. It goes off, and I say Hey Siri, stop. Half the time she will just turn it off, and the other she asks "Stop the Bedroom?" There's no other alarms going off!

 

[1096bimu]

Blind Apple fan much do ya?

So you never have to worry about battery life on your phone? You should just use it and not worry? Do you not see the contradiction in your statements? If I just use my phone.......will it not drain my battery? Would I not then have to check the battery level to see if I need to top it off so it will get through whatever I am doing?

There's no contradiction, I don't worry about it and I don't check the battery level, I don't have the new battery level display thing turn on, I haven't used such feature since I switched to iPhone X from Android because I realized it's a pointless exercise.
I always have enough to get through, there's no reason to check
I always to it off, there's again, no reason to check

A separate AOD screen makes more sense and would consume less power than lighting up a whole lockscreen.
Did you read the other threads here on MR with people saying exactly what I just wrote?

People who don't know anything saying stupid things? no
the screen itself uses very little power, almost none in fact, for an ultra dimmed lockscreen, it won't make enough of a difference for anyone to notice.

iPhone 14 Pro Always-on display battery drain tested

What's the effect of the Always-on display function on the iPhone 14 Pro on battery life? We run a test to find out...

www.phonearena.com

Here is all the current 14 owners who hate how it is implemented

Err so? for any feature ever you'll find someone who loves it and someone who hates it

Then using your logic......
Why use AOD at all? Why do you need it? Why not just use your phone? You don't need it....

I don't need it, it looks nice, and it's cool

Heck using your logic why do you need to have a wallpaper or icons or anyother customization. Apple knows whats best for you...just use you pohone and don't worry about those things.....geesh.

To be honest, I don't like the new customization options for iOS16, it is now possible to make ultra ugly lockscreens like some people have been showing off here with incoherent colors. All those icon changing apps on the app store, absolutely disgusting, feels like I'm back in Android land, definitely giving me PTSD of poorly designed themes/fonts being used by artistically crippled people.

 

[erikkfi]

I take all your points but I still don’t understand why iPhone couldn’t have a partial AOD solution like Android years ago. It’s not as if Apple doesn’t start small and then iterate in other areas (e.g., notch -> Dynamic Island).

 

[jamezr]

There's no contradiction, I don't worry about it and I don't check the battery level, I don't have the new battery level display thing turn on, I haven't used such feature since I switched to iPhone X from Android because I realized it's a pointless exercise.
I always have enough to get through, there's no reason to check
I always to it off, there's again, no reason to check


People who don't know anything saying stupid things? no
the screen itself uses very little power, almost none in fact, for an ultra dimmed lockscreen, it won't make enough of a difference for anyone to notice.

iPhone 14 Pro Always-on display battery drain tested

What's the effect of the Always-on display function on the iPhone 14 Pro on battery life? We run a test to find out...

www.phonearena.com

Err so? for any feature ever you'll find someone who loves it and someone who hates it

I don't need it, it looks nice, and it's cool

To be honest, I don't like the new customization options for iOS16, it is now possible to make ultra ugly lockscreens like some people have been showing off here with incoherent colors. All those icon changing apps on the app store, absolutely disgusting, feels like I'm back in Android land, definitely giving me PTSD of poorly designed themes/fonts being used by artistically crippled people.

everything you have said is contracditory......
Your logic says people don't need to worry about battery life...just use it and don't worry about it.....

So then why have ANY cusomizations at all? Just use your phone and don't worry about it.
You don't need a swparate wallpaper and locakscreen...you don't need to have any custom groups for icon on your homescreen...just use your phone and don't worry about it lol....

If you don't like AOD...turn it off. If you like great!
But my opinion of AOD on my 14 PM differs from yours. I think it is a great first step. But I want mnore from it. I don't want it to use my lockscreen to do AOD. It is too brite and makes me think my display did not dim as it is supposed to. I am not alone in this as most are complaining about how Apple has implemented AOD.


Anyway I hope we agree to disagree on AOD.