Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 Pro will feature an always-on display mode just like the Apple Watch, a new report claims.
According to an Apple tipster, the new iPhone will be able to display a small amount of ‘quickly glanceable’ information before its screen has been unlocked.
Such a feature would be similar to Android phones that always show basic information – like time and battery level – on a dark screen while conserving power.
The feature is expected to be part of iOS 16, Apple’s next major mobile operating system, which is expected to be announced at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference next week.
iOS 16 will power the new iPhone 14, which is expected to be revealed by the tech giant this autumn.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 Pro will feature an always-on display mode just like Apple Watch, a new report claims. Pictured is the iPhone 11 Pro
The news comes from Apple tipster Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, writing in the latest instalment of his ‘Power On’ newsletter.
‘I’m told iOS 16 builds in future support for an always-on lock screen, something Apple was originally planning for last year’s iPhone 13,’ Gurman says in the latest newsletter.
‘This would allow the iPhone to turn down the frame rate significantly on the lock screen and display quickly glanceable information – similar to newer Apple Watches.’
Like the Apple Watch, iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max may use low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) panels, which are able to conserve energy with the display on and stop the battery from draining too much power.
According to Apple, always-on is turned on by default on Apple Watch Series 5 and later, except for Apple Watch SE.
‘In this mode, the time will always be visible, along with the watch face or your most recent active app,’ the firm says.
Gurman did predict last year that the iPhone 13 would have an always-on display – but this turned out to be incorrect.
It may be that the tech giant has needed extra time to develop a smartphone with LTPO panels that fix the issue of battery drain.
According to Apple, always-on is turned on by default on Apple Watch Series 5 (pictured) and later, except for Apple Watch SE
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 14, its next flagship phone, in September 2022 (file photo)
iOS 16, which is codenamed ‘Sydney’ by the tech giant, is described as a ‘fairly significant upgrade’ by Gurman.
‘It will be chock full of changes across the operating system, including updates to notifications, iPad multitasking, and the Messages and Health apps,’ he says.
Much like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 is expected to be released in four different variations – a standard model, a Mini, Pro and the Pro Max.
The always-on feature will be included on the two most expensive iPhone 14 models – Phone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max – but not the cheaper models, Gurman claims.
iOS 16 is expected to be unveiled at Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which runs from June 6-10.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 is expected to be unveiled on September 13, according to another report from Apple-focused site iDropNews.
While Apple is yet to confirm or deny the leak, the date would fit in well with previous iPhone launches, which usually happen on a Tuesday in mid-September.
According to yet another report, cameras on the most expensive iPhone 14 models will stick out like never before, in order to house a 48-megapixel Wide camera.
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max – the most expensive of the iPhone 14 models likely due this autumn – will have a square camera bump on the rear measuring 1.44-inch by 1.5 inch (36.73mm by 38.21mm), according to leaked specs
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will have a square camera bump on the rear measuring 1.44-inch by 1.5 inch (36.73mm by 38.21mm), according to leaked specs – slightly larger than on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.
The 48MP camera system will allow for 8K video recording, offering a significant upgrade 4K video recording capabilities.
Meanwhile, rumours are also rife about the ‘iPhone 15’, even though it won’t be released until 2023.