The iPhone 14 Pro’s most flawed feature is about to get better
Always on, but not that on
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Along with the Dynamic Island and a 48MP camera, one of the biggest new features offered by theiPhone 14 ProandiPhone 14 Pro Maxwas an always-on display, yetApple’s implementation of the feature hasproved controversial. Soon though, there could be a solution for those who want an always-on display, but not in the way Apple initially offered it.
Apple’s current always-on display implementation basically just dims the lock screen – but it’s still in color, and it still shows everything, which isn’t to everyone’s tastes. We’ll get more into why that is further down, but the big news is that the iOS 16.2 beta 3 includes an option to customize the always-on display.
Now, rather than simply having it on or off, there are two additional toggles – one to choose whether or not to show the wallpaper, and one that lets you choose whether or not to show notifications.
If you disable both of those, then – as spotted by9to5Mac– the always-on display will just show the time and your lock screen widgets against a black background, making for an appearance that’s much more like the always-on displays found on Android phones. It’s also the sort of implementation that those who are unhappy with the current version have been crying out for.
Looks nice, but I’ll stick with the fun and colorful option. https://t.co/dSmgX9P9C9 pic.twitter.com/SRIXMpzub8November 15, 2022
You can see how this looks in the tweet above, from Chance Miller, the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac. Of course, some people actually like Apple’s current implementation, but the version found in this beta lets you have either version, so no one is going to miss out.
That said, as with any beta software there’s always the caveat that this feature might not make it to the final release, but we’d think it’s likely to – and with iOS 16.2 probably rolling out before the end of the year, we shouldn’t have long to wait.
Analysis: too much, too bright, and too much battery drain
The issues people have with Apple’s current version of an always-on display are numerous, but one of the main problems is that at a glance, or out of the corner of your eye, it can look like the screen is on – which is a tell-tale sign that a new notification has arrived and might need attention.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
That, of course, is annoying, and a screen filled with notifications and other data – as the always-on display often can be – is also more than some people feel they need from the feature.
Plus, by showing the full lock screen, even dimmed, Apple’s always-on display can be a noticeable drain on the battery. Whether the new version in the iOS 16.2 beta is less battery-hungry remains to be seen, but it seems likely.
So, along with the recent launch ofApple’s Emergency SOS feature, this update should make the day-to-day experience of using thebest iPhoneseven better.
James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.
You can try new Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT in Siri today with launch of new public betas
5 must-have iPhone apps
Lego will let you build Sir Ernest Shackleton’s iconic lost ship, the Endurance, in its next Icons set
