The iPhone 14 Pro Gets a Big, New Feature: An Always-On Display

This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Apple’s most popular publishes.

If you plan to buy the new iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, you can finally cross one sought-after feature off your wishlist: the always-on display. An always-on screen that stays illuminated after the initial timeout calls is new to the iPhone, but is a technology that’s been on Android phones for years.

Apple announced the new iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max at its “Far Out” event on Wednesday. During the event, Apple launched a slew of spanking new products, too, including the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch 8 and AirPods Pro 2. It also said iOS 16 will originate on Sept. 12.

We’ll explain what iPhone 14’s version of the always-on expose feature is and how it will work. For more Apple news, here’s how the new Dynamic Island superb redesign works in iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, and here’s a recap of every new tying Apple announced.

How does the always-on note work on iPhone?

Normally when you lock your iPhone, the lock screen shuts off and you either have to dumb a button, raise your phone or tap your cover to make it active again. With an always-on note, your lock screen doesn’t turn off — it leftovers dim — so you can easily glance at the time, widgets and live behaviors without touching your phone.

For instance, when you get a text communication, you generally only have a few seconds to look it over afore your iPhone screen turns off. With an always-on note, you have unlimited time to view the message.

When you turn the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max face down on a surface or put it in your pocket, the screen will darken as a way to save on battery life, precise you won’t need to “glance” at the screen when it’s in a pocket or upside down on a table.

Many Apple Watch models already have this feature integrated.

Apple event: Full coverage

Will this run my iPhone battery life down faster?

Apple said the always-on note can operate at a refresh rate as low as 1Hz (i.e. once per second) with a new low-power mode. It also uses multiple co-processors in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max chips to refresh the note using minimal power. 

Can I turn off the always-on note feature?

Apple didn’t say whether or not this feature would be optional, but it’s likely you’ll be able to turn it off in your settings. Apple Watch users are able to turn off always-on note in the Display & Brightness setting, so that’s probable where you’d turn it off on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

For more seek information from about Apple’s newest products, here are all the iPhone 14 colors you can buy, all about the iPhone 14 camera updates and all the best iOS 16 features coming your way.