With iOS 16, Apple will bring a feature to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max that many Android phones have had for countless years. As has now become known, not only new iPhones could benefit from this.
iOS 16 brings always-on display to older iPhones
So far, it has been assumed that the always-on display will only be implemented for new iPhones such as the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max with iOS 16. Technically, however, it would be absolutely no problem to also supply older iPhones with an OLED display. For example, an iPhone 13. A video now shows that this also works with much older iPhones. On an iPhone X, that is iOS 16 Beta 3 Always-On Display working:
It is therefore possible for the software to back to the iPhone X, every OLED iPhone could be equipped with an always-on display can. It is currently unclear whether Apple really wants that. An always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro models would be an additional selling point. That’s why it was only expected to be used there until now. The video proves that there is no technical reason not to bring it to older iPhones.
However, older OLED displays do not have the ability to reduce the refresh rate in the way that the new iPhones can. This can greatly reduce the energy consumption of an always-on display. Here Apple could so only opt for the new generation so as not to greatly reduce the battery life of older iPhones.
What will be implemented with iOS 16:
When will iOS 16 be released?
By September at the latest, when Apple will release iOS 16 in the final version, we will find out whether the always-on display is only intended for the new iPhones, or whether older models will also benefit from it. While iOS 16 is scheduled to be released, there is bad news for iPadOS 16. There are probably delays. We will keep you up to date.