iPhone 13 always-on display — here’s what it could mean for you

iPhone 13/iPhone 12S concept
(Image credit: Jermaine Smit/LetsGoDigital)

We're less than a week away from the Apple event on September 14, where we expect to hear about the iPhone 13. As we prepare for the event, and the ensuing deluge of coverage, there are a few last minute rumors to chew on over the weekend. One we've heard a few times in the last several months is that the iPhone 13 will finally feature an always-on display.

This is a staple on many Android phones and with Apple going all in on OLED displays, now's the best time to introduce iOS users to the feature. But if you've never seen or used always-on display, you might be left wondering why people are excited about the iPhone 13 supposedly getting it.

Always-on display (AOD) is a minimal part of the screen that remains on even when you lock your phone. While we don't know what Apple might end up doing with it, we can look at how Android handles it for an idea. The biggest part of AOD is displaying the time, but the iOS version could also show calendar events, notifications, weather, or music information. 

You might be wondering if AOD hurts battery life, but the effect on Android is negligible. Since OLED panels can light up (or turn off) individual pixels, AOD only uses the parts of the screen it needs instead of turning the whole thing on. It's essentially a low-power mode. In some anecdotal cases, AOD can actually save on battery life since you don't need to turn on the display to check the time or your notifications.

iPhone 13 always-on display concept

iPhone 13 AOD concept (Image credit: A Better Computer/YouTube)

Having always-on display is more than just a convenience. I have found it to be crucial to staying productive. My phone sits beside my keyboard on my desk, easily reachable and within my line of sight. When I'm using an Android phone, I can quickly see the time (which is often larger than the tiny clock on my MacBook Pro's screen). I also see new notifications that come in, weather updates, my battery percentage, and important calendar reminders. Seeing these things at glance with a quick look helps keep me from picking up my phone and derailing me from progressing on my current task.

I sorely miss AOD when I use the iPhone 12 Pro. It's a small feature, but it's one Apple could easily implement. AOD can be one of those little things that makes a big difference and I really want to see it on an iPhone. If the iPhone 13 does get an always-on display option, it won't be a highlight of the new phone. It won't make as big of a splash as the new processor or camera upgrades, but you might find it a lot more valuable (or least used more often) than you think.

TOPICS
Jordan Palmer
Phones Editor

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over six years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Outside of work, you can find him poring over open-source software and his studies.

Read more
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iPhone 17 just tipped for this Pro feature after years of waiting
Renders of the iphone 17 in teal, green and dark green
iPhone 17 just tipped for the one big upgrade we've been waiting for
Renders of the iphone 17 in teal, green and dark green
iPhone 17 rumors — everything we know so far
iPhone SE 4 renders
iPhone SE 4 rumors paint an exciting picture — and that has me worried
iPhone SE 4 renders
An iPhone SE 4 launch next week sounds like a huge mistake for Apple — here’s why
iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand
iPhone 18 could get the design upgrade we've been waiting years for
Latest in iPhones
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro Max leak claims it’s ready for production — and seems to confirm its new design
iPhone 16e review.
iPhone 16e is facing Bluetooth problems — here's what's going on
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Everything we know so far
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 risks turning Apple Intelligence into the new Siri — and that's not good
A photo of Apple CarPly in use
Apple CarPlay just got a welcome upgrade in iOS 18.4 — what you need to know
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone
Latest in Opinion
Adam Scott and Britt Lower in "Severance."
'Severance' season 2 episode 9 sets the stage for an epic season finale — here's why
Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura in Apple TV Plus' crime drama, 'Dope Thief'
Ridley Scott's new Apple TV Plus crime thriller is one of my top 10 shows of the year so far
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 risks turning Apple Intelligence into the new Siri — and that's not good
Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) , Keats (Chris Pratt) and Dr. Amherst (Ke Huy Quan) in "The Electric State" on Netflix
Netflix’s new sci-fi movie with Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt is now streaming — and it’s an action-packed blockbuster
(L-R) Natasha Lyonne as Rachel, Elizabeth Olsen as Christina and Carrie Coon as Katie in "His Three Daughters" streaming on Netflix in September 2024
I’ve streamed 38 Netflix movies in the last year — here’s the 5 best you’ve (probably) haven’t seen
A woman purchases on the edge of the Plank Firm mattress in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide Sleep Week 2025 deals graphic (left)
I've tried everything to improve my sleep, but hacks and tricks don't work unless you have the right mattress