Here’s how the iPhone 14’s always-on display will outperform all Android phones

It’s been rumored for some time now that the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro this fall will finally see Apple’s smartphone lineup get the screen functionality that’s always been available on Android for years. But a find in iOS 16 wallpapers means we now know how this feature will behave – and it looks like Apple is taking it up a notch.

After going through the internal files of the fourth beta version of iOS 16, 9to5Mac was able to recreate the way wallpapers will switch from normal mode to “Sleep” mode on the iPhone 14 Pro. While Android devices with always-on screens tend to completely disable wallpapers in their idle version and display a black background, the 14 Pro will do something a little more fun, and a whole lot more Apple.

As with the many faces available on the Apple Watch (which gained permanent functionality with the launch of the Series 5 in 2019), it looks like Apple will painstakingly create custom sleep versions of each wallpaper with colors muted and lower brightness, so they consume less power. There will also be less animation and less on-screen elements: just the clock and some widgets, perhaps.

Of course, the bright colors and icons of your usual lock or home screen will return the moment you tap the screen or press the power button, just like they do on the Apple Watch.

Although these behaviors were discovered in iOS 16, it should be remembered that they will not be available for the many current devices that will be able to install this operating system. The always-on display feature is one of many new features that will be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max; even the new iPhone 14 will be excluded.

For the latest rumors on the launch this fall, check out our regularly updated iPhone 14 guide. And if you can’t wait until September, browse our guide to the best iPhone deals and make sure you’re getting the lowest possible price on the current range.