Apple's upcoming iPhone 14 Pro might have an always-on display, according to a well-known tipster. Multiple reports over the past several months have confirmed that Apple will launch four models as part of its next-gen iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will be the lower-end offerings, the two 'Pro' models are rumored to offer faster hardware and a newer design language.
A slew of leaks in recent months have revealed quite a bit of information about the iPhone 14-series phones, including their design, hardware, and other details. Most of the rumors claim that the big upgrades, including the new notch-less design, the A16 processor, and higher-resolution cameras, will be limited to the Pro models. As for the vanilla iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max, they will reportedly retain the design language of their predecessors and use older components from last year's iPhone 13.
Ross Young, noted tipster and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), has said that he is expecting the refresh rates of the iPhone 14 Pro display panels to go as low as 1Hz. Answering a question from a fellow Twitter user about whether the 'Pro' models in the iPhone 14-series will ship with variable refresh rates that go down to 1Hz, Young said: "Can’t confirm, but expecting it." If it does happen, there's a good chance that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will support always-on displays – a feature that has long been rumored for iPhones but is yet to materialize. The super-low refresh rates will also help extend battery life, which would be another added advantage if Apple decides to extend the variable refresh rate to 1Hz in its next-gen iPhones.
Always-On Display For The Pro Models
It is worth noting that the ProMotion displays in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max offer variable refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz. Meanwhile, the refresh rates on many Android phones that support always-on displays can go down to as low as 1Hz. If the ProMotion technology in the upcoming devices supports a 1Hz refresh rate, it will very likely enable an always-on display, making the iPhone 14-series the first set of iPhones to get the new feature.
At this stage, there's no confirmation or even leaks from credible sources that the iPhone 14 lineup will get an always-on display. What's more, even if the new feature does make its way to the next-gen iPhones, it will likely only be available in the two Pro models, meaning the vanilla iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will have to make do with regular display panels without the feature. Still, the introduction of always-on displays in the next-gen iPhones will be a welcome change, and one that will be yet another way to differentiate the regular iPhone 14 models from the Pro variants.
Source: Ross Young/Twitter