What is always-on display?

The short answer

Always-on display (AOD) is a feature that keeps a dimmed version of your lock screen visible at all times, so you can see the time, date, and notifications without waking your phone.

How it works

When your phone is “off,” the screen is not truly off with AOD enabled. Instead, it shows a stripped-down, dimmed version of your lock screen using minimal power.

Most phones with OLED or AMOLED screens can do this efficiently because those displays only light up the individual pixels that are needed. The black areas of the screen use virtually no power, so only the small bits showing the clock and icons consume energy.

What it typically shows

• Time and date
• Battery level
• Notification icons from messages, calls, or apps
• Music controls if something is playing
• Sometimes a custom wallpaper or photo (on newer models)

Does it drain your battery?

Yes, but not as much as you might expect. On most modern phones, always-on display uses roughly 1 to 2 percent of battery per hour. Over a full day, that could add up to around 10 to 15 percent.

If battery life is a concern, most phones let you:

• Schedule AOD to turn on only during certain hours
• Set it to tap-to-show so it only appears when you tap the screen
• Turn it off entirely in your display settings

Which devices have it

• Samsung Galaxy phones — one of the first to offer it
• Google Pixel phones
• iPhones 14 Pro and later
• Many OnePlus, Xiaomi, and other Android phones

Should you use it?

Always-on display is worth it if you check your phone frequently just to see the time or notifications. It saves you from pressing the power button dozens of times a day.

If you are someone who already keeps a watch or clock nearby, or you are trying to squeeze every bit of battery life out of your phone, turning it off is a perfectly fine choice.