How does the Always-On display feature impact battery consumption on newer iPhone models ?

Based on the research, here are the key findings about how the Always-On display (AOD) feature impacts battery consumption on newer iPhone models:

1. Battery Drain Rate:
   • With AOD enabled and wallpaper displayed: Approximately 0.8% battery drain per hour
   • With AOD enabled but wallpaper disabled: Approximately 0.6% battery drain per hour
   • With AOD disabled: Negligible battery drain (close to 0% per hour)
2. Daily Impact:
   • Over a 24-hour period, AOD can consume about 16-20% of the battery life
   • However, this assumes the AOD is active continuously, which is not typically the case in real-world usage
3. Comparison to Android:
   • The iPhone 14 Pro’s AOD battery drain is comparable to that of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, both reaching 84% battery after 24 hours of AOD use
4. Mitigating Factors:
   • The AOD automatically turns off in various situations:
     • When the phone is face down, in a pocket, or bag
     • During Sleep Focus or Low Power Mode
     • When connected to CarPlay or using Continuity Camera
     • When the user is away from the phone (detected via Apple Watch)
5. User Experience:
   • Despite the additional battery drain, many iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max users report ending the day with 30-40% battery remaining
   • The impact on daily use appears to be less noticeable than the raw numbers might suggest
6. Customization:
   • iOS 16.2 introduced options to disable the wallpaper and notifications in AOD mode, slightly reducing battery drain
7. Overall Battery Life:
   • While AOD does impact battery life, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max still offer good overall battery performance for most users

In conclusion, while the Always-On display does consume additional battery power, its impact is relatively modest in real-world use. The feature’s automatic disabling in various situations helps mitigate excessive drain. For users concerned about battery life, disabling the wallpaper in AOD mode or turning off AOD entirely are viable options, but many find the feature’s benefits outweigh the battery impact.