iPhone 14 Pro may have 1Hz refresh mode for always-on display

Iphone 14 Dual Hole Concept
Iphone 14 Dual Hole Concept (Image credit: Ian Zelbo)

What you need to know

  • Apple's iPhone 14 Pro will likely adopt the same 120Hz display as the iPhone 13 Pro.
  • New insight claims Apple could add a 1Hz refresh rate mode.
  • This could save battery and pave the way for an always-on display.

New insight claims the iPhone 14 Pro could have a 1Hz refresh rate mode on its OLED display, paving the way for battery saving and an always-on display.

In response to a report on the current smartphone market, DSCC's Ross Young was asked:

Can you confirm the iPhone 14 Pros will drop down to 1 hz? 10hz of 13 Pros was good enough for Always-on, so dropping further must be sign of Always-on, finally, maybe?

To this Young replied, "can't confirm, but expecting it." The innovation could mean the first always-on display for Apple's next best iPhone, the iPhone 14. Apple's always-on display is currently reserved for Apple Watch devices like the Apple Watch Series 7, allowing the screen to drop to an ultra-low refresh rate mode to save battery and provide the always-on functionality that has proven to be one of the biggest upgrades to Apple Watch in recent years.

While Young noted he can't confirm the feature, his expectation holds weight given his excellent knowledge of the display supply chain and relevant technologies. Where Young has committed to leaking plans about Apple he almost never misses and has a 92.9% accuracy rating according to Apple Track.

Apple's iPhone 14 is expected to feature a new hole-punch notch arrangement on the Pro models, which are also expected to get a new A-series processor. Other upgrades possibly on the cards include a new 48MP camera as Apple seeks to build on the success of the iPhone 13.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9