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Does Always-On Display Cause Screen Burn-In on iPhone?

Always-On display does not make iPhone burn-in inevitable. Apple describes burn-in as a risk in extreme OLED use and recommends practical ways to reduce it.

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It can contribute to OLED image aging, but turning on Always-On display does not mean your iPhone will inevitably develop burn-in. Apple says burn-in is associated with more extreme use, such as showing the same high-contrast image continuously at high brightness for a prolonged period. Apple does not publish a burn-in rate or a time-to-burn-in estimate specifically for Always-On display.

What Always-On display shows—and when it switches off

On supported iPhones, Always-On display keeps a dimmed version of the Lock Screen visible while the phone is locked. Depending on your settings, it can show the time and date, notifications, widgets, and wallpaper. You can choose what appears or turn the feature off at Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display. Apple explains these controls in Keep the iPhone display on longer.

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The display does not stay lit in every circumstance. Apple says it turns off when the iPhone is face down or its view is obstructed, when it is not near a paired Apple Watch, during a CarPlay session or Continuity Camera use, while Low Power Mode or Sleep Focus is active, and at the user’s usual bedtime. Apple also says the display can dim when locked or idle and operate at a refresh rate as low as 1 Hz. These behaviors limit when the screen is visibly on; they are not a promise that OLED aging is eliminated.

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Burn-in and temporary image persistence are different

Apple describes image persistence as a faint remnant of an image that remains visible after the screen changes. It says temporary persistence disappears after a few minutes of normal use. Burn-in, by contrast, is associated with more extreme conditions, including prolonged, continuous display of the same high-contrast image at high brightness. Apple notes that OLED displays can also show slight visual changes after extended long-term use.

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Apple’s guidance does not give a diagnostic test for an individual iPhone. A faint afterimage that fades after normal use fits Apple’s description of temporary persistence; a persistent display change cannot be identified with certainty from this guidance alone.

What Apple recommends to reduce the risk

Apple’s advice is to reduce prolonged exposure to bright, static content and keep the display settings and software current. Its support page states: “Avoid displaying static images at maximum brightness for long periods of time.” The same page recommends these steps:

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  • Update the iPhone to the latest iOS version.
  • Use Auto-Brightness.
  • Set a shorter Auto-Lock period so the display turns off sooner when it is not in use.
  • If an app keeps the screen on while you are not actively using the iPhone, temporarily lower brightness in Control Center.

Apple says Super Retina and Super Retina XDR displays use algorithms that monitor individual-pixel usage and produce calibration data for adjusting pixel brightness. Apple says this helps reduce the visual effects of burn-in; it is mitigation, not a guarantee against it. See About the Super Retina display and Super Retina XDR display on your iPhone.

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Keep Always-On display on, customize it, or turn it off?

Always-On display is designed for glanceable Lock Screen information. If you value that convenience, Apple’s guidance supports using the feature while following its brightness and screen-time recommendations; it does not say ordinary use will inevitably cause burn-in. If you prefer to minimize display-on time or are uncomfortable with the possibility of long-term OLED aging, you can hide wallpaper or notifications, or disable Always-On display entirely in its settings. Apple provides no quantitative comparison of burn-in risk between these choices.

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Which iPhones have Always-On display?

Apple’s current support page lists Always-On display as on by default for iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. The page says it is off by default on iPhone Air. Availability and default settings can change with new models; consult Apple’s brightness and colour temperature guide for the current list.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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