Hot topics

Does the LG G5's 'Always On' display really matter?

LG G4 1 29
© nextpit

LG made quite a thing out of the fact that its new LG G5 will have an 'Always On' display, taking to Facebook to reveal the news. As you might guess from its name, an Always On display keeps the screen on constantly in order to display the time, date and notifications. But does it really matter that the G5 has this feature? Read on for our analysis. 

lg g5 alwayson
The LG G5 features a display that is always on. / © LG

Everything at a glance

The image above, originally obtained by Kris Carlon of Android Authority, shows that the LG G5 will have a display that is always on. The main selling point of the Always On screen is that it enables you to quickly check the time and date, plus notification information, without having to activate your phone.

Seeing the date and time is useful enough, but we're not so convinced about the notifications. You still have to go into the phone to respond to that notification, so the Always On display won't save a lot of time there. We'll have to wait until we get our hands on the G5 to test the feature fully before we make up our minds. 

An Always On display might also be redundant if you already have a smartwatch, because a smartwatch can display all the same information without you needing to look at your phone. 

LG G4 1 Teaser
The LG G5 will have an Always On display, a change from the G4. / © ANDROIDPIT

A drain on battery

The G5 is rumored to have a similar LCD display to that used in the LG V10. But powering an Always On display could require considerable power, which might have a negative impact on the LG G5's battery life. Even if LG manages to minimize the power used by the Always On screen, it will be interesting to see how it compares to standard 'generally off' displays. 

Could the LG G5 end up being a power-hungry phone with shorter battery life than the LG G4, and if so, would that be an acceptable trade-off for an Always On display? We'll know more about it after LG's MWC press conference and will fill you in on all the details as they arrive.

Does Always On display in the LG G5 really matter? Let us know what you think in the comments. 

Top Samsung Galaxy Watches: Choosing Your Best Fit

  2023 models 2023 models 2022 models 2022 models 2021 models 2021 models
Product
Image Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Product Image Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Product Image Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Not yet tested
Not yet tested
Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Not yet tested
Offers*
Go to comment (8)
Cory Schmidt

Cory Schmidt
Editor

A Minnesota native, Cory's background is in writing and editing. He received his BA from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and his MA from the University of Kansas. He joined the Android community in 2009 and is excited to be contributing at AndroidPIT.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
8 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • Nipun Goyal 3
    Nipun Goyal Feb 13, 2016 Link to comment

    Pretty stupid idea with LCD display

    Big Alan


  • William K. 10
    William K. Feb 11, 2016 Link to comment

    If it is using a LCD display then this is a terrible thing to have. Not only will it kill the battery, it is a fairly useless feature even without a smartwatch. I don't see the point of them adding this.

    Big AlanScott Adam Gordon


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt Feb 16, 2016 Link to comment

      Hi William, thanks for your comment.
      I think the point probably is to get us excited about their new feature, but I am not too excited if this is all they have to offer. Maybe some more leaks will come out in the next couple of days that give us more.

      William K.


      • William K. 10
        William K. Feb 16, 2016 Link to comment

        Personally, this does nothing to get me excited or even curious about it. Just have no care for "always-on" displays. And if this is all they have to offer, I would be extremely disappointed (not that I was planning on getting this phone anyways).


  • 49
    storm Feb 11, 2016 Link to comment

    Pointless "feature".

    Big Alan


  • hassan bouchta 10
    hassan bouchta Feb 11, 2016 Link to comment

    Not for me i have a watch to see the time and a ringtone to tell me that the phone is ringing so i dont neeed a always on screen not the feature thats gonna make me buy a phone

    Big Alan


    • Cory Schmidt 19
      Cory Schmidt Feb 16, 2016 Link to comment

      Thank you for your input, Hassan. I agree and the leaks aren't making me more excited. I will wait to see it in the flesh first :)


  • Alex Garcia 12
    Alex Garcia Feb 10, 2016 Link to comment

    a led notification light works just as good

    McLaren F1P1Dan C.

Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing