Google has made modest improvements to the Pixel 10 lineup’s display this year. The phones can now hit a higher HDR and peak brightness, with the Pixel 10 Pro and its XL sibling hitting a peak of 3300 nits. But there’s seemingly another Always on Display-related improvement that Google did not talk about during its Made by Google event on August 20.
Apple added Always-on Display support with the 2022 iPhone 14 Pro. While late to the party, Apple’s implementation had one major advantage: it allowed users to display the wallpaper in a dimly lit state.
In comparison, Google’s AOD takes a simpler route, skipping the wallpaper entirely and showing only the time, date, weather, and notifications on a black background. There’s no difference in the information shown; it’s just that Apple’s implementation looks prettier.
With the Pixel 10, Google appears to be copying Apple’s AOD style by showing a blurred version of the wallpaper in the background. The company didn’t highlight this feature at the launch, and the spec sheet makes no mention of it either. However, a report from May this year hinted at Google possibly working on such an improvement for the Always-on Display as part of Android 16.
It’s unclear if this AOD improvement will make its way to the Pixel 9 lineup or remain exclusive to the Pixel 10. The feature likely won’t make it to the regular Pixel 10 either, since its display lacks an LTPO panel and can only adjust its refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz. So, the battery life hit would be too big to justify the feature.
Even on the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, unless Google is using a newer OLED panel, a blurred wallpaper on the AOD can negatively affect battery life.
Google finally catches up to the competition
Many flagship Android phones already offer a similar feature for their AOD screens.
The AOD upgrade on the Pixel 10 should pair nicely with Android 16’s Live Updates. The latter displays real-time info from food delivery and ride-hailing apps on the lock screen and notification shade, making it easier to track your orders and rides at a glance. When tapped, a slick transition should take users from the AOD to the lock screen.
Hopefully, like on the iPhone, Google will also provide an option to turn off the blurred wallpaper on the AOD.
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