Alway on display s7 ให ม นอย ข างบจ

A feature we're sure to see more of this year is a display that never truly powers off. Let's take a closer look at Samsung's version.

Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.

According to Samsung, the average smartphone owner checks his or her device nearly 150 times a day: A quick press of the power button to view the time here, and double tap not the screen to view notifications there, apparently adds up fast.

Samsung's solution for this obsessive checking and waking our smartphones is through a feature it calls Always-On Display.

As the name implies, Samsung's latest Galaxy devices are equipped with the fancy new feature.

After locking your device, the screen will remain dimly lit. The default setting is to display the current time, with the information moving around on the screen every few seconds. Alerts for missed calls and text messages are also placed on the screen, with a few caveats (more on that in a minute).

The basics

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

The easiest way to familiarize yourself with the feature is to dive into its settings. On your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, open the Settings app, tap on Display and Wallpaper followed by Always On Display.

At the top of the settings screen, you'll find the option to disable the feature altogether.

Select the Content to show from the list, to display a drop-down menu with three options: Clock, Calendar and Image.

Enlarge Image

Examples of Clock, Calendar and Image options for Samsung's Always-On Display.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

If you opted for a clock or calendar, you can then further change the look by tapping on the respective clock or calendar style button. There are a total of eight different clocks, ranging from basic digital and analog clocks to a dual-clock view. Additionally, clock users can set a background image for the clock on the display.

There are two different calendar options, both of which include a digital clock.

Selecting Image turns the feature into a screensaver-like feature you would expect on a computer and not a smartphone. Currently there are three different images included on the S7.

Play around with the various items and background images to find something that works best for you.

Further customization is possible

Samsung's theme store for the Galaxy S7 offers themes that include a custom Always On Display image. Currently, when you open the theme store (Settings > Themes on your S7) the first category are "AOD" themes, which is the acronym for Always-On Demand.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that you can download just the AOD portion of a theme. Instead, you'll need to download and apply the entire theme. Adding to the disappointment is that you can't set an AOD image or clock from one theme while using a different theme.

Notifications

Right now, the only notifications that will appear on the screen seem to be from Samsung's own apps. Missed calls, messages and calendar notifications in particular. Meaning, don't expect to see Gmail or Facebook notifications out of the box, hopefully that's a feature added in a future update.

LG's G5 also offers an always-on display, and it supports all alerts, so one has to think Samsung could as well.

What about battery life?

Part of the magic that makes this feature possible is the type of screen used in the Galaxy S7 (AMOLED) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor. The combination of the two work in tandem to minimize battery usage when the feature is enabled, and should have a minimal impact on overall daily battery life.

How many times a day do you check your smartphone? Dozens? More than a hundred? Whether waiting for an important text message, seeing what calls you missed or just to know the time, most of us examine our phones many, many times during the day. And with new features and apps adding uses to our devices all the time, we are constantly finding new reasons to check our phones even more often.

But the new Always On Display (AOD) feature of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge puts an end to all of that. Now you can glance at your phone at any time and see your latest notifications and other key information immediately without waking your screen.

Convenience and Power Conservation

When activated, the Always On Display constantly shows your favorite information, but in a way that uses very little of the battery—less than one percent per hour, in fact. And, in case the battery goes below five percent, the Always On Display is automatically turned off. Sure, the new Galaxy smartphones feature larger batteries that last longer than ever, but everyone wants to get the most life out of each charge as possible.

Furthermore, sometimes you don’t want to shine the full glow of your phone—like when you are at the movies and you want to see if your friends have sent you a message about where to meet later. Having a subtler way of checking your phone would be a really big help. The Always On screen is clear and easy to see, but keeps the brightness down to a minimum. Now, checking the time, date, battery level of your device, and your most important notifications, such as the number of missed calls and text messages, is incredibly easy, but it can be done subtly.

Customize Your Display

In addition to offering superior convenience, the Always On Display can also be customized from the Settings menu and Quick Settings panel. There are clock modes, calendars and abstract patterns in a variety of styles to suit just about every taste. Select from analogue and digital clock faces, or even choose to display two clocks at once, so you can keep track of the time in different parts of the world. Or, if you prefer a more minimal style, opt to display an artistic abstract image. With so many customization options, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge set themselves apart from other devices. After all, your smartphone should be as unique as you are.

The Always On Display is one more example of how Samsung creates innovations inspired by your life, designed with you in mind. The Galaxy smartphones have long been at the forefront of the industry, and now Samsung has made them even better, redesigned for how you experience life.