Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Always-on displays have been around for the best part of the decade. Improvements to battery life and display technology have made the feature almost indispensable to the modern smartphone user. But how many of you actually switch on the feature?
In this poll, we asked Android Authority readers this question. Here’s what they told us.
Do you use your phone’s always-on display feature?
Results
This fiercely popular poll garnered more than 8,000 votes. Although it was reasonably close, there is one clear winner.
Over 59% of AA readers do use their smartphones’ always-on display feature. For these users, it’s likely the benefits of readily available information outweigh the potential battery drawbacks.
Just short of 41% of readers don’t use the feature, though. In vote terms, that’s more than 3,600 readers. Interestingly, some of these readers’ implement tap to wake instead or disable the feature to save battery. Either way, opinions on this one are varied. Read some user comments below.
Here’s what you told us
- space dad: I miss LED notifications.
- Varusal: I don’t use AOD because I can just tap on the Display.
- AirRic: Of course, it’s one of Android’s best features, and one of the few things left keeping me from switching to an IPhone. It’s so nice to look over and see the time/notifications in the middle of the night without having to blind myself by turning on the screen. Also nice to look down at a table to see which types of notifications I have to determine if it’s worth opening my phone.
- Lex1020: I’ve used the AoD since it was first implemented in the old Droid. It’s a fantastic feature, especially as notifications have gotten more numerous. I don’t have to turn my screen all the way on just to see that “stupid game” sent me a notification.
- The One: I have to use AOD since Google took away the notification LED 2-3 years ago. Otherwise, I would never use it. I hate having text constantly displayed on my phone. It’s distracting. Thankfully, I used Tasker to only turn on the AOD when I miss a notification.
- DBS: I never liked it when Nokia invented it over a decade ago, and I still don’t like them. They’re mostly a pointless drain on the battery that’ll force me to still pick up the phone anyway or read the screen…at which point I might as well just unlock it.
- Tristan Lofgren: I don’t use it, because then my phone screen is just partially on while my phone is in my pocket. Why would I need it on while I’m not looking at it? If I get a notification, I’ll feel a vibration. Otherwise I can turn in my phone the old-fashioned way.
- Joe Black: I do not use it. I find it distracting, and I am not a fan of battery usage.
- roaduardo: If I’m not wearing a smartwatch it’s essential, IMO.
- TheOracle: Not anymore. It’s starting to have more of an effect on the battery as my phone gets older.
That’s it for this poll. Thanks for your votes and comments. If you have any further thoughts about always-on displays or the results, be sure to drop them down below.
