While some may not be fans of the iPhone's Always On Display, Apple has managed to make it both power-efficient and more visually appealing compared to the monochromatic options on many Android devices. It took Apple quite a while to introduce always-on display technology to the iPhone, with it finally making its debut in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro lineup. However, Apple likely took the time to develop a more advanced version that would outshine its competitors. From the beginning, Apple's Always On Display showcased a dimmed version of the lock screen in full color, complete with wallpaper, dynamic widgets, and more. The company even implemented color filters to ensure the wallpaper looks good even at lower brightness levels. Apple also included smart features to save power and enhance privacy. For instance, the display automatically turns off when the iPhone is face down or in a pocket, and if you have an Apple Watch, it goes dark when you move away. Expanding the Always On Display For years, the Always On Display was exclusive to the iPhone Pro models. However, Apple surprised consumers by bringing the same 120 Hz ProMotion display technology, along with the Always On Display, to the base iPhone 17 this year. By making this feature available on the standard iPhone model, Apple is introducing a whole new group of users to the Always On Display experience. Nevertheless, iOS 26 has altered how wallpapers appear on the Always On Display, which some may perceive as a step back. Over time, Apple has added various settings to allow users to customize the Always On Display. You have the option to disable it completely, or turn off the wallpaper and notifications for a more classic monochrome look. Prior to iOS 26, users could only disable the wallpaper, resulting in a black background behind the time and widgets. If the wallpaper was enabled, it appeared in full resolution but dimmed. With iOS 26, Apple introduced a new feature that blurs the wallpaper, presumably to enhance visibility of the clock and other foreground elements like widgets. However, this also makes lock screen photos unrecognizable. Removing Wallpaper Blur in Always-On Mode Although this feature is enabled by default when setting up a new iPhone, it may not be activated for users who upgraded to iOS 26 on an iPhone with an Always On Display. However, reports suggest that new iPhone 17 users are seeing it enabled by default, even those who transferred data from older models. The good news is that disabling this setting is simple. Here's how: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Select Display & Brightness. Scroll down and choose Always On Display. Toggle off Blur Wallpaper Photo. You can also adjust other settings like turning off the wallpaper or the Always On Display entirely, choosing whether to display notifications, and enabling the blurring feature for a unique look that complements abstract wallpapers. It's unclear why some iPhones have this feature enabled by default while others don't, but it seems to appear automatically when transitioning to an Always On-equipped iPhone for the first time after updating to iOS 26. Regardless, it's another example of Apple refining the iPhone experience, whether you prefer a sharp or softly blurred lock screen.
