How Much Battery Does an Always-On Smartwatch Display Really Use?

What an always-on display actually does

An always-on display keeps the watch face visible at all times, usually at a reduced brightness and refresh rate. A raise-to-wake or tap-to-wake screen stays off until you move your wrist, so it only draws power during the brief moment you look at it. The always-on feature trades that convenience for a continuous drain on the battery.

The cost is not a fixed percentage. It depends on the display technology, the watch face design, the ambient light, and the watch's own power management. For example, an AMOLED panel can turn off black pixels completely, so a watch face with a dark background uses far less power than one with a bright background, as covered in our article on dark watch faces and battery savings.

The main factors that raise the power cost

The most influential factor is the display panel itself. AMOLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens are more power-efficient than older LCDs because each pixel emits its own light, and black pixels are essentially off. Our comparison of LCD vs OLED smartwatch battery explains the difference in more detail.

Brightness is the second major lever. An always-on face that runs at a high brightness level will consume far more energy than one that dims after a few seconds. The ambient light sensor can adjust brightness automatically, but you can also set a lower fixed level. The higher the brightness, the shorter the battery life.

The complexity of the watch face also matters. Faces with many complications, live animations, or second hands that move continuously require the display and processor to work harder. A simple static face with a few numbers will use less power. The impact of watch faces on battery article goes into more depth.

Finally, the refresh rate and the way the watch updates the face are important. Some watches drop to a lower refresh rate in always-on mode, reducing power draw. Devices with a high-refresh-rate display, even at a dimmed state, will consume more. You can often choose a more battery-friendly face that only updates once per minute.

How to estimate the battery drop from published figures

Manufacturers typically list a battery life range, such as "up to 18 hours" or "up to 48 hours", but these numbers are almost always measured without the always-on display enabled. To estimate the impact, check the spec sheet or user guide for a separate figure that mentions always-on mode, if one is provided.

If a number is not available, you can make a rough estimate by considering the ratio of the time the display is on. A raise-to-wake watch might light up a few minutes per hour, while an always-on watch is lit the entire hour. However, the always-on face runs at a lower brightness and refresh rate, so the per-minute power is smaller. As a rule of thumb, you might expect a reduction of one-quarter to one-third of the total battery life, but this varies widely.

A more accurate way is to test the watch yourself. For a day, leave the always-on display off and note the battery level at the end of the day. The next day, turn it on and keep all other settings identical. The difference, divided by the total capacity, gives you the display's share. This method avoids guessing and gives a number you can trust for your own usage pattern.

Tips to reduce the battery cost

If you want to keep the always-on display but limit its drain, start by choosing a dark watch face with a black background. On an AMOLED panel, black pixels are effectively off, which can cut the display power drastically. Use a face that updates infrequently, such as one that only shows the time and date without animated complications.

Lower the brightness in the display settings. The auto-brightness feature can help, but you can also set a manual level that is still readable in your typical environment. Our article on auto-brightness sensors explains how that feature works.

Turn off features you do not need while the display is always on. For example, you can disable the second hand or the heart-rate sensor that updates every second. Some watches let you set a timeout after which the face dims further or goes to a minimal mode. Use those options to stretch battery life.

Consider using the raise-to-wake gesture instead of always-on during most of the day, and then activate always-on only for specific activities like a workout or when you need to glance at the time frequently. This gives you the best of both worlds. You can also enable a battery saver or low-power mode that automatically disables the always-on display when the battery level gets low.

What to look for when buying a smartwatch

When shopping, pay attention to the display technology in the specifications. AMOLED watches are generally more efficient for always-on use than LCD models. Also look for a battery capacity figure in milliampere-hours (mAh) and a stated battery life that specifically mentions always-on mode. The more transparent the maker is, the easier it is to predict real-world performance.

If battery life is your priority, you might consider a hybrid smartwatch or a model with a larger battery. The guides to budget smartwatches and affordable smartwatches list models that often emphasize battery endurance. For premium options, the best Garmin smartwatches and best Apple smartwatches provide detailed battery comparisons.

Keep in mind that the always-on display is a software feature. Make sure the watch you choose has a dedicated setting to turn it on or off, and that the watch face you like works well in a dimmed state. Some watches offer a "low power always-on" mode that reduces the refresh rate and disables nonessential updates, which can significantly lower the battery drain without sacrificing visibility.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does an always-on display double the battery drain?

No, it does not double the drain. The display is one of the biggest power consumers, but an always-on face runs at reduced brightness and refresh rate, so the per-minute cost is lower than when the screen is fully active. The total impact is typically far less than double, often a 20% to 30% reduction in battery life, depending on the watch.

Is an always-on display more expensive on an LCD smartwatch?

Yes, generally. LCD panels require a backlight that stays on all the time, which uses more power even when showing a black screen. AMOLED panels can turn off individual pixels, so a dark watch face on an AMOLED display consumes very little power. For LCD watches, the always-on feature tends to have a larger battery penalty.

Can I make an always-on display consume less battery?

Yes. Use a dark watch face with a black background, lower the brightness, disable animations and frequently updating complications, and turn off features like the second hand. Also, check if your watch has a low-power always-on mode that reduces the refresh rate. These steps can dramatically reduce power use.

Should I turn off the always-on display to save battery?

If battery life is crucial for you, turning it off and using raise-to-wake will extend the runtime considerably. However, many users find the convenience of seeing the time without moving their wrist worth a moderate battery hit. You can also schedule always-on only during certain hours or when you need it.

Why do manufacturers not give a clear number for always-on battery life?

Battery life depends on too many variables: brightness, watch face design, ambient light, and background apps. A single number would be misleading. Manufacturers often list a range or assume a default setup without always-on. The most reliable way is to measure on your own watch with your typical usage.