Always On Display on Smartwatches: Benefits and Battery Tradeoffs
Short answer: An always on display (AOD) keeps the watch face visible at all times, so you can glance at the time or your stats without raising your wrist or tapping the screen. It works by using an OLED panel, which can light up individual pixels while leaving the rest of the screen dark. The main tradeoff is battery life: AOD can shorten the time between charges, though the exact impact depends on the watch, the face, and how the display handles static content.
What is an always on display (AOD)?
An always on display (AOD) is a smartwatch feature that keeps the screen active at all times, showing the time, date, and other selected information without requiring you to raise your wrist, press a button, or tap the display. Instead of turning off completely when you lower your arm, the watch switches to a low-power state that continues to show a simplified version of the watch face.
AOD is not the same as the normal screen you see when you interact with the watch. In AOD mode, the watch typically dims the background, removes bright colors, and shows only the essential elements, such as the hands, numbers, or a few complications. This is why the screen looks different when your wrist is down compared to when you look at it directly.
How AOD works with OLED panels
Most modern smartwatches use OLED (organic light emitting diode) panels. In an OLED display, each pixel produces its own light and can be turned on or off independently. This is different from older LCD screens that require a backlight behind the whole display. Because of this, an OLED panel can show a tiny number of lit pixels, such as the outline of a watch hand, while the rest of the screen stays completely black.
An AOD takes advantage of this property. When the watch is not being actively used, the processor tells the display to render a static image with a reduced refresh rate, often as low as one frame per second or less. The display driver still keeps the lit pixels active, but because most of the screen is off, the amount of power used is far lower than when the full screen shows a bright watch face.
The result is a screen you can read without any gesture or button press. On the other hand, an AOD requires the display to remain partially active at all times, so it cannot reach the near zero power consumption of a screen that is completely off.
How much battery does AOD use?
The exact battery impact of an always on display varies by model, screen size, brightness, and the watch face you choose. There is no single percentage that applies to all smartwatches, but it is fair to say that AOD uses more power than having the screen turn off between glances. The extra draw is continuous, so it affects the total battery life over a full day or multiple days.
Some platforms and watch face designs are more efficient than others. For example, a watch face with a black background and thin, white hands may draw less power than a face with a bright, colorful background. The display driver also plays a role; newer panels are built to handle low refresh rates more efficiently. However, the core tradeoff remains: you trade some battery life for the convenience of always seeing the time.
If you mostly check your watch indoors or in places where you can charge it daily, the convenience may outweigh the battery cost. If you are a long-distance runner or a traveler who needs the watch to last several days, you may want to keep the screen off between interactions. Many smartwatches let you schedule AOD or set it to turn off automatically at night, which can reduce the impact.
Choosing AOD settings for your needs
When you set up a smartwatch, you can usually choose between three display behaviors: screen always on, screen on when you raise your wrist, or screen on when you tap. If you are not sure which to pick, start with the raise-to-wake option and try AOD for a few days. You can then see if the convenience is worth the extra charging frequency.
For work or social situations where you need to check the time discreetly, AOD is helpful. For exercise, a bright full screen may be more useful than an AOD, because you can read the display while moving. Many watches let you switch modes per activity, so you can have AOD off during a long hike and turn it on for a meeting.
If you prefer a watch with a long battery life, you can disable AOD and rely on the raise to wake gesture. On Wear OS watches, you can find this option in the display settings, and on watchOS watches, you can adjust the always on setting in the dedicated display menu. The exact steps vary, so check the user manual for your specific model.
| Mode | How it works | Battery impact |
|---|---|---|
| Always on (AOD) | Screen stays visible at all times | Higher, continuous draw |
| Raise to wake | Screen turns on when you lift your wrist | Low, only when active |
| Tap to wake | Screen turns on when you tap or press a button | Lowest, but requires a tap |
When to disable the always on display
AOD is a convenience, but it is not always the best choice. If you rely on your smartwatch for multi-day battery life, if you often work outdoors and need maximum battery, or if you simply prefer a display that is completely dark when you are not looking at it, you can turn AOD off.
In low light conditions, an AOD screen can also be a distraction, especially in a bedroom. Most watches include a bedtime mode that disables AOD and notifications during sleep. If you use your watch for sleep tracking, you should take advantage of this feature to avoid unnecessary battery drain while you sleep.
What to pick for your use
| If you | Pick | Buying guide |
|---|---|---|
| You check the time often and value glanceability | A watch with an always on OLED display | Best Wear OS Smartwatches in 2026: 14 Picks Compared on Specs |
| You want a long battery life over convenience | A watch with a raise-to-wake display and a longer battery rating | Best Smartwatches Under $200 in 2026: 14 Picks Compared on Specs |
| You exercise daily and need to read stats on the move | A watch with a bright screen and an AOD mode you can toggle | Best GPS Smartwatches in 2026: 15 Picks Compared on Specs |
| You prefer a minimal and distraction free screen | A watch that lets you fully disable AOD | Best Apple Smartwatches in 2026: 6 Picks |
Questions
Does every smartwatch have an always on display?
No. AOD is a feature that depends on the display technology and the operating system. OLED panels make it practical, but older or budget watches with LCD screens may only offer a timeout of a few seconds. Check the specifications of the watch you are considering.
Why does AOD look different from the normal watch face?
In AOD mode, the watch reduces the amount of lit pixels and often removes bright colors to save power. The display shows only the essential elements, so the hands or numbers appear but the background stays dark.
Does AOD affect the OLED panel's lifespan?
Persistent static elements on an OLED screen can, over a long period, cause image retention or burn in, where faint outlines remain visible. Modern watches mitigate this by shifting the position of elements slightly, but it is still a good idea to avoid overly bright, static faces in AOD mode over the life of the watch.
Can I schedule the always on display to turn off at night?
Yes, most smartwatches let you schedule a bedtime mode that turns off the always on display automatically. This can help you get the most out of your battery, especially if you wear the watch all day. See our guide on estimating smartwatch battery life for more tips.
Update history
- : First published.