How to get the most out of Galaxy Note 7's Always On Display feature

Samsung's new Galaxy Note iteration bundles a new version of the Always On Display with enhanced features to help users get the most out of the phone even when its screen is off. This feature originally debuted with the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge launched earlier this year. IBTimes UK explains its users how to take advantage of this feature on the Note 7, which will go on sale on 19 August starting with carriers in the US, and on 2 September in Europe.

Screen-off memo

To jot down a note, you no longer need to unlock your Note or launch the memo app. Instead, you can just use the S Pen and start writing, using the Screen-off Memo feature. If you want the note to remain visible like a sticky note on the system that reminds you of important event, just pin it to the Always On Display screen. To pin the note, just double tap the Memo icon. You can also store the memos in the Samsung Notes app directly from the Always On Display screen.

Get access to more information

Along with the access to important details such as time, date and missed calls, the Always On Display lets users check their calendars for events and notifications from apps: for instance, song information from music apps.

With the new Direct Access feature, it is easier to react to notifications and launch an app by simply tapping the notification that is being displayed. This additional function makes it possible for users to quickly reply to messages, edit calendar details or pause a song.

Customisations

The Always On Display feature provides a bunch of personalisations, which can be done from the Settings menu by choosing from a wide range of clock faces and modes, calendars and images. You can use any image either by downloading from the internet or directly from the smartphone Gallery and use it as the Always On Display background. You can play with other things as well like editing the font style and colour to set your own signature.

Power saving feature

Despite displaying important information, the Always On Display is power efficient as it uses a meagre amount of battery, less than 1%. Besides, Samsung claims to have reduced the power consumption of several components of the Super AMOLED screen of Note 7 such as Display Driver IC (DDI), which consumes the most amount of power, the processor and other sensors.

In an effort to minimise power consumption, Samsung has used technology that enables users to turn on the Always On Display or off. Proximity, RGB light sensors and accelerometer of the Note 7 determine whether the Always On Display needs to be turned on or off. For instance, the feature will get disabled if the Note 7 senses the device is in the pocket.

Also, the feature automatically turns off if the battery of the phone goes below 5% or when the user activates the Night Clock mode, which can be accessed from the edge display.