Exclusive: LG G5 leak reveals Always On display

Listen up LG G5 fans, the Galaxy S7 isn’t the only flagship arriving at MWC 2016 that will have an Always On display. This GIF of the first LG G5 feature to be officially revealed, obtained exclusively by Android Authority, shows that LG has included the same thinking in its radically redesigned G4 successor. But the LG G5 version has a twist.

The GIF shows a variety of smartphones gradually growing dark, until the silhouette of the LG G5 appears with the time and date (of the LG press conference at MWC 2016) displayed above a series of notification icons, very similar to what you would find on the LG V10‘s second screen. The text “Always On” then appears alongside the LG G5 logo.

While this may look pretty familiar – the same kind of thing LG did with Glance View on the G Flex 2 and LG G4 or that Motorola and Google have done with Ambient Display on AMOLED devices – the LG G5 is very different indeed. This is because the LG G5 screen is literally always on, not just intermittently visible like the Moto X or Nexus 6P and without requiring a gesture like previous LG devices.

From what we’re being told, the LG G5 Always On display is actually a full-screen version of the V10’s second screen, rather than an AMOLED display. That potentially means colors and customization, just like the LG V10, but on a full-screen scale. Battery consumption is always a concern where backlit LCDs are concerned, so it will be interesting to see how LG has handled that.

The GIF does seem to show a fairly standard layout for the Always On Display, so there may be constraints on what can be put there. But with much more available space than the V10, the customization options should be more extensive even if they do sit within regular widget-like possibilities.

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Meanwhile, Samsung has trademarked the Always On Display name, reportedly for inclusion in the Galaxy S7. This means Samsung likely has a very similar feature in its new flagship too, but using an AMOLED display. AMOLED screens are more battery-friendly than LCD, so, as always – and despite fancy new features – the upper hand might still be won by something as tried and tested as better battery life.

Who do you think will do a better Always On display?