The iPhone has a LED flash next to the rear camera that serves two main purposes – providing light for the camera to take photos and videos in low light conditions, and providing visual alerts for notifications and calls. Let’s take a closer look at how the LED flash works for providing alerts on iPhones.
LED Flash for Alerts
All iPhones from iPhone 4 and later have a LED flash next to the rear camera that blinks or lights up when you have incoming calls, texts, emails, app notifications, calendar events etc. This allows you to see that you have an alert even when your iPhone is lying face down or out of view.
The color and blinking pattern of the LED flash indicates what type of notification you have received:
- A flashing white light means you have a new notification
- A constant white light means your iPhone is charging
- An amber/orange light indicates your iPhone’s battery is low
- A flashing amber light means Do Not Disturb mode is enabled
So without even having to turn on your iPhone’s display or pick it up, you can tell if you have a notification or missed call by checking the LED flash color and blinking pattern.
Customizing LED Flash Alerts
You can customize how the LED flash alerts work on your iPhone to suit your preferences.
Enable/Disable LED Flash Alerts
To enable or disable LED flash alerts:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual
- Turn the LED Flash for Alerts toggle ON or OFF
Set Notification Type Alerts
You can choose which types of notifications will trigger the LED flash alerts:
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Tap on an app to open its notification settings
- Turn the Badge App Icon, Sounds and LED Flash Alert options ON or OFF as desired
Custom Vibration Patterns
You can set custom vibration patterns to identify different contacts without looking at your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Sound & Haptics
- Under System Haptics, tap Vibration
- Create new vibration patterns for different contacts
This way you can tell who is calling or texting you simply by the vibration pattern, even if your iPhone is in your pocket or bag.
LED Flash vs Always-On Display
Some Android phones have an always-on display that shows icons for missed calls, messages etc even when the screen is technically off or in sleep mode. So how does the iPhone LED flash compare to this always-on display feature?
Advantages of LED Flash
- Uses very little battery since it’s only flashing briefly
- Easy to see and identify alerts from a distance or different angles
- Can be customized with vibration patterns for silent alerts
Disadvantages of LED Flash
- Doesn’t identify the app or contact for the alert
- Easy to miss in bright conditions
- Can be distracting in dark environments
Advantages of Always-On Display
- Identifies the app, contact, and type of alert
- Works well in both bright and dark conditions
- More subtle notification than blinking light
Disadvantages of Always-On Display
- Uses more battery to light up part of the screen
- Have to be looking directly at the phone to see it
- Can only show a limited amount of info
So in summary, the LED flash has the advantages of being more visible from a distance and using very little battery, but lacks details. The always-on display uses more power but identifies the alerts better when you’re near the phone.
History of iPhone LED Flash
Let’s take a brief look at when the LED flash was introduced on iPhones and how it has evolved over the generations:
| iPhone Model | Year | LED Flash Features |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 4 | 2010 | Single LED flash |
| iPhone 4s | 2011 | Dual LED flash |
| iPhone 5 | 2012 | Dual LED flash, used for alerts and camera |
| iPhone 5s | 2013 | Dual LED flash, amber & white colors |
| iPhone 6/6s | 2014/2015 | Dual LED flash, front facing flash on 6s |
| iPhone 7/8 | 2016/2017 | Quad LED flash, 50% brighter |
| iPhone X | 2017 | Quad LED flash, redesigned vertical layout |
| iPhone XS/XR | 2018 | Quad LED flash, advanced flicker sensor |
| iPhone 11 | 2019 | Dual LED flash, up to 36% brighter outdoors |
| iPhone 12 | 2020 | Dual LED flash, optimized for color accuracy |
| iPhone 13 | 2021 | Dual LED flash, 800 nits brightness |
| iPhone 14 | 2022 | Dual LED flash |
As you can see, the iPhone LED flash has steadily improved over the years, with key advancements like multiple LEDs for brightness, color accuracy, sensor flicker, and brightness enhancements.
Customizing LED Flash Settings
Here are some tips on customizing the LED flash alerts on your iPhone to best suit your usage and preferences:
Reduce Distractions
- Turn off LED flash for less important apps
- Lower notification sounds and haptics
- Use Do Not Disturb when needed for uninterrupted sleep or meetings
Increase Visibility
- Set brighter or longer LED flash in Accessibility settings
- Associate distinct vibration patterns for key contacts
- Use the amber LED flash color if white is too bright at night
Conserve Battery
- Keep LED flash alerts only for priority apps and contacts
- Avoid using Always-On display which uses more power
- Adjust auto-lock and screen brightness to reduce power consumption
Try out different LED flash settings to find the right balance for your usage. The highly customizable options ensure you can make the LED flash for alerts work optimally on your iPhone.
Conclusion
The LED flash on iPhones serves the dual purpose of providing light for the camera as well as visually indicating notifications and alerts. While simple, the blinking LED flash can be highly visible for missed calls and messages. The color and pattern convey different information types. Users can customize the LED flash alerts for different apps, contacts, and environments to best suit their needs. Improved brightness, sensors and colors have made the LED flash for alerts an indispensable visual indicator on iPhones over the years.