An electronic device utilizes a method for displaying content on a display of the device during different device operating modes. According to one embodiment, the device (e.g., through its processing subsystem) determines whether it is in an active mode or a sleep mode. If the device is in an active mode, the device illuminates a first portion of the display to display content. On the other hand, if the device is in a sleep mode, the device illuminates a second, substantially lesser portion of the display to display content. In one embodiment, the device display includes a display panel and two disparate backlights positioned behind the display panel. The first backlight is operable to illuminate the first portion of the display panel and the second backlight is operable to illuminate the second portion of the display panel when each backlight is respectively activated by the device's processing subsystem.