Methods and devices for adjusting a power mode of a display are disclosed. An example method includes detecting a set of contact signals on a surface of the device and determining whether the set of contact signals correspond to a contact signature associated with an in-use state of the display. The example method further includes transitioning the power mode of the display to a power saving mode in response to determining that the set of contact signals do not correspond to the contact signature associated with the in-use state of the display, and retaining the power mode of the display in a current power mode in response to determining that the set of contact signals correspond to the contact signature associated with the in-use state of the display. An additional example method may further include detecting whether a proximity sensor at the device is occluded prior to the transition.