Apple iOS 10 ‘dark mode’ code suggests that upcoming iPhone could use new OLED screen technology

The feature isn’t yet available in publicly available versions of the app, but a developer has found suggestions that Apple is working on a dark mode – and that it’s working on entirely new screen technology, too

Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services for Apple Inc., discusses the company's tvOS at the company's World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S. June 13, 2016 (REUTERS/Stephen Lam)

Secret “dark modes” have been found hiding in Apple’s new iOS 10 – potentially suggesting clues about its upcoming handsets.

The company had been widely rumoured to be launching such dark modes with the new software, which was previewed last week and will be released in the autumn. But they didn’t arrive, with Apple instead choosing to alter other parts of the operating system’s design including its lock screen and notifications.

But parts of the rumoured feature have been found hiding within the code, strongly suggesting that Apple either is or was working on such a design. Developer Andy Wiik found that by injecting code into an iOS 10 simulator he could find a white-on-black version of the Settings app, apparently ready for a rumoured setting that would turn all parts of the software that colour.

The hidden setting is important not only because a dark mode is an often requested feature, but also because it might suggest that upcoming phones could include an OLED screen, marking a major change for iPhones.

Dark modes show up especially well on OLED screens, as well as helping preserve battery. The screens show blacks as especially dark, helping ensure a high contrast, and they do not need to use as much energy to show blacks so help keeping the phone running efficiently.

It’s presumed that a dark mode will come alongside the introduction of an OLED phone, for that reason. As such, Apple may have kept the design secret and wait until it releases the relevant hardware, while preparing to build it into its software.

Apple is rumoured to be introducing an OLED phone in 2017, in what is expected to be the next phone that will receive a major update. The iPhone 7, which is set to be released later this year, is tipped to include the same LCD screens that are in existing iPhones.

AS such, the dark mode might make its way into iOS with the eleventh version of the software, which would usually be unveiled in June next year.

Apple did bring dark mode to its Apple TVs at WWDC. That will benefit users with OLED TVs, for the same reason, as well as allowing people not to be dazzled by the white of their screen when they stop watching a video.