Study: Dark Mode Doesn’t Save Battery Life

Dark mode does not reduce energy consumption, according to BBC engineers. In some cases, it can even increase power usage.

An experiment with volunteers found that 80% of users significantly increase screen brightness when using dark mode, effectively canceling out any potential energy savings.

We found that 80% of participants significantly increased brightness when using dark mode. Since higher brightness leads to greater energy consumption, this user behavior creates a 'rebound effect,' challenging the assumption that dark mode is an energy-saving option,  the researchers explain.

Additionally, power consumption depends on various factors, including screen type—for example, OLED screens may save energy in dark mode, while LCDs do not.

To genuinely conserve battery life, researchers recommend lowering screen brightness to a comfortable minimum, using smaller devices (like a phone instead of a laptop), and extending device lifespan to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.