Does Dark Mode Really Save Smartphone Battery? Three Reasons Why Many Users Are Turning It Off

Dark Mode has become one of the most popular features on modern smartphones. Many users enable it believing that it saves battery power and is easier on the eyes. However, experts and recent reports suggest that these claims may not be entirely true. In fact, there are several reasons why users are now reconsidering the use of Dark Mode.

Does Dark Mode Actually Save Battery?

According to a report by MakeUseOf, Dark Mode is often believed to save battery on smartphones with OLED displays because black pixels are supposed to turn off completely. While this is technically correct, it applies only when the pixels are truly black.

In reality, most Dark Mode interfaces use dark grey shades instead of pure black. These grey pixels still consume power, which significantly reduces any potential battery-saving benefit. As a result, the overall difference in battery consumption is often negligible, even on OLED screens.

Reading Text Becomes More Difficult

One major drawback of Dark Mode is reduced readability. White or light-colored text on a dark background can strain the eyes, especially during prolonged reading.

For centuries, books and newspapers have been printed with black text on white pages because this combination offers optimal contrast and readability. In Dark Mode, contrast levels are often lower, making it harder to read text comfortably. On some smartphones, including certain Samsung models, Dark Mode mixes black, dark grey, and dark green tones, further worsening the reading experience.

App Interfaces Look Unappealing

Many popular apps appear cleaner and more visually appealing in Light Mode. In Dark Mode, highlighted elements often look dull or awkward against dark backgrounds.

For example, blue highlights on white backgrounds—such as in the Google Play Store—appear clear and sharp, but lose their visual appeal on dark screens. Similarly, Gmail’s dark interface with light text can feel unnatural and less comfortable to view. Since Dark Mode was added later to many apps, it often feels poorly optimized, leading to inconsistent design and reduced user comfort.

Is Dark Mode Overrated?

Once considered a must-have feature, Dark Mode is gradually losing its appeal. Lower contrast, inconsistent app design, and minimal battery savings—especially with grey-based dark themes—have made users rethink its usefulness.

While Dark Mode may still work well in low-light conditions for some users, it is no longer seen as the universally superior option. If you value better readability, cleaner visuals, and no noticeable battery loss, turning off Dark Mode might actually improve your smartphone experience.