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Have you already activated the dark mode Have you ever noticed on your phone that the battery was lasting longer? Or seen someone swearing that this feature works miracles on energy consumption? Well, the truth is... yes and no. That depends on several factors — and not everyone will notice the difference.
In this post, we'll get straight to the point: when dark mode actually helps save battery, when it has no effect at all, and why it's still worth it even if it doesn't change your device's energy consumption.
Let's unravel this mystery without further ado.
So, what exactly is dark mode?
THE dark mode It's an option available in most operating systems, such as Android, iOS, and Windows. It changes the interface's color scheme, replacing white or light backgrounds with dark tones, usually black or dark gray.
Beyond the aesthetic aspect, this feature was designed to provide visual comfort, reduce eye strain, and of course, promise battery saving. But does he live up to all of that?
The screen is what makes the difference.
It all revolves around the type of screen your device uses. Today, the most modern smartphones come with... OLED or AMOLED screens, which function differently from LCD screens. And that's where the secret lies.
1# OLED/AMOLED Screens
These screens light up pixel by pixel. This means that when the color black is displayed, the pixels simply don't light up—that is, they don't consume energy. As a result, when you use dark mode, many pixels remain "off," and this actually generates a... real battery savings.
2# LCD Screens
In LCD screens, the lighting system is different. There is a backlight that remains on all the time, regardless of the color displayed. In other words, a black or white background consumes practically all the energy. same amount of energy. In this case, dark mode doesn't change anything about battery consumption.
In other words: dark mode It only saves battery if your device has an OLED or AMOLED screen.. And that makes sense, since the logic is to turn off parts of the screen when the background is dark — which doesn't happen on an LCD.
But how much battery power can you actually save?
According to tests conducted by Android developers and companies like Google, dark mode can reduce screen consumption by up to 60% In some very specific scenarios. But don't worry: this doesn't mean your battery will last twice as long just because you darkened the menus.
In practice, the total daily battery savings vary between 3% and 9%, It depends on how you use your phone. The more time you spend with the screen on, the more likely you are to notice the savings. But if you use your phone with low brightness, for short periods of time, or with apps that don't have a dark mode, the difference may be almost zero.
Is dark mode worth it even if it doesn't save energy?
It's definitely worth it! Even if you don't get extra battery life, dark mode has other advantages:
- Visual comfortIt helps reduce eye strain, especially at night.
- Less aggressive shineIdeal for low-light environments.
- A cleaner aestheticSome people simply prefer a more understated look.
- Fewer visual distractionsThe content stands out more.
Furthermore, several apps already offer support for dark mode, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, YouTube, Gmail, TikTok, and almost all browsers. The operating system follows suit, and the visual experience becomes much more integrated.
When should you not use dark mode?
Despite its benefits, dark mode doesn't appeal to everyone. In well-lit environments, for example, the dark background can make reading difficult. Some users also report headaches or visual discomfort with white letters on a black background.
If you feel this way, there's absolutely no problem in keeping the topic clear. Nowadays, most devices allow you to configure this. automatic dark modeIt turns on automatically at dusk and turns off during the day. That way, you can enjoy both worlds.
How do I activate dark mode on my phone?
If you haven't tried it yet, you can activate it quickly:
On Android:
1# Go to Settings
2# Tap Screen
3# Activate the option Dark theme or Dark mode
On iPhone (iOS):
1# Go to Adjustments
2# Tap Screen and brightness
3# Choose Dark or activate the automatic option
You can also activate it directly from the shortcuts center by pulling down the top bar.
And in the apps?
Even if your phone is in dark mode, some apps allow you to enable or disable the feature independently. It's worth checking this in each app's internal settings.
On YouTube, for example: tap your profile picture > Settings > General > Appearance.
On WhatsApp: Settings > Chats > Theme.
Bonus fact: Google changed because of this.
When Android was still very colorful and bright (around versions 5 and 6), Google wasn't so concerned about screen power consumption. But tests showed that the color white consumed the most energy on phones with AMOLED screens.
The result? The company began to rethink the design of its apps and included dark versions in virtually all of them. In other words, dark mode didn't appear out of nowhere; it was based on real consumption data.
See also: Could we be without internet in the future? Understand this question
May 23, 2025
Graduated in Literature – Portuguese/English, and creator of the website Successful Writer, seeks to expand everyone's knowledge with relevant information on a variety of topics, as a writer. At Vaga de Emprego RJ, she provides opportunities and tips on the job market.