It is generally accepted that using dark mode helps reduce battery consumption. BBC journalists decided to test this claim in practice. Their study not only refuted the popular belief but also partially proved the opposite.
To conduct the experiment, the researchers used a computer monitor and two laptops. Participants adjusted screen brightness while browsing to ensure comfortable viewing. Surprisingly, 80% of them significantly increased the brightness when using the dark interface, which led to higher energy consumption.
Testing Energy Efficiency
The study also examined the relationship between energy efficiency and factors like web resource speed and data transfer volume, adds NIXsolutions. No connection was found in the first case, while in the second, the impact was negligible. Based on the results, journalists concluded that dark mode is often ineffective for battery conservation.
Alternative Ways to Save Energy
For those concerned about energy consumption, the study suggests lowering screen brightness and opting for compact, energy-efficient devices—such as a laptop instead of a desktop PC. Yet, we’ll keep you updated on any new findings regarding display settings and battery life.