The backlash against dark mode arguably started with Adam Engst's extremely detailed article for TidBITS, which argues that light text on a dark background is objectively worse than the traditional black on white.Įxcept in extraordinary situations, Dark Mode is not easy on the eyes, in any way. Dark mode might lower reading comprehension
But do the benefits of dark mode live up to the hype? Let's dig into some research. It looks really cool, and tech companies are arguing that dark mode will improve the time you spend at a screen.Īpple says that dark mode 'makes it easier to stay focused on your work.' Microsoft says dark mode can 'reduce eye strain and improve battery life.' Google says it 'improves visibility for users with low vision and those who are sensitive to bright light.' The marketing message got through: people want this.ĭevelopers are rushing to offer dark versions of their apps, and people get excited when an app like Slack offers a dark mode. All the major operating systems-Android, iPhone, Windows, and macOS-now offer dark themes, which default to light text on a black background.
