Legibility and Clear Is The New Trend

Dark mode is becoming increasingly popular among various apps, following visual design trends. But what is dark mode? It uses a darker background for the visual design, while the user interface (UI) features white text to ensure readability. Additionally, the text has a higher opacity to enhance clarity.

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Dark mode is popular among many apps, especially for younger users. Many brands and businesses leverage dark mode due to its benefits. The advantages are listed below.

Essential To All Stages Of Product Development 

Raluca Budiu

All stages of product development can benefit from implementing certain strategies. For new products, product managers are focused on improving user adoption, including considerations for users with accessibility needs. They may also aim to attract users who prefer dark mode over light mode, while also considering the long-term impact on battery life.

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Mature products often encounter ongoing challenges with user retention. When users find competing products that offer a dark mode, they may decide to switch. Additionally, many users abandon mature products due to issues with battery drain; providing a dark mode option can help retain these customers. Product managers are constantly striving to win back lost users. Products that are not experiencing growth may enter a phase called the dormant stage, during which they generate a lower return on investment (ROI).

For mature products, user engagement remains steady. Consumer spending shows a consistent trend but lacks growth. Users might be utilizing the light mode for the interface or sticking to familiar patterns. At this stage, product managers are considering the following questions:

• Will implementing dark mode contribute to business success?
• Could adopting dark mode jeopardize steady progress?
• Is dark mode a worthwhile investment?

The Perks For Using Dark Mode

Dark mode, much like light mode, has its benefits. It sets the product apart from competitors and enhances overall performance. 

Key Benefits of Dark Mode:

• It saves battery life. 
• It reduces blue light emissions from the screen.
• It’s ideal for use at night. 
• It is accommodating for customers with visual impairments.

Learn more- Does Light Mode Actually Improve Readability and Reduce Eye Strain?

Saves Battery Life

Chris Welch

One disadvantage of light mode is that it drains the battery faster. In contrast, dark mode can be beneficial for extending battery life, allowing for longer engagement with the device. This extended usage time can be beneficial for work, entertainment, or exploring the app’s features.

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Products that utilize dark mode often receive better reviews for their longer battery life, which can lead to improved customer retention. Increased activity time may also result in a potential rise in consumer spending, depending on the product’s development stage.

Chris Welch

New products can utilize dark mode during usability testing. Evaluating the visual design with users can provide valuable insights. This approach can also help assess how battery life impacts performance. UX research can be informed by understanding user emotions, which will enhance collaboration between designers and stakeholders.

For existing products, dark mode is beneficial for UX research, such as A/B testing. This allows for a comparison between the previous design and the new one. Product managers can determine whether dark mode enhances the user experience, which may reduce negative reviews about battery life and improve user retention.

For mature products, implementing dark mode can lead to greater battery savings. Reducing bright elements can enhance the visual design and steady progress is expected to continue.

Prevents Blue Emitted Light

When the background is bright, it can lead to the appearance of blue light, which may cause damage to the eyes. This is particularly concerning for individuals with visual impairments who are sensitive to light. Utilizing dark mode can help reduce light exposure, making it easier for users to interact with designs. A darker background results in less strain while reading.

New products can benefit from using a darker background, which helps reduce eye strain during usability testing. For existing products that are not experiencing growth, improving their features—especially those that are excessively bright—can lead to better outcomes. Additionally, removing overly bright elements from screens in future products can provide added relief for users.

Great For Night Usage 

Reducing blue light has several benefits, particularly when using devices at night. Dark mode can help ease eye strain by decreasing the amount of bright blue light emitted from the screen. Many users find that using apps in dark mode is more comfortable, leading to reduced eye strain and making information easier to read and comprehend. A darker background minimizes brightness from a light interface, which can be more suitable for some users’ eyesight.

Thomas Steiner designed a survey on Google Forms to collect data from users who interact with dark interfaces. The survey included 243 participants, of whom 82.7% reported using the system’s dark interface tool, while only 17.3% indicated that they did not.

Thomas Stein

Out of approximately 201 participants, 150 reported that dark mode is easier on the eyes, making it the most favored reason among all those listed. Although some studies suggest that dark mode is not as beneficial as lighter interfaces, it remains a viable option for accessibility.

Thomas Stein

Using apps at night can enhance comfort for users, reducing eye strain for many. Information becomes easier to read and understand due to the decreased brightness associated with darker backgrounds. Many users find that dark modes are better suited for their eyesight.

To improve user experience and promote health and safety, products at all stages of development should be designed to be usable during nighttime.

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Employees Enjoy The Dark Side

For employee-facing products, the dark mode offers several advantages. It is particularly beneficial for employees with visual impairments and sensitive eyes, as it reduces the blue light emitted from screens. Product managers are always looking for emerging trends to stay ahead of the competition, and dark mode is a trend that can help a product stand out.

A darker interface is handy for night shifts or long working hours, as it reduces screen brightness. This makes it easier for users to locate elements quickly and efficiently. When users can easily find what they’re looking for, it leads to an improved customer experience.

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Does Dark Mode Come At A Cost?

Implementing dark mode for your projects is free and straightforward, as it simply involves utilizing a dark background. Many UX tools offer a variety of color schemes that cater to different needs.

For product managers who overlook dark mode, this decision can lead to missed opportunities and costs. Offering users the option of dark mode is not just a trend; it’s essential for accessibility and enhances user satisfaction.

Without dark mode, you risk negatively impacting customer experience, as it can influence reviews, retention rates, engagement levels, and the onboarding process. Let’s enhance your user experience together!

Learn more Designial, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance integrating dark mode into your products.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.