The Smartphone Technology keeps on witnessing legion changes quite frequently. All agree that Mobile Apps are the heart of the Smart Phone industry. The introduction of the new Dark Mode App Design is surely capturing the curiosity of many people.
Why is there a need for Dark Mode Mobile Apps?
It is not wrong to say that considering the mobile usage pattern, smartphones have turned out to be the extended limbs for human beings. The GenX regards smartphones as one of the essentialities of their lives today. Surviving without Smartphones seems to be an arduous task.
An average American spends more than 3.5 hours daily on his smartphone, states an eMarketer study.
With such a large chunk of people spending more and more time on their mobile devices, there is an increasing risk of health hazards like eye damage and adverse sleeping patterns. It is well-accepted that an abundant amount of a user’s duration on smartphones comprises the use of Mobile Apps. It is time that Entities involved in Mobile Application Development need to come up with sustainable app solutions.
A Report by Flurry Analytics says that Smartphone users spend 90 percent of their screen time on Mobile Apps.
Dark Mode is giving a Brighter side to Mobile Apps
This is where the Dark Mode Apps are bringing a positive front to the smartphone apps.
What is the Dark Mode?
Also known as the Night Mode or the Light-on-Dark theme, the dark mode is a type of color scheme which consists of a dark background with bright colored Graphical User Interface elements, text, and icons. The launch of the dark mode was announced by both the tech giants Google and Apple in 2019. Various Apps are now launching their Dark Mode Design to enable users to work with the Dark Mode on their smartphones effortlessly.
Factors to Consider while Designing and Developing a Dark Mode App
There are some essential guiding tips for Dark Mode App Design and Development. These are provided by the two leading platforms iOS and Android for their apps deployed on their respective platforms with the dark mode.
Let us enlighten you about the critical factors to consider for the Dark Mode Apps.
For iPhones
With iOS 13, Apple has introduced the development possibility of the Dark Mode. It has altered the color scheme and UI Style for the Dark Mode. Here are the changes which are made.
- Colour combination for the System
To support the Dark Mode scheme, iOS now has nine new predefined color systems. They are enabling to enhance the dark mode look on the iPhone. They provide the user with some great options and are adaptable to interface styles. You can consider these color systems during the creating of your iOS dark Mode apps to bring a harmonious design.
- The SF Symbols
For Application Designers and Developers, iOS has about 1500 symbols that can be used during the development of iPhone Apps. These colors are found in the Human Interface Guidelines and are befitting to the Dark and the Light modes.
- Use of Semantic Shades
For the iOS commonly used UI elements, new semantic colors have been introduced. These shades will help in deciding the overall appearance of the Dark as well as the light mode. These semantic shades have a suitable RGB value.
- Consider the Blur Effect and Vibrancy
Another interesting move is the introduction of new blur effects and vibrancy. iOS 13 has come up with 8 vibrancy effects and 4 blur effects. They naturally mix with the iOS interference style. There are separate blur and vibrancy effects in the dark and light mode.
For Android Phones
- Reduce the use of Light Pixels
One of the crucial mottos of the dark mode app is to reduce the phone’s battery consumption. There is a possibility for saving the battery life by a counter reduction in the usage of the light pixels while designing the dark mode apps.
- Maintain Color Contrast Standards
As per Google’s Material Design standards for the Dark Mode scheme, developers must look for the following properties to cater to the color contrast standards and ease the User-experience.
- In the dark mode design, the significant difference is in the illumination of the surface of elevation levels. There remains a similar shadow component for the light and the dark theme. The lower the surface elevation levels, the darker the surface will be.
- There needs to be coordination between the text and background. The contrast between the dark background and text needs to be at least 15.8:1 for the text to appear appropriate to the user. The text must also have adequate opacity levels, such as the High-emphasis text must have an opacity of about 87 percent.
- Saturated colors should be avoided as they add to the straining of the eyes. Android app Developers must use colors which are desaturated. Shades with a total value between 50 to 400 are suggested.
- Showcase the Grey Side
It is advisable to use a grey shade instead of a stark black while designing the dark theme for your application. It is more comforting for the eyes then the completely black color. White text colors are also entirely complementing to the greyish tones.
- Limited Color Accents
You need to ensure that the widely held background space must comprise of the dark colors. Developers must limit their color accents to make this possible. Otherwise, it will spoil the dark UI theme.
Benefits of the Dark Mode Apps
- Less Health Damaging
The biggest advantage of the Dark Mode is its higher comfort levels for the eyes, especially during the night. Excessive exposure to the light emitted while using standard light-themed apps on the smartphone causes eye damage and itchiness. It also affects the sleep pattern, which is harmful to our health. Dark Mode does not emit high levels of blue lights, which makes it easier for the eyes to adjust. - Energy Saving
The use of Dark Mode is said to be more than 15 percent energy saving while using power-intensive apps on the phones than the normal Light mode. Both Google and Apple have confirmed this trait that the use of dark mode prolongs battery life. - More Classy
Smartphones have had the default light mode for many years now. The bright mode has become quite common and dull. The dark mode brings with itself more panache and style. Developers also have the chance to look for different shades and settings while designing their apps for the dark mode. The new magnetic look is surely attracting many users.
The Dark Side of the Dark Mode
The Dark Mode, along with its goodness, does come with its share of drawbacks.
It is difficult to use the apps in the dark mode in a well-illuminated room or broad daylight. There is also a probability of an unhealthy dark mode, which can cause a hazy focus known as halation. The improper dark mode settings can cause strain like the bright mode.
Conclusion
“It is the time for the Dark Mode to Rise!”
The Dark Mode is undoubtedly an enticing improvisation in the UI scheme of smartphones. It is bringing some significant advantages to the smartphone user base. It will garner great popularity, and it is an opportunity for App Developers to make new, exciting designs for the Dark Mode Apps.
Our Developers at Sysbunny have already started to create the Dark Mode Versions of Apps for usage with the Night theme.
Have an Idea?
Design a beguiling dark mode app for your business. Sysbunny is at your disposal to address any Mobile Application Development needs of your entity.
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