Dark Mode User-Friendliness in Mobile News Reading Applications

Abstract

This study examines the influence of visual mode (Light Mode vs. Dark Mode) on the usability of mobile news reading applications. The primary objective was to determine whether measurable differences exist between the two modes across four usability dimensions: readability, efficiency, ease of navigation, and overall user satisfaction. The study also assessed the role of customisation options, such as font size adjustment, in shaping user experience. A high-fidelity prototype replicating the visual design of the BBC News mobile application was developed and tested in a controlled laboratory setting. The prototype permitted users to toggle between Light and Dark Mode and to adjust font size across three predefined levels. A total of 28 participants (aged 20–30) completed seven structured usability tasks, with data collected through combining quantitative metrics (System Usability Scale scores, task times, usability ratings) and qualitative user feedback. The results reveal that Dark Mode outperformed Light Mode in terms of readability, efficiency, and overall satisfaction, while no significant difference was observed for ease of navigation. Participants highly valued the ability to customise font size, further reinforcing the importance of adaptive interface design in mobile news reading contexts. Qualitative analysis supported these trends, highlighting strong user preference for Dark Mode and identifying areas for improving navigation flow and settings accessibility. The study contributes to the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) under UX-UI contributions, by supporting current design recommendations advocating for usercontrolled visual presentation options in content-centric mobile applications. While the study focused on Android devices and a specific age group, the results provide practical insights for designers aiming to optimise mobile news reading experiences across platforms.

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A master thesis from Aalborg University

Dark Mode User-Friendliness in Mobile News Reading Applications