<![CDATA[The introduction of dark mode as a default option on all major mobile platforms has sparked considerable debate regarding its impact on user experience and visual comfort. We employed a mixed-method approach through an online survey (n=215), a controlled experiment (n=45), and heuristic evaluation of 12 popular mobile apps to assess user preferences and display mode impacts on visual comfort. Survey findings indicated that 68.4% preferred dark mode, mainly due to increased visual comfort and decreased eye strain in low-light environments. The experimental part used within-subject design to show significant differences in subjective comfort ratings (p<0.05) and reading performance across different ambient lighting conditions for various display modes. Heuristic evaluation uncovered critical design issues including optimization of contrast ratio, consistency in the color palette as well as compliance with accessibility standards. Results indicate that the application of dark mode should be context-aware considering ambient light, type of content, and personal sensitivity to vision changes. Our results provide evidence-based recommendations for mobile application designers and contribute to literature regarding visual ergonomics within mobile HCI.]]>
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