Ask HN: To save energy, light mode + dim screen or dark mode + bright screen?

[rr-geil-j]

I find myself increasing my screen brightness whenever I use dark themes/modes, and vice versa. Since I have no real preference between the two, I'm thinking of just choosing based on energy savings.

Which combination saves more energy in the long run?

[avocadoLife]

AFAIK, dark mode can save energy on OLED based screens (due to pixels being completely turned off) but not on LCD-based screens. However, lowering brightness should probably always lower energy usage.

[ohiovr]

I was going to give an opinion but wouldn’t it be more fun to make an experiment?

[rr-geil-j]

I was thinking of that though I still have to find out which method is accurate. I was hoping someone in HN already did something similar. :-)