Does Grayscale Save Battery?

Few things are quite as disheartening in the modern era as gradually watching your phone battery diminish. The icon starts flashing - and then, nothing but darkness. And, of course, it only happens when you really need it. 

Maximizing and maintaining battery life is a major concern for many, and there are several ‘hacks’ out there, some of which work, most of which don't. One method we often hear about is grayscale, but does this really work? Let's take a look. 

What is Grayscale?

Grayscale is a display setting available on most smartphones that converts the color screen into shades of gray, eliminating all color. This means everything from app icons to photos has the hues removed, leaving nothing but black, white, and gray. 

Initially, grayscale was developed for devices like e-readers to minimize power usage, as these devices did not require high refresh rates or color displays. However, it has since been used to reduce visual stimuli, potentially leading to a calmer - and more limited - phone experience where we aren't dazzled by colors keeping us swiping.   

Does Grayscale Save Battery Life?

In recent years, grayscale has emerged as a battery-saving hack many swear by. There’s plenty of truth here, but it depends on the type of screen technology a device uses. For smartphones with OLED or AMOLED screens, where each pixel is lit individually, displaying black or shades of gray can indeed reduce power consumption. 

This is because black pixels in these displays are essentially off. However, the power savings are negligible for devices with LCD screens, where the backlight remains on regardless of the color displayed. 

 What Are the Benefits of Grayscale on a Phone?

Besides potentially helping battery consumption, several other benefits come from using grayscale on phones. 

Reduces Eye Strain

Excessive light and color from our phones can lead to eye strain and headaches. Grayscale can soften the bright colors on display, making it less harsh, which can be particularly beneficial in low-light conditions or for those who spend long hours on their devices.

Minimizes Distractions

While there needs to be a lot more research into it, anecdotal evidence suggests that grayscale helps make phones less appealing, which means they're less distracting. Bright colors are often used in apps and notifications to grab our attention, but grayscale reduces this visual noise, helping users to focus better and potentially spend less time on distracting apps.

Helps with Digital Wellbeing

Statistics surrounding mobile mobile use, particularly among the young, can be shocking. In the U.S., teenagers spend an average of 8 hours a day on their phones, and you'd need help finding medical professionals who won't raise red flags over these figures. Using grayscale can reduce the overall appeal of the screen, which might help decrease screen time. This comes as part of digital well-being strategies to combat smartphone addiction.

Final Thoughts

It's hard to give grayscale the all-encompassing seal of approval when it comes to battery saving, as it depends on your phone and its screen technology. If you have an OLED or AMOLED screen, it's certainly worth trying. If not, some of the other benefits related to grayscale could persuade you to give it a go.  

Beyond potential battery conservation, using grayscale can help reduce eye strain, minimize distractions, and promote better digital habits. Consider trying grayscale mode if you want to extend your phone's battery life and improve your focus through less usage.

If you want something in your back pocket just in case your battery does run out, head over to Casely and check out our selection of power pods. Each one comes with a 5000mAh battery capacity - around 19 hours - more than enough to keep you going during that crucial time. Why risk the dreaded flashing icon - keep your backup close by.