A method, system, and device for controlling screen brightness of a mobile terminal are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile terminal comprises a display unit, a sensing unit, and a controller configured to maintain a brightness of the display unit at a reduced level of screen brightness during a non-active state of the mobile terminal, and restore the brightness of the display unit to a normal level of screen brightness after a short timeout subsequent to a detection of an event configured to activate the mobile terminal via the sensing unit.