A display method and a display device capable of performing light emission control without the need for an external light sensor are provided. The display device uses the display pixel to detect the external light. A panel drive current that is a sum of drive currents flowing into the red, green and blue pixels is detected. The panel drive current and a set current value that has been previously set are compared with each other. When the panel drive current is equal to or higher than the set current in a standard luminance display mode, the standard luminance display mode is switched to a high luminance display mode. When the panel drive current is lower than the set current value, the high luminance display mode is switched to the standard luminance display mode.