No, it does not take longer to process, in general. If there is a small, well-known set of icons (e.g. traffic signs), then yes, it's easier. Same is true for w

No, it does not take longer to process, in general. If there is a small, well-known set of icons (e.g. traffic signs), then yes, it's easier. Same is true for weather symbols - sun and clouds are well-known. However, I find really amusing when I (as somebody who considers himself a really experienced user and gadget-fan) can't decide what the icons mean on my smartphone, then I start getting suspicious. If you haven't seen something many times, then icons are harder to parse, simply because you don't know what they mean.