Favourite Internet Browser on Android

[Whistler40145]

Hey guys

I’m swapping mobile phones tomorrow from Apple iPhone XS Max to Samsung Galaxy S20 and wondered what’s your favourite browser, especially for viewing RAILUK Forum, fast loading essential.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I use Firefox. Though more because I use it on desktop and the bookmarks are synced up.

Chrome is decent too, which is what you normally get by default, don't know what Samsung give you though as they do like to customise.

 

[Whistler40145]

I just like the freedom of Android versus the restricted feel of Apple, Firefox is definitely a fine browser, just a case of trial and error finding the most reliable app

 

[Bletchleyite]

I just like the freedom of Android versus the restricted feel of Apple, Firefox is definitely a fine browser, just a case of trial and error finding the most reliable app

The upside of Android with regard to browsers is that each one is its own thing - on iOS Apple require all browsers to use the Webkit (Safari) engine so they're all the same, all you're choosing is the icon and menu structure!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Chrome is good, Samsung's bloatware browser is rubbish.

I used to use Opera, until they were bought by the Chinese, but I don't trust Chinese software as far as I could throw it.

 

[mmh]

Chrome is good if you want the best integration with Google's web services, unsurprisingly. Duck Duck Go is the opposite, but the choice if you want as little Google as possible. The forum works perfectly in both (I use one on one phone and the other on another)

The other main ones are:

Firefox: worth considering if you already use it on a computer or need one of its many plugins, so but otherwise no real selling point

Opera: Quirky. Comes in different versions, with support for Opera's caching proxies and VPN

Microsoft Edge: A bit strange.

There's also the "standard" Android browser which will be installed as "Browser" or "Internet" probably. It's awful, don't bother with it.

The upside of Android with regard to browsers is that each one is its own thing - on iOS Apple require all browsers to use the Webkit (Safari) engine so they're all the same, all you're choosing is the icon and menu structure!

That's not really the case, most Android browsers are either Chromium (Google) or Gecko (Mozilla/Firefox) based. The interfaces are different but the rendering engines are the same. iOS enforces that, but it's also the status quo on Android.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Chrome is good, Samsung's bloatware browser is rubbish.

Samsung's bloatware generally is rubbish. I wouldn't have a Samsung phone if you paid me to. There is very little wrong with stock Android these days (early versions were basic, but they're now very much not), so I'd recommend manufacturers who do little "skinning", e.g. OnePlus (if you want a premium end phone) or Motorola (down the cheaper end). An added bonus of manufacturers who don't put too much rubbish on top is that you get upgrades much quicker.

I also dislike the flickery (50Hz) pulsed OLED screens they use on most of their phones.

To the OP - if you turn out to dislike Samsung's bolt-on-top junk, please don't go straight back to Apple - try another Android phone instead.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's not really the case, most Android browsers are either Chromium (Google) or Gecko (Mozilla/Firefox) based. The interfaces are different but the rendering engines are the same. iOS enforces that, but it's also the status quo on Android.

That's two vs. one, though. Webkit is your only option on Apple.

 

[Whistler40145]

I always relate to Apple being lik

That's two vs. one, though. Webkit is your only option on Apple.

Quite restricted on Apple then

 

[SS4]

Firefox Focus - it's the fastest browser that I've used as it's designed to be light and privacy focussed.

However, it is an amnesiac browser and it will forget your session when you tell it to so if you want a persistent session I'd run normal firefox - especially as it has fairly good extension support.