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Gone are the days when your phone or computer came with a certain browser installed and you didn’t question it. One browser is just as good as any other, right? There are a number of browser options out there and they aren’t all equal — some offer certain features that others lack, while others can actually make your device operate less efficiently and can prove to be major battery drains. If your phone is running at a snail’s pace right now, one immediate change you can make that could improve its speed is taking a look at the browser you’re using and upgrading to one that is better for your purposes. Want a faster phone? Tech Expert Olivia Tan, co-founder of CocoFax, talks to SHEFinds.com about the one browser you should be using.
Opera Browser
If you haven’t heard of the Opera Browser yet you’re in for a treat, according to Tan. “The one browser that supports faster browsing and downloads is Opera Browser,” Tan says. “One of the oldest Android browsers, Opera is very much capable of downloading files at great speed. On top of that, you get one of the smoothest UI experiences that any browser has to offer. Likewise, it can also download videos from many different sites without even the need for any proxy.”
The Chromium-based browser may sound new, but has actually been around since 1995 and is a tried and trusted option. In addition to Android, it can be used on iOS, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows.
Some of the features that you can expect from your Opera browser include a fast option to delete private data like cookies and browsing history and a built-in cryptocurrency wallet that will help keep your phone more private and secure. Many users also make the switch and find that its “speed dial” feature that calls up saved pages in a thumbnail form saves them so much time getting from one site to another.
With all of that said, Google Chrome is still your default browser if you are an Android user. And while Chrome has features like a built-in password manager and the ability to effortlessly synch with a Chrome desktop, it isn’t every tech expert’s favorite choice. “If you use Google apps, you'll notice they are major battery and processor hogs,” Tan says. “Chrome is especially awful at this. Just having one Chrome tab open can siphon battery power, and most people have multiple tabs open in the background.”
If you’re ready to try something new and possibly experience a faster, more efficient phone, take a note from experts and give the Opera browser a chance.