What tablet browser do you favor?

[jhansman]

Just got a refurbed Galaxy Note 10.1 and am looking at browsers. I'm used to the convenience of FF on a desktop, and the stock JB browser just doesn't cut it. Please, your recommendations and why. Thanks.

 

[Pardus]

Dolphin, only one that works for me. Firefox, Opera, Chrome aren't quite there yet. Enjoy your new tablet.

This is one of the most popular and, at the same time, fastest browsers ever released for Android devices. It features tabbed browsing along with Dolphin Connect, it allows you to sync and send contents between your mobile and desktop browsers.

Dolphin Browser has been installed over fifty million times, the Connect feature allows you to send links, phone numbers, maps and almost any other files from your desktop to your smartphone using desktop browser extensions. You can sync history, passwords, bookmarks and open all the tabs that are currently running on all the other synced devices. The Wi-Fi Broadcast functions permits users to share links with their Dolphin friends using the nearby wi-fi connection. Also, Sonar is the ‘voice search’ function and you can simply say a word and Dolphin will proceed to give you related results.

It also features ‘gestures’, add-ons that can be used to add extensions to your Dolphin Browser for Android app. You can configure favorite mobile web pages using the Speed Dial function. The Dolphin Browser keeps on receiving updates almost weekly and you won’t ever get outdated by any other Android web browser. It packs a user friendly interface, which means that in case you didn’t use it until now, then you will be able to learn fast how to get your way around it.

This web browser is free to use for Android smartphones and tablets. Dolphin Browser can be downloaded from Google Play Store here. It measures only 5MB and it will work with Android 2.0.1 and later variants.

The Dolphin Browser Mini is a lite alternative for the main app. It is fast, easy to use, powerful and it packs Speed Dial, Infinite tabs, smart back and forward, copy text, gestures, tool box, RSS detection, sync bookmarks and history and most visited pages. Also, it packs Flash player for Froyo devices. It measures only 1MB

 

[Shackanaw]

I like both Chrome and Firefox, as I explained in another thread:

I've used it on my Nexus 4 and Nexus 7, and it's generally been a positive experience. I wish that I could disable third-party cookies, however.

Firefox is my main browser on desktop, and I go through times where I use it as my primary on my phone and tablet. It has some key advantages, and some weaknesses that make me come crawling back.

Firefox lets me disable third-party cookies, it has a great reader mode that allows you to read a less cluttered version of a web page, it supports extensions (though I haven't seen any for mobile that are useful, aside from AdBlock, which doesn't actually function), and I can change numerous hidden settings through about:config.

However, it requires that I change a hidden setting (browser.formfill.enable) to disable form autofill and search history (Chrome has this in the settings manager), it doesn't have a tab strip on tablets like Chrome has, it's tab sync is far less reliable and usable, and it doesn't save my tabs if I kill it or turn off my device (probably the single most important feature of Chrome on Android for me).

The last one is planned for a future version, but all together, these pros and cons keep me oscillating between the two browsers on Android.

 

[gmaster456]

I use chrome on all my mobile devices but prefer firefox on PC's.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I like both Chrome and Firefox, as I explained in another thread:

Are you the guy who reviewed FF here?

I swear I just read the review this morning after reading this thread, and after lunch when I refreshed this thread, I saw your post and I thought "Gee, that looks awfully familiar."

Dolphin, only one that works for me. Firefox, Opera, Chrome aren't quite there yet. Enjoy your new tablet.

I wish Dolphin had a faster way to request desktop sites and to switch back from Mobile to Desktop versions. While a 10.1" tablet is in general large enough for the desktop view, sometimes the mobile view is easier to use and navigate without having to zoom in and stuff. Plus, it's often less clobbered than the desktop mode which can run slower. That's my only complaint. Also Dolphin seems to have funky sorting of files and folders when you browse where you want to save your files.

 

[Commodus]

Chrome. Fast updates, familiar interface, syncs with other devices... and importantly, no Flash allowed.

 

[openwheel]

Chrome. Smooth and fast.

 

[jhansman]

I have Dolphin (on my phone as well, but rarely use it, as web browsing on a phone is a PITA) and like it, just not used to it. Will give Chrome another look (tried it on my PC and took it off after 5 min.). The whole tablet experience is an interesting one to adapt to. I only use my phone (SG3) for calls, streaming music in my car, and navigation. Not into social media, so I want this new toy to be as useful as possible. I figure the only way to do that is to use the S^%$ out of it within the return period, and decide if it really fits me. So, web browsing in bed or when traveling would be key. Thanks to all who responded.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Dolphin is really nice. But I love the syncing and sharing of tabs between my desktop and tablet Chrome browsers. So despite Chrome being one of the slowest browsers, it's the one I use on my iPad 4, iPhone 4S, Nexus 7, Nexus 4, desktop, and laptop.

 

[Staples]

Firefox because it supports add block and last pass extensions.

But it runs a lot slower than the default Android 4.3 browser on an already slow tablet so I find myself almost always using the factory browser.

 

[Shackanaw]

Are you the guy who reviewed FF here?

I swear I just read the review this morning after reading this thread, and after lunch when I refreshed this thread, I saw your post and I thought "Gee, that looks awfully familiar."

Hahaha, yes! I do like to make my opinions known.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Hahaha, yes! I do like to make my opinions known.

Haha, well it's the first review on there, and it was the one that convinced me to try Firefox again. It's useful to have an actual comparison like you did, because most reviews just focus on positives and sometimes negatives. It's hard to see how different browsers stack up if everyone just talks about the positives.

 

[jhansman]

It's come down to FF and Chrome, both of which I like (Chrome is a bit quicker), but I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of addons for Firefox mobile, and the Chrome web store doesn't even support Android (??). How hard can it be to port some of the better ones for FF to Android (I'm thinking Tab Mix Plus, LastPass, etc.)? I ask this in all innocence, knowing nothing about programming.

 

[Shackanaw]

It's come down to FF and Chrome, both of which I like (Chrome is a bit quicker), but I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of addons for Firefox mobile, and the Chrome web store doesn't even support Android (??). How hard can it be to port some of the better ones for FF to Android (I'm thinking Tab Mix Plus, LastPass, etc.)? I ask this in all innocence, knowing nothing about programming.

Yeah, the addon support is more of a theoretical advantage. Even AdBlock Plus, which you can install, doesn't actually seem to block anything, and doesn't allow you to change the filter settings... it's fairly broken, from last I checked. Worse, their forums have several threads on the issues, but nothing seems to have been done about it in over a year.

I suspect a lot of the problem lies with the fact that on Android (or mobile in general), Firefox is far from the top browser.

 

[East56]

Chrome is my favorite Android browser.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Dolphin

 

[AstroManLuca]

Why does everyone say Chrome is fast? It's slow and it sucks. The stock browser is better, or you could try Naked Browser.

 

[you2]

I like xscope; thought it hasn't been updated in a while.

 

[Eug]

Android: Chrome. It seems the most consistent with what I'd expect from sites, which makes sense since it's the default browser for recent Android devices. I tried Dolphin and Firefox, but went back to Chrome.

iOS: Safari. It seems the most consistent with what I'd expect from sites, which makes sense since it's the default browser for iOS devices. I tried Firefox, but went back to Safari.

 

[sweenish]

Chrome for me on N7.

Although, on the N7, I haven't experimented much.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Why does everyone say Chrome is fast? It's slow and it sucks. The stock browser is better, or you could try Naked Browser.

It's not fast, but when things are "fast enough" for people, they'll say "it's fast." It's like people saying the new Google Maps is laggy. Unless my N4 is some POS that I setup incorrectly, it definitely is not 60 fps smooth and far slower than the old Maps. It's even more evident on a high resolution device like the Nexus 10. Is it "fast enough" on my Nexus 4? Yeah. But I believe that the same people who say no lag are just saying it's "fast enough."

What happens with all this is that when there's finally an update for any supposedly laggy app that speeds it up and its a huge boost, then the whole crowd will go "oh wow it's SOOOOO much faster." So then what was all that "no lag here" talk from before? BS

With that said, Chrome seems to render things the best IMO. Sometimes Dolphin just gets things wrong. The double tap to zoom doesn't work well or it just doesn't wrap text well. The browser might be faster than Chrome, but I take rendering accuracy seriously, and so yeah, unfortunately that means coming back to Chrome.

 

[lopri]

There are 3 categories of browsers for Android from my observation:

1. AOSP-based: These browsers can be further categorized into two sub groups

a) Stripped AOSP: These browsers aim for speed over functions/features, and you can usually tell them by their names (Lightning, Fast, Naked, etc,.)
b) Copy of AOSP: Typical webkit-based browsers that mimick AOSP but with twists and tweaks. Some may offer unique features that are not found in AOSP browser with log-ins (Dolphin, UC, Maxthon, etc,.)​

2. Full-fledged desktop counterpart: While they are nowhere near versatile as the real desktop browsers, but they strive to be one. Offers rich experience with add-ons and plug-ins. (Firefox, Opera, Chrome)

3. VPN-based: These are what they often call 'mini' browsers. Through server-side rendering they often reduce the data traffic to users dramatically. Best suited for very slow network or very slow hardware, for text-based pages. Notably these browsers will not work with sites require higher level of security for obvious reasons.

I use at least one in each category. I use AOSP for speed, Chrome for sync w/ desktop. But majority of my browsing takes place on Firefox and opera. Familiarity and large open-source add-on community is the major reason to use Firefox. There are lots of add-ons that can be found, and I get to choose which one I will use instead of it being bundled with the browsers. Note its performance isn't great. Just like on desktop, Firefox can feel bloated and sluggish on slower hardware and is recommended on a faster hardware (S4 Pro or higher, Tegra 3 doesn't seem to cut it) Oh, and I kind of like its use of Open Sans.

In other times, I use Opera and its off-road mode. It is not fast at first visit to a page, but from there on it gets faster and very resource-light. It is my favorite for sites with lots of text. (e.g. forums)

I have dabbled with many Webkit-based browsers, and found them attractive at times, but eventually come back to the above. Those 'light' browsers are not adequate for rendering even text-based tables (misaligned tables, incorrect text-wrap, etc.). Other Webkit browsers try to distinguish themselves with little tricks here and there, but I would find something missing anyway. Some falls victim to 'Nero Syndrome' and try to be one-stop portal which I do not welcome, some are buggy, some lack features that I like (but nowhere can I find add-ons).

 

[desura]

Chrome is surprisingly...not good...on android.

I like firefox the most on android.

 

[Shackanaw]

I do like that Chrome on tablets has a tab strip, unlike Firefox or the phone version of Chrome. I think it was a wise decision to only include it on larger screens, as well. It can be a bit slow to load if you have a lot of tabs open, at least on the first launch of the browser if you haven't used it in awhile. Or my N7 is just laggy again... sigh.

In Firefox on my tablet, I find tab switching more difficult because I am more prone to accidentally swipe a tab to close it when I actually just want to select it, which seems aggravated by the larger screen size.

On the other hand, Chrome has an odd tab switch gesture that I really only trigger by accident, and it generally switches between tabs so rapidly that it is practically useless. The gesture involves swiping from the sides of the screen, and does not trigger reliably on my Nexus 7. It's a great feature on the phone version, but the tablet version is quite broken.

Still, the Chrome swipe issue is one that I very rarely encounter, whereas accidentally closing a tab in Firefox happens fairly often. So, Chrome should ditch or improve the gesture, and Firefox should give me a tab bar. It's perhaps a bit less visually appealing, but I find it quite functional.

 

[sham63]

I use Boat on my Nexus 7.