Opera muscle its iOS browser to attract iPhone users and divert them from Safari

Opera Strengthens Its iOS Browser to Attract iPhone Users Away from Safari

Opera is clearly aiming to encourage iPhone users to make its browser their default app. To achieve this, the company focuses on two key aspects: advanced tab management tools and extensive user experience customization.

The new tab management system from Opera for iOS is touted as “the most advanced on the market.”

A keyword search function allows users to quickly find specific tabs, while a swipeable carousel provides smooth navigation between standard tabs, tabs synced from other devices, and private sessions.

Aim: Avoid “Tab Overload” Anxiety that Often Discourages Mobile Users

Opera now allows users to select which features to display on the main screen, keeping their favorite tools easily accessible. The AI assistant Aria has been moved to the center of the bottom bar for direct access; depending on the request, it relies on either GPT-4o or Gemini 2.0.

The home screen also features thematic wallpapers, while the carousel on the home page displays a dynamic stream of news and live football scores.

Why Switch to Opera?

While Safari relies on its deep integration with iOS, Opera aims to captivate users with distinctive features: faithful site rendering like on desktop, smoother navigation between multiple tabs, built-in AI, and visual customization.

As Jona Bolin, product manager at Opera, explains: “Some say we may have gone too far with tabs. Perhaps, but we know how to manage them.”