Quick Take: Opera's first WebKit-based Android beta marked a major shift away from the company's older Presto engine.
Opera Software introduced its first WebKit-based Opera Browser Beta for Android, marking a major shift away from the company's long-running Presto rendering engine.
The move helped Opera improve website compatibility while keeping its focus on speed, efficiency, and mobile-friendly browsing.
Key Takeaways
- Opera's first Android beta built on a WebKit-based engine.
- Replaced the older Presto rendering engine.
- Introduced a redesigned Android-native interface.
- Focused on improved site compatibility and faster browsing.
- Available as a free beta through Google Play.
Download Information
Price
Free
Requirements
Varies with device
Channel
Beta Release
What's New
- Completely redesigned interface using Android's native UI.
- New WebKit-based rendering engine for improved website compatibility.
- Better support for modern web pages and web apps.
- Improved performance for browsing over Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G networks.
Why This Update Mattered
Opera's move from Presto to WebKit was one of the biggest changes in the browser's history. Presto had powered Opera products for years, but WebKit gave the Android browser better compatibility with the modern web.
This beta helped lay the foundation for the Opera browser experience that followed on Android and desktop.