Best web browser on a mobile

BaldMagic · 14-11-2007, 10:17 AM

Hi guys.

Looking for some advice.

I want to know which phone currently has the best web browser.
I recently had a T-mobile Vario III but ditched it because it was way to heavy and thought the browser was average at best. (Can't get on my works portal - which my mated N73 flies on)
Also tried my mates Samsung U600 which is very poor.

Any ideas?

Bobajobbob · 14-11-2007, 10:24 AM

iPhone has the best browser by far.

Not far behind that is Opera Mobile beta 3 (?) that can be installed on all java enabled phones so simply choose the one with the best connectivity and biggest screen.

Uridium · 14-11-2007, 10:51 AM

Depends on the content you are trying to view. the iphone browser is superb for plain HTML pages but AFAIK doesn't currently support Java or Flash

iSix · 14-11-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobajobbob

iPhone has the best browser by far.

Not far behind that is Opera Mobile beta 3 (?) that can be installed on all java enabled phones so simply choose the one with the best connectivity and biggest screen.

Assume you mean opera mini 4? fantastic browser

demo here

sim667 · 14-11-2007, 11:19 AM

I think the iphone does have the option of keeping you logged in on a VPN, but you'd have to check

It also provides a constantly on (edge) data connection which is quicker than i thought aswell as wifi

Uridium · 14-11-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSix

Assume you mean opera mini 4? fantastic browser

demo here

What does Opera give you over the standard browser on say a Nokia N95?

Autopilot · 14-11-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaldMagic

I recently had a T-mobile Vario III but ditched it because it was way to heavy and thought the browser was average at best.

Er... i hope you realise that there are several good web browsers available which you could have installed in the Vario III? Did you not try any others? The Vario III is a brilliant Windows Mobile device and it's all about the extra software you can install, just like a PC. You dont buy a PC and not install some software on it. I would have tried Opera first, nice tabbed browsing and better javascript support etc

BaldMagic · 14-11-2007, 1:34 PM

I tried to download Opera but the mini version would not install (As would not Ladbrokes mobile)
In fact everything I tried to download directly to the phone seemed to be a problem.
In the end I just got naffed off with the device. It is too heavy for my needs plus was a pain in the arse to text message, not too mention shocking battery life.
The fact that my mate could open the works portal on his N73 was the final straw, especailly as I had to pay so much for the device.

I am considering the HTC S710, as this is lighter but still has WM6.

Perhaps I should hang on for a device that will suit my needs?
Is there anything due?
Not the iphone though, that is ridiculously expensive and I am not interested in the music player. I want a fast web device that is a decent phone too.

Autopilot · 14-11-2007, 2:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaldMagic

I want a fast web device that is a decent phone too.

Unfortunately you just got rid of the best all round device on the market, so you will have to wait a while.

You could look at the N95 8GB, the original N95 stank IMO but the new one seem much more of hit - but web access is not exactly a barrel of laughs on a non-touch screen phone with just phone pad.

BaldMagic · 14-11-2007, 2:07 PM

Not got rid yet.
Still on ebay and could always pull it.

Any tips for what to install to make it more useable?

Autopilot · 14-11-2007, 2:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaldMagic

Not got rid yet.
Still on ebay and could always pull it.

Any tips for what to install to make it more useable?

Depends on you. What exactly do you personally want from it?

Bobajobbob · 14-11-2007, 2:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSix

Assume you mean opera mini 4? fantastic browser

demo here

Is it up to version 4 already? Yes that is what I mean and I agree that it is a fantastic Browser. Have used various versions of it on a number of mobiles now and cannot fault it.

BaldMagic · 14-11-2007, 2:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autopilot

Depends on you. What exactly do you personally want from it?

I want to be able to run the internet as like on my PC, I appreciate it may not be perfect but as close as.

I also wanted to download a tool to play flash, but could not find it.

Also a few games for my son to play around with would be good.

You mentioned that this is the best on the market.
How does the S710 compare to it?
I know the Kaiser has a better camera and a stylus, but what else is better?
I think the S710 may suit me better as it seems easier to text and is lighter.

fdrzrich · 14-11-2007, 3:49 PM

Head over to XDA Developers http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=377

and modaco
http://www.modaco.com/category/312/H...er-MoDaCo-com/

They have loads of apps and tweaks that can and SHOULD be installed. If you are feeling brave they have ROMs to flash the device with all the apps from the Touch installed already, and all the uneeded apps removed.

Also Opera Mini 4 is amazing - see http://www.modaco.com/content/HTC-Ka.../Opera-Mini-4/ for tips on how to install and get up and running.

iSix · 14-11-2007, 6:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

What does Opera give you over the standard browser on say a Nokia N95?

No idea what the browser on an N95 is like, so can't say...

dekoded · 14-11-2007, 6:45 PM

Surely it's Opera Mobile, not mini that you should be using on a wm5/wm6 device?

I use the Opera Mobile 8.65 beta browser on my HTC X7500 and think it's the best browser available, I tried Minimo, Netfront and PIE but all were a bit rubbish.

To be honest I still think we are maybe a year away from a mobile device that can be used to surf the web to a really good standard, most devices have either a poor browser or a slow processer.

I also have an iphone and used to own a vario II, the iphone has the best browser but obviously is hampered by lack of 3g, I found the Vario II to be too awkward to surf the web.

I'm hoping that Opera Mobile 9 will be even better on my HTC X7500.

dejongj · 14-11-2007, 8:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

What does Opera give you over the standard browser on say a Nokia N95?

1. It doesn't crash on you as often to start
2. It has the ability to format the page properly consistently which in my experience the Nokia browser does not do well at all
3. It was definitely a more useable experience all round on S60, although on my WM phone I was not that certain it was better than explorer...

But I have to say from experience the iPhone beats them all hands-down, even with just EDGE compared to 3G which in the real world versus theoretical speeds really does not feel slower. The ability to have pages properly formatted, being able to zoom in if required and out and rotate and respond to input boxes makes it so much easier and more useable...

And most of all for me, my internet banking works properly with their silly fixed format screens....

iSix · 14-11-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnie

Surely it's Opera Mobile, not mini that you should be using on a wm5/wm6 device?

I find opera mini to be faster and all round more up-to-date and "better" than opera mobile... opera mobile 9 has been promised for ages but just seems to keep being delayed. As opera mini is free I'm using it until mobile 9 is released, then I might switch back... depends if it's worth paying for over mini

dekoded · 14-11-2007, 11:05 PM

I'll have to try Opera Mini then!

As for the iphone, yes I think it has the best browser on a mobile device, however it is a bit basic with no copy and paste etc.

Interestingly I don't notice a big difference in browsing speed when using my iphone at home via wifi compared to the edge connection on t-mobile, so maybe a 3g iphone really wouldn't make much difference for browsing? would be much better for youtube though!

Autopilot · 15-11-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dejongj

1. It doesn't crash on you as often to start
2. It has the ability to format the page properly consistently which in my experience the Nokia browser does not do well at all
3. It was definitely a more useable experience all round on S60, although on my WM phone I was not that certain it was better than explorer...

...4. It cope with javascript and AJAX heavy sites better, so stuff like Gmail and Facebook etc work better.
5. Tabbed browsing is a godsend on small screens and slow connections.

sbaddison · 15-11-2007, 1:17 PM

Opera Mini 4 for me. All the beta bugs seem sorted. Good on my K850

dekoded · 15-11-2007, 1:27 PM

Well I tried Opera Mini but found that although it's better than most other mobile browsers I've tried, I still prefer Opera Mobile.

Opera Mobile has tabbed windows and also displays page content better on my screen then Opera Mini, unless there are some settings that I missed?

Opera Mini does have adjustable image quality which I like, but the page is either displayed so that alot of horizontal scrolling is required, or looks rubbish and my usual sites look barely recognisable!

There seemed to be very little difference in speed either.

Autopilot · 15-11-2007, 1:35 PM

Opera Mini is great for non-smart phones with smaller screens and limited connectivity options, such as the K850 mentioned above. The killer function of Mini is that it super compresses pages and images. If you are using a smartphone, like the N95 or Vario III then you really would be much better off with Opera Mobile (although why not have both - mini - for when you only have a slow connection available). There is a lot more to Opera Mobile than meets the eye

BaldMagic · 15-11-2007, 2:44 PM

Decided to keep my Vario III on your advice Auto, so will see how it goes.
Downloaded Opera Mini, but it keeps saying there is an error and I can't run it.
So, have downloaded Opera mobile which I have to say is much better than the IE.
Only problem is I am going to have to pay for it soon.