Opera has officially released its redesigned Opera One browser on iOS after a period of beta testing. The new browser introduces several enhancements, including a bottom-placed search bar for easier navigation, quick search suggestions, and integration with the Aria AI assistant.
The bottom search bar is the default setting, but users can switch to Standard Navigation or the Fast Action Button style. Additionally, users can swipe down to bring up the search bar, similar to Spotlight search on iOS.
When typing a query, Opera now offers its own autocomplete options in chipsets below the search box, speeding up the search process. The browser has also undergone subtle design changes, such as hiding the top and bottom bars during scrolling for a full-screen view and matching the top status bar’s color to the website’s theme.
Opera is also replacing its old newsfeed with a new carousel view featuring personalized news, live scores, and product tips.
The Aria AI assistant, first launched in May 2023 and introduced to iOS in August 2023, now includes voice input and image generation capabilities with the Opera One release.
According to app analytics firm Sensor Tower, the Opera browser has been downloaded over 50 million times on iOS since 2020. However, its growth has slowed year over year, with 58%, 25%, and 4% growth in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Despite this, Opera saw a 122% increase in downloads in Q2 2024 in the EU, likely due to regulatory changes requiring iOS to offer a browser choice screen.
