Samsung Internet

Last updated
Samsung Internet Browser
Developer(s) Samsung Electronics
Operating system Android, Tizen, Wear OS, and Windows
Type Web browser
Website Official website

Samsung Internet Browser (or simply Samsung Internet or S Browser [1] ) is a desktop and mobile web browser developed by Samsung Electronics, based on the open-source Chromium project. It comes pre-installed on Samsung Galaxy devices and, since 2015, has been available for download from Google Play [2] [3] for all Android devices.

Contents

Samsung estimated that it had around 400 million monthly active users in 2016. According to StatCounter, it had a market share of around 5.06% (among 69.37% for all Chrome variants) in January 2023. [4]

In November 2023, Samsung Internet was released on Microsoft Windows via the Microsoft Store. Its Windows release is currently unavailable, having been inexplicably removed from the Microsoft Store in January 2024. [5]

Engine

Around early 2013, it was decided to base the browser on Chromium, and the first Chromium-based version was shipped with the Samsung Galaxy S4 model later that year. [6]

Most of the code differences to the standard Chromium code base were introduced in order to support Samsung-specific hardware, such as Gear VR and biometric sensors. [7] [8]

Features

[14]

The Saved Pages feature has been criticized for lack of data portability, due to the pages being stored in a locked directory from which they can not be exported and backed up by the user. [15] [16]

Support

The later version (v6.2) of Samsung Internet for Android supports all Android 5.0 and above phones. [17]

Previously, (v5.0) Samsung Internet for Android was only supported on Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus phones with Android 5.0 and above. [18]

Version history

Samsung Internet replaced the stock Android browser as the default on Samsung Galaxy devices in 2012. [19]

VersionBased uponRelease dateNew features
3.0 Chromium 38Quick Access, Navigation Page, Shortcut Promotion Banner, Audio Notification, Data Saving Mode [20]
4.0Chromium 44early 2016secret mode, content cards, a floating video, a video history feature, web push, service workers, custom tabs, and a content blocker extension. [21] [22]
4.2Chromium 44October 4, 2016Iris Scanner Support in Secret Mode and Web Auto Login, Web Content Provider Extension, QR Code reader, Video Assistant, 360° Video Support [23]
5.0Chromium 51December 16, 2016web payment and an enhanced video assistant. [24] [25]
5.2Chromium 51February, 2017Samsung Dex Support, CloseBy, Web Payment-Deep integration with Samsung Pay, Progressive Web App indication badge [26]
5.4Chromium 51Beta March 2017 [27]

Stable May 2017 [28]

tab navigation with a swipe gesture, a quick menu, an enhanced navigation page (China only), and a content blocker status UI (in menu). [29]
6.0Chromium 56September 8, 2017
6.2Chromium 56October 30, 2017high contrast mode and night mode. [30] [31]
6.4Chromium 56February 19, 2018download manager and enabled Web Bluetooth by default. [32] [33]
7.0Chromium 59March 7, 2018
7.2Chromium 59June 7, 2018WebGL2, Intersection Observer, Web Assembly and Protected Browsing. [34]
7.4Chromium 59August 19, 2018authentication with Intelligent Scan, a customised Reader Mode and Download History improvements. [35]
8.0Chromium 63August, 2018
8.2Chromium 63December 21, 2018improved Download Manager, an improved Reader Mode, bug fixes and stabilization, and quick access sync via Smart Switch. [36]
9.0Chromium 67February 20, 2019One UI support [37]
9.2Chromium 67April 2, 2019removed the "video assistant" extension that was added in previous versions as a "quick menu", adding a redesigned app icon, a further redesigned user interface and respective one-handedness, Smart Anti-Tracking, an option to turn on Save All Images, as well as bug fixes and stabilization.
9.2.10.15Chromium 67May 19, 2019a +10 and -10 sec seek function for YouTube web videos, optimized RAM usage, and fixed two bugs affecting Dark Mode and the Iris auto login in DeX Mode.
9.4Chromium 67July 22, 2019a QR Code reader, a Tab manager for tablet devices, a Notification manager for Web pushes, History navigation in each tab, video autoplay control, a Rename function while doing "add to home screen", and a Pause/Resume function for "Save all images", in addition to bug fixes and stabilization. [38]
10.0Chromium 71August, 2019
10.1.00.27Chromium 71September 8, 2019Quick Access data synchronization and an even furthered refined user interface, and including bug fixes and stabilization.
10.1.01.3Chromium 71October 3, 2019fixed bugs affecting mirroring in Bookmarks, History and Saved pages for right-to-left languages and refined the user interface again.
10.2.00.53Chromium 71November 24, 2019Video assistant, a Contact us icon, a feature which allows which apps use Samsung Internet, a customizable menu, a renewed Tab manager, a once again refined user interface, an improved high contrast mode and bug fixes and stabilizations. [39]
10.2.01.10Chromium 71January 14, 2020an optional Picture-In-Picture video, fingerprint-enabled Easy sign-in in Samsung DeX stand-alone mode, an enhanced scroll capture and fixes crashes caused by certain conditions.
11.0Chromium 75February, 2020One UI 2.0 support, Credential Management API support, Browser Extensions (which require Android Marshmallow or later and a Galaxy Store account) [40]
11.1.1.52Chromium 75February 25, 2020A redesigned Go to Top button and UI, Quick access, bug fixes and stabilization, and improving performance.
11.2Chromium 75March 1, 2020Smart protection, Support for more buttons in Customize menu, Increase max number of open tabs to 99, Additional search engines, Address & card sync via Samsung Pass, News notifications (India and China), Usability enhancements for tablet devices [41]
12.0.1.47Chromium 79June 19, 2020Open links in secret mode from the context menu, more password manager apps are allowed to autofill ID and passwords, and stability and security improvements. [42]
13.0.1.64Chromium 83November 19, 2020Hide status bar option for Infinity Display, Enhanced Smart Protection, Additional gesture support in Video Assistant [43]
14.0.1.62Chromium 87Beta March 2021 [44]

Stable April 17, 2021

Security Control Panel for Enhanced Privacy, Apply device font settings to web pages (in Labs), Enhanced Smart Anti-Tracking (v3.0) [45]
15.0.2.47Chromium 90 [46] Beta July 2021 [47]

Stable August 28, 2021

Introduce Smart Protection, a technology to protect users against fingerprinting. Quick Search and Fast Navigation to make it easier to search for information from the home screen. WebXR Lighting Estimation API.
16.0.2.19Chromium 92

Stable November 26, 2021 [48]

17.0.6.9Chromium 96

Stable June 14, 2022 [49]

18.0Chromium 99Beta June 28, 2022 [50]

Stable August 6, 2022

Toolbar customization, CNAME Cloaking Protection
19.0Chromium 102Beta August 23, 2022 [51]

Stable November 1, 2022

WebXR Incubations
20.0Chromium 106Beta Dec 20, 2022

Stable February 19, 2023

Bookmarks folder search
21.0Chromium 110Beta April 18, 2023 [52]
22.0Chromium 111Stable July 14, 2023
23.0Chromium 115Stable October 18, 2023 [53] Increased number of days of History saved, support of URL auto-complete in address bar, new support for syncing tab groups
24.0Chromium 117

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxthon</span> Freeware web browser

Maxthon is a freeware web browser, created by JeffChen in Singapore. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and as Maxthon Mobile for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 8. Since version 6, Maxthon is based on Chromium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Opera web browser</span>

The history of the Opera web browser began in 1994 when it was started as a research project at Telenor, the largest Norwegian telecommunications company. In 1995, the project branched out into a separate company named Opera Software ASA, with the first publicly available version released in 1996. Opera has undergone extensive changes and improvements, and introduced notable features such as Speed Dial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opera (web browser)</span> Freeware web browser

Opera is a multi-platform web browser developed by its namesake company Opera. The current edition of the browser is based on Chromium. Opera is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. There are also mobile versions called Opera Mobile and Opera Mini. Opera users also have access to Opera News, a news app based on an AI platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Chrome</span> Web browser developed by Google

Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google. It was first released in 2008 for Microsoft Windows, built with free software components from Apple WebKit and Mozilla Firefox. Versions were later released for Linux, macOS, iOS, and also for Android, where it is the default browser. The browser is also the main component of ChromeOS, where it serves as the platform for web applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Galaxy</span> Series of Android smartphones, mobile computing device and Android applications

Samsung Galaxy is a series of computing and mobile computing devices that are designed, manufactured and marketed by Samsung Electronics. The product line includes the Samsung Samsung Galaxy S series of high-end phones, Samsung Galaxy Z series of high-end foldables, Samsung Galaxy A series of Mid-range phones, the Samsung Galaxy Book, the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab series, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds series and the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Fit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ChromeOS</span> Linux-based operating system developed by Google

ChromeOS, sometimes styled as chromeOS and formerly styled as Chrome OS, is a Linux-based operating system developed and designed by Google. It is derived from the open-source ChromiumOS, based on the Linux kernel, and uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TouchWiz</span> User interface by Samsung Electronics

TouchWiz is a discontinued user interface developed by Samsung Electronics with partners, featuring a full touch user interface. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as an operating system. TouchWiz was used internally by Samsung for smartphones, feature phones and tablet computers, and was not available for licensing by external parties. The Android version of TouchWiz also comes with the Samsung-made app store Samsung Galaxy Store. It was replaced by Samsung Experience in 2017 with the release of Android 7.1.1 “Nougat”*.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Galaxy Note (2011 smartphone)</span> Android smartphone by Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Note is an Android smartphone produced by Samsung Electronics. It was unveiled at IFA Berlin 2011 and first released in Germany in late October 2011, with other countries following afterwards. The Galaxy Note was distinguished by its unusually large form factor—later referred to using the term "phablet"—which straddled the size of the average smartphone at the time, and that of a small tablet: it features a 5.3-inch display, and is bundled with a stylus branded as the "S Pen", which can be used to navigate the device's user interface, and write or draw in supported apps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Galaxy Note 4</span> Android smartphone model with stylus by Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is an Android smartphone developed and produced by Samsung Electronics. It was unveiled during a Samsung press conference at IFA Berlin on 3 September 2014 and was released globally in October 2014 as successor to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Improvements include expanded stylus-related functionality, an optically stabilized rear camera, 1440p quad-HD filming on the front camera, significantly increased charging rate, revised multi-windowing, and fingerprint unlocking. It is the last in the Samsung Galaxy Note series with interchangeable battery. Its subsequent model, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, was unveiled on 13 August 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Gear VR</span> Virtual reality headset by Samsung

The Samsung Gear VR is a virtual reality headset developed by Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with Oculus VR, and manufactured by Samsung. The headset was released on August 21, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Edge</span> Web browser developed by Microsoft

Microsoft Edge is a proprietary cross-platform web browser created by Microsoft. Released in 2015 as part of Windows 10 and Xbox One, it was initially built with Microsoft's own proprietary browser engine, EdgeHTML, and their Chakra JavaScript engine. Later on, it was ported to Android and iOS as a fork of Google's Chromium open-source project. In late 2018, Microsoft announced it would completely rebuild Edge as a Chromium-based browser with Blink and V8 engines, which allowed the browser to be ported to macOS. The new Edge was publicly released in January 2020, and on Xbox platforms in 2021. Microsoft has since terminated security support for the original browser. Edge is also available on older Windows versions, as well as Linux.

WebXR Device API is a Web application programming interface (API) that describes support for accessing augmented reality and virtual reality devices, such as the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Google Cardboard, HoloLens, Apple Vision Pro, Magic Leap or Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR), in a web browser. The WebXR Device API and related APIs are standards defined by W3C groups, the Immersive Web Community Group and Immersive Web Working Group. While the Community Group works on the proposals in the incubation period, the Working Group defines the final web specifications to be implemented by the browsers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kubity</span> Cloud-based 3D communication tool

Kubity is a cloud-based 3D communication tool that works on desktop computers, the web, smartphones, tablets, augmented reality gear, and virtual reality glasses. Kubity is powered by several proprietary 3D processing engines including "Paragone" and "Etna" that prepare the 3D file for transfer over mobile devices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Daydream</span> Discontinued virtual reality platform by Google

Daydream is a discontinued virtual reality (VR) platform which was developed by Google, primarily for use with a headset into which a smartphone is inserted. It is available for select phones running the Android mobile operating system that meet the platform's software and hardware requirements. Daydream was announced at the Google I/O developer conference in May 2016, and the first headset, the Daydream View, was released on November 10, 2016. To use the platform, users place their phone into the back of a headset, run Daydream-compatible mobile apps, and view content through the viewer's lenses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung Experience</span> Software overlay by Samsung Electronics

Samsung Experience is a discontinued software overlay for the Android "launcher" by Samsung for its Galaxy devices running Android 7.x “Nougat” and Android 8.x “Oreo”. It was introduced in late 2016 on a beta build based on Android 7.0 “Nougat” for the Galaxy S7, succeeding TouchWiz. It has been succeeded in 2018 by One UI based on Android 9 “Pie” and later versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bixby (software)</span> Intelligent personal assistant

Bixby is a virtual assistant developed by Samsung Electronics, launched in 2017 as a replacement of the S Voice assistant. It runs on various Samsung branded appliances, primarily mobile devices but also some refrigerators. The suite includes a voice assistant known as Bixby Voice, as well as contextual search and visual search features including tools like Bixby Vision, an augmented reality camera app, Bixby Text Call, a handsfree call answer feature, and others like Bixby Routines, and Bixby Home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One UI</span> Software overlay by Samsung Electronics Limited

One UI is a user interface (UI) developed by Samsung Electronics for its Android devices running Android 9 "Pie" and later. Succeeding Samsung Experience and TouchWiz, it is designed to make using larger smartphones easier and be more visually appealing. To provide more clarity, some elements of the UI are tweaked to match colors that are based on the color of the user's phone. It was announced at Samsung Developer Conference in 2018, and was unveiled in Galaxy Unpacked in February 2019 alongside the Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Fold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Messages</span> Messaging application developed by Google

Google Messages is a text messaging software application developed by Google for its Android and Wear OS mobile operating systems, while it's also available via the Web.

crDroid is a customized fork of Android based on LineageOS. It has been pioneering in offering unofficial releases of Android 10, 11, 12.1, 13, and 14 Custom ROMs.

References

  1. ↑ "Samsung Internet Browser – Apps bei Google Play". play.google.com (in German).
  2. ↑ "Introducing Samsung Internet v6.2 stable". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  3. ↑ "Get Samsung's Internet Browser on Almost Any Android Device". Gadget Hacks. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  4. ↑ "Mobile Browser Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  5. ↑ Beri, Devesh (2024-01-15). "Samsung's browser 'Internet' mysteriously taken off the Microsoft Store". MSPoweruser. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  6. ↑ "Samsung Internet browser will get "Smart Go Next" for better form navigation, also coming to Chrome". Android Police. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  7. ↑ "Overview for Gear VR". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  8. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Gear VR Update Makes Browsing More Immersive". Samsung Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  9. ↑ "Samsung is now allowing users to install ad blockers on its phones". BGR. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  10. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Gear VR Overview". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  11. ↑ "Samsung Galaxy S6 Browser öffnet kein neues Tab – Limit von 50 erreicht". Spickipedia - Viel Interessantes auf die Schnelle gespickt (in German). Archived from the original on 2020-12-06. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  12. ↑ "Samsung Internet 4.0 rolling out to older Galaxy devices and variants running Lollipop". 9to5Google . 28 March 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  13. ↑ "eFuse & Root-Blockade – Sicherheit bei Samsung KNOX". All About Samsung (in German). 23 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Samsung Internet - Build". Samsung Developers.
  15. ↑ "samsung galaxy s 3 - Where are saved pages stored?". Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange. 2012-10-15.
  16. ↑ "Regarding saved webpages". Samsung Developers Forum. 23 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "Samsung Internet v6.2 is Now Stable, Adds Night Mode, Tracking Blocker and More". XDA Developers. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  18. ↑ "Announcing Samsung Internet 5.0". Medium. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  19. ↑ "Samsung Internet Overview". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  20. ↑ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  21. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 4.0 Release Note". Samsung Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  22. ↑ "Samsung Internet 4.0 and Cross App Boost Functionality for Galaxy Devices with Android 6.0 Marshmallow Update". Samsung Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  23. ↑ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  24. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 5.0 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  25. ↑ "Announcing Samsung Internet 5.0". Medium. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  26. ↑ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  27. ↑ "Samsung Internet Beta now available without sign up". Medium. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  28. ↑ "Announcing Samsung Internet v5.4 stable!". Medium. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  29. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 5.4 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  30. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 6.2 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  31. ↑ "Samsung Internet v6.2 Now Stable!". Medium. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  32. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 6.4 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  33. ↑ "Let's connect with Samsung Internet v6.4 stable!". Medium. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  34. ↑ "7.2 Stable is Here!". Medium. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  35. ↑ "Samsung Internet 7.4 is stable—let's check-out what's new". Medium. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  36. ↑ "8.2 Stable Release is out the Door". Medium. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  37. ↑ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  38. ↑ "9.4 is Here!". Medium. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  39. ↑ "Samsung Internet 10.2 Beta". Medium. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  40. ↑ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  41. ↑ "Samsung Internet Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  42. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 12 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  43. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 13 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  44. ↑ "Introducing Samsung Internet 14.0 Beta". Medium. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  45. ↑ "Samsung Internet for Android 14 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  46. ↑ "Samsung Internet 15 update brings a new widget and updated Chromium engine". XDA Developers. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  47. ↑ "Samsung Internet 15.0 Beta Has Arrived". Samsung Mobile Press | Samsung Mobile press Official website. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  48. ↑ "Samsung Internet Browser | Latest Version 16.0".
  49. ↑ "Samsung Internet 17.0 Puts Privacy and Security Front and Center".
  50. ↑ Appelquist, Daniel (2022-06-28). "18.0 Beta: Enhanced Privacy, Enhanced UI". Samsung Internet Developers. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  51. ↑ "Samsung Internet 19.0 Beta is Now Available".
  52. ↑ Im, Dongwoo (2023-04-18). "Samsung Internet v21.0 Beta : Enhanced customization for your convenience". Samsung Internet Developers. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  53. ↑ Joshua Im, Dongwoo (22 February 2024). "Samsung Internet v23.0 Stable, coming with enhanced security and convenience". Medium.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.