Samsung Internet Browser
Developer(s)Samsung Electronics
Operating systemAndroid, Tizen, Wear OS, and Windows
TypeWeb browser
WebsiteOfficial 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.

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

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2023)

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

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2023)

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

This section is missing information about version information prior to Chromium. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (July 2023)

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

Version Based upon Release date New features
3.0 Chromium 38 Quick Access, Navigation Page, Shortcut Promotion Banner, Audio Notification, Data Saving Mode[20]
4.0 Chromium 44 early 2016 secret mode, content cards, a floating video, a video history feature, web push, service workers, custom tabs, and a content blocker extension.[21][22]
4.2 Chromium 44 October 4, 2016 Iris Scanner Support in Secret Mode and Web Auto Login, Web Content Provider Extension, QR Code reader, Video Assistant, 360° Video Support[23]
5.0 Chromium 51 December 16, 2016 web payment and an enhanced video assistant.[24][25]
5.2 Chromium 51 February, 2017 Samsung Dex Support, CloseBy, Web Payment-Deep integration with Samsung Pay, Progressive Web App indication badge[26]
5.4 Chromium 51 Beta 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]
6.0 Chromium 56 September 8, 2017
6.2 Chromium 56 October 30, 2017 high contrast mode and night mode.[30][31]
6.4 Chromium 56 February 19, 2018 download manager and enabled Web Bluetooth by default.[32][33]
7.0 Chromium 59 March 7, 2018
7.2 Chromium 59 June 7, 2018 WebGL2, Intersection Observer, Web Assembly and Protected Browsing.[34]
7.4 Chromium 59 August 19, 2018 authentication with Intelligent Scan, a customised Reader Mode and Download History improvements.[35]
8.0 Chromium 63 August, 2018
8.2 Chromium 63 December 21, 2018 improved Download Manager, an improved Reader Mode, bug fixes and stabilization, and quick access sync via Smart Switch.[36]
9.0 Chromium 67 February 20, 2019 One UI support[37]
9.2 Chromium 67 April 2, 2019 removed 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.
9.2.10.15 Chromium 67 May 19, 2019 a +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.
9.4 Chromium 67 July 22, 2019 a 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]
10.0 Chromium 71 August, 2019
10.1.00.27 Chromium 71 September 8, 2019 Quick Access data synchronization and an even furthered refined user interface, and including bug fixes and stabilization.
10.1.01.3 Chromium 71 October 3, 2019 fixed bugs affecting mirroring in Bookmarks, History and Saved pages for right-to-left languages and refined the user interface again.
10.2.00.53 Chromium 71 November 24, 2019 Video 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]
10.2.01.10 Chromium 71 January 14, 2020 an 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.
11.0 Chromium 75 February, 2020 One UI 2.0 support, Credential Management API support, Browser Extensions (which require Android Marshmallow or later and a Galaxy Store account)[40]
11.1.1.52 Chromium 75 February 25, 2020 A redesigned Go to Top button and UI, Quick access, bug fixes and stabilization, and improving performance.
11.2 Chromium 75 March 1, 2020 Smart 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]
12.0.1.47 Chromium 79 June 19, 2020 Open 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]
13.0.1.64 Chromium 83 November 19, 2020 Hide status bar option for Infinity Display, Enhanced Smart Protection, Additional gesture support in Video Assistant[43]
14.0.1.62 Chromium 87 Beta 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]
15.0.2.47 Chromium 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.
16.0.2.19 Chromium 92

Stable November 26, 2021[48]

17.0.6.9 Chromium 96

Stable June 14, 2022[49]

18.0 Chromium 99 Beta June 28, 2022[50]

Stable August 6, 2022

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

Stable November 1, 2022

WebXR Incubations
20.0 Chromium 106 Beta Dec 20, 2022

Stable February 19, 2023

Bookmarks folder search
21.0 Chromium 110 Beta April 18, 2023[52]
22.0 Chromium 111 Stable July 14, 2023
23.0 Chromium 115 Stable 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
24.0 Chromium 117
25.0 Chromium 121 Attribution reporting (experimental, requires flag to enable)

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.

External links

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