Samsung Internet

Samsung Internet Browser (or simply Samsung Internet or S Browser[1]) is a mobile web browser for 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. It is also available for their Tizen-based smartwatch via the Galaxy Store.

Samsung Internet Browser
Developer(s)Samsung Electronics
Operating systemAndroid and Tizen
TypeWeb browser
WebsiteOfficial website

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]

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.[5]

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.[6][7]

Features
  • Content blocking extensions[8]
  • Gear VR and DeX integration[9]
  • KNOX Support
  • Tabbed browsing with up to 99 tabs, where opening the 100th tab closes the earliest tab.[10]
  • Bookmark Synchronization
  • Ad Blocking
  • Reading Mode
  • Saved Pages
  • "Secret mode" and biometric authentication[11] (unavailable in Knox-tripped devices, which is disabled by eFuse hardware upon unlocking the bootloader[12])
  • Secure Web Auto Login
  • S Pen features
  • Find on pages
  • Support for service workers and Push API
  • Dark Mode
  • Customize Menu
  • Video Assistant
  • QR code scanner
  • Smart anti tracking

[13]

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.[14][15]

Support

The later version (v6.2) of Samsung Internet for Android supports all Android 5.0 and above phones.[16]

Previously, (v5.0) Samsung Internet for Android was only supported on Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus phones with Android 5.0 and above.[17]

Version history

Samsung Internet replaced the stock Android browser as the default on Samsung Galaxy devices in 2012.[18]

Version Chromium version Release date Notes
Version 4 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.[19][20]
Version 5 Chromium 51 December 16, 2016 web payment and an enhanced video assistant.[21][22]
Version 5.4 Chromium 51 Beta March 2017[23]

Stable May 2017[24]

 tab navigation with a swipe gesture, a quick menu, an enhanced navigation page (China only), and a content blocker status UI (in menu).[25]
Version 6.2 Chromium 56 October 30, 2017 high contrast mode and night mode.[26][27]
Version 6.4 Chromium 56 February 19, 2018 download manager and enabled Web Bluetooth by default.[28][29]
Version 7.2 Chromium 59 June 7, 2018 WebGL2, Intersection Observer, Web Assembly and Protected Browsing.[30]
Version 7.4 Chromium 59 August 19, 2018 authentication with Intelligent Scan, a customised Reader Mode and Download History improvements.[31]
Version 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.[32]
Version 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.
Version 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.
Version 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.[33]
Version 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.
Version 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.
Version 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.[34]
Version 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.
Version 11.1.1.52 Chromium 75 February 25, 2020 Browser Extensions, (which require Android Marshmallow or later and a Galaxy Store account), a redesigned Go to Top button and UI, Quick access, bug fixes and stabilization, and improving performance.
Version 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.[35]
Version 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[36]
Version 14.0.1.62 Chromium 87 Beta March 2021[37]

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)[38]
Version 15.0.2.47 Chromium 90 Beta July 2021[39]

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.
Version 16.0.2.19 Chromium 92

Stable November 26, 2021[40]
Version 17.0.6.9 Chromium 96

Stable June 14, 2022[41]
Version 18.0 Chromium 99 Beta June 28, 2022[42]

Stable August 6, 2022

 Toolbar customization, CNAME Cloaking Protection
Version 19.0 Chromium 102 Beta August 23, 2022[43]

Stable November 1, 2022

 WebXR Incubations
Version 20.0 Chromium 106 Beta Dec 20, 2022

Stable February 19, 2023

 Bookmarks folder search
Version 21.0 Chromium 110 Beta April 18, 2023[44]
Version 22.0 Chromium 111 Stable July 14, 2023

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. "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.
  6. "Overview for Gear VR". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  7. "Samsung Internet for Gear VR Update Makes Browsing More Immersive". Samsung Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  8. "Samsung is now allowing users to install ad blockers on its phones". BGR. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  9. "Samsung Internet for Gear VR Overview". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  10. "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.
  11. "Samsung Internet 4.0 rolling out to older Galaxy devices and variants running Lollipop". 9to5Google. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  12. "eFuse & Root-Blockade – Sicherheit bei Samsung KNOX". All About Samsung (in German). 23 October 2013.
  13. "Samsung Internet - Build". Samsung Developers.
  14. "samsung galaxy s 3 - Where are saved pages stored?". Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange. 2012-10-15.
  15. "Regarding saved webpages". Samsung Developers Forum. 23 June 2020.
  16. "Samsung Internet v6.2 is Now Stable, Adds Night Mode, Tracking Blocker and More". XDA Developers. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  17. "Announcing Samsung Internet 5.0". Medium. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  18. "Samsung Internet Overview". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  19. "Samsung Internet for Android 4.0 Release Note". Samsung Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  20. "Samsung Internet 4.0 and Cross App Boost Functionality for Galaxy Devices with Android 6.0 Marshmallow Update". Samsung Newsroom. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  21. "Samsung Internet for Android 5.0 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  22. "Announcing Samsung Internet 5.0". Medium. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  23. "Samsung Internet Beta now available without sign up". Medium. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  24. "Announcing Samsung Internet v5.4 stable!". Medium. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  25. "Samsung Internet for Android 5.4 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  26. "Samsung Internet for Android 6.2 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  27. "Samsung Internet v6.2 Now Stable!". Medium. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  28. "Samsung Internet for Android 6.4 Release Note". Samsung Developers. Archived from the original on 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  29. "Let's connect with Samsung Internet v6.4 stable!". Medium. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  30. "7.2 Stable is Here!". Medium. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  31. "Samsung Internet 7.4 is stable—let's check-out what's new". Medium. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-15.
  32. "8.2 Stable Release is out the Door". Medium. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  33. "9.4 is Here!". Medium. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  34. "Samsung Internet 10.2 Beta". Medium. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-09.
  35. "Samsung Internet for Android 12 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  36. "Samsung Internet for Android 13 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  37. "Introducing Samsung Internet 14.0 Beta". Medium. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  38. "Samsung Internet for Android 14 Release Notes". Samsung Developers. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  39. "Samsung Internet 15.0 Beta Has Arrived". Samsung Mobile Press | Samsung Mobile press Official website. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  40. "Samsung Internet Browser | Latest Version 16.0".
  41. "Samsung Internet 17.0 Puts Privacy and Security Front and Center".
  42. Appelquist, Daniel (2022-06-28). "18.0 Beta: Enhanced Privacy, Enhanced UI". Samsung Internet Developers. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
  43. "Samsung Internet 19.0 Beta is Now Available".
  44. Im, Dongwoo (2023-04-18). "Samsung Internet v21.0 Beta : Enhanced customization for your convenience". Samsung Internet Developers. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
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