Smartphone users Xiaomi i Redmi often face a dilemma: whether to use a pre-installed browser or install a third-party solution from Google Play. Ecosystem MIUI and new HyperOS offer many built-in functions, but they do not always meet the needs of advanced users. The issue of performance and privacy is especially acute on devices in the mid-range and budget segment, where every megabyte of RAM counts.
In this article we will analyze in detail whether Which browser is better is suitable for the architecture of your gadgets. We will take into account the optimization features of processors Snapdragon and MediaTek, as well as the impact of the shell on the operation of background processes. Choosing the right tool for surfing can significantly extend the battery life of your device.
Features of browsers in the MIUI and HyperOS shell
Shells from Xiaomi have a specific energy management system that aggressively “kills” background processes. Standard MIUI Browser is deeply integrated into the system, which gives it advantages in launch speed, but often raises questions about telemetry collection. Third-party applications such as Chrome or Firefox, require correct permission settings in order to work stably.
Many users complain that tabs in third-party browsers are unloaded from memory too quickly. This is due to the fact that the system prioritizes system applications. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings and select the option No restrictions for your chosen browser. Without this step, even the most powerful engine will work intermittently.
It is important to note that the built-in browser often uses a system component Android System WebViewthat is updated independently of the application itself. This means that security vulnerabilities can be closed faster than in standalone browsers with their own engines. However, custom solutions offer more flexible configuration of the interface and ad blockers.
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party browsers on new Redmi models with HyperOS, the system may several times ask for confirmation to install applications from unknown sources, even if you download them from the official store. This is a new security measure that cannot be ignored.
Why does the built-in browser consume less power?
The built-in browser uses optimized system libraries that are already loaded into memory. Third-party browsers have to load their own rendering engines, which creates an additional load on the processor and RAM at the time of launch.
Top popular browsers: comparison of speed and features
There are many solutions on the market, but for the platform Android several key players remain the leaders. Google Chrome is de facto standard, providing better synchronization with your Google account. However, it is known for its high RAM consumption, which can be critical for Redmi models with 4 GB of RAM or less.
Mozilla Firefox offers unique support for extensions, which allows you to turn the mobile browser into a powerful tool for blocking trackers and scripts. This is especially true for users who value privacy. Engine GeckoView works differently than the standard Chromium, which sometimes provides advantages in displaying complex web pages.
Browsers based on Chromiumsuch as Opera and Vivaldioffer built-in traffic saving features and convenient toolbars. Opera, for example, has a built-in free VPN and a data saving mode that compresses pages before loading. This can be a lifesaver when using mobile networks with limited traffic.
- 🚀 Download speed: Chrome and Edge show the best results in the JetStream benchmarks.
- 🛡️ Privacy: Firefox and Brave lead in the number of built-in ad blockers.
- 🔋 Energy efficiency: Samsung Internet and Opera Mini consume the least resources in the background.
- 🎨 Customization: Vivaldi allows you to change the location of the address bar and menu beyond recognition.
Analysis of the built-in Mi Browser
Pre-installed Mi Browser often causes mixed feelings among users. On the one hand, it is perfectly optimized for hardware Xiaomi and supports the function video box for viewing content in a floating window. On the other hand, the abundance of news and advertising recommendations on the start page irritates many.
However, its functionality cannot be denied. It has a built-in virus scanner from Avast or AVG (depending on the region), as well as a powerful file downloader that supports resuming. For users who often download files via the mobile data, this is a strong argument in favor of a native application.
If you are concerned about privacy, Mi Browser settings allow you to turn off ad personalization and usage data collection. The path to these settings is usually hidden in the Settings → Privacy and Securitysection. Disabling these features makes the browser much cleaner and faster.
| Browser | Engine | Ad blocking | Extensions | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Blink | No (extensions required) | No | Google Account |
| Firefox | GeckoView | Built-in | Yes (uBlock, etc.) | Firefox Account |
| Mi Browser | Blink | Partial | No | Mi Account |
| Brave | Chromium | Built-in (Brave Shields) | No | Brave Sync |
⚠️ Attention: Interface and feature set of the built-in browser may vary depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EEA). In Chinese versions, the functionality is often wider, but contains more advertising content.
Tuning performance and saving traffic
For owners of Redmi smartphones with limited memory, correct cache settings are critical. Most modern browsers have a “Light” or “Data Saver” mode that is worth activating. This reduces the quality of images on sites, but significantly speeds up page loading on 3G and 4G networks.
It is also recommended to limit the number of simultaneous tabs. Although Android allows you to keep dozens of pages open, in practice this leads to interface slowdowns and rapid battery drain. In the settings of most browsers, you can set a limit, for example, 10-15 tabs, after which old ones will be closed automatically.
Using hardware acceleration is another important parameter. It's enabled by default, but on older Redmi models (Note 7, 8 series and earlier), disabling it can make page scrolling smoother by shifting the load from the GPU to the CPU. You can find this option in the advanced settings of the section System or Performance.
☑️ Optimizing the browser for weak hardware
If your smartphone starts to get warm when watching a video in the browser, try disabling the "Hardware acceleration" function in the video player settings of a specific site or the browser itself.
Data security and protection from trackers
The issue of security on the mobile data is more pressing than ever. Standard browsers often share data about your visits with advertising networks. Using solutions with built-in protection, such as Brave or customized Firefox, allows you to block cross-site trackers at the page loading stage.
It is also important to pay attention to support for modern encryption protocols, such as TLS 1.3. All current browsers in the store Play Market support this standard, ensuring data protection when entering passwords and payment information. Outdated versions of browsers installed via APK files from third-party resources may not have these updates.
For maximum protection, it is recommended to use incognito mode not only to hide history, but also to isolate sessions. Some browsers allow you to create separate profiles for work and personal use, which prevents cookies and login data from mixing.
⚠️ Warning: Built-in password managers in browsers are convenient, but less secure than specialized applications like Bitwarden or KeePass. If you store critical data in your browser, be sure to set a master password for logging into the browser itself.
Advanced features and hidden settings
Many users do not know what is in browsers based on Chromium (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Kiwi) hidden powerful tools for developers and advanced users. They can be accessed through a special address in the URL bar. For example, in Chrome this is the page chrome://flags.
Here you can force a dark theme for all sites, even if the site developers did not provide it. The function is called Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents. You can also experiment with caching settings and parallel loading of resources, which theoretically can speed up the opening of heavy portals.
However, you should be careful: changing unknown flags can lead to unstable operation of the application or its complete crash. Before making changes, it is recommended to remember the original values or take a screenshot of the settings screen.
chrome://flags/#enable-parallel-downloadingThis command activates parallel file downloading, which can increase the speed of downloading large amounts of data by 2-3 times with a stable connection. On Redmi smartphones with a fast Wi-Fi module, this option gives a noticeable performance boost.
Using the flags page allows you to unlock the hidden potential of the browser, but requires caution: do not enable experimental features if you do not understand their purpose.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why Does Xiaomi's built-in browser open links instead of my chosen Chrome?
This is due to the default application settings in MIUI. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Chrome → Open by default and click “Remove default settings”. Then, the next time you open the link, select Chrome and confirm the action.
How to completely remove the built-in Mi Browser without root access?
Complete removal of a system application is impossible without rights superuser. However, you can disable it by going to the app settings and selecting the Disable button. You can also hide its icon from the desktop by holding your finger on the icon and dragging it to the “Hide” menu.
Which browser best saves battery on Redmi Note?
Opera Mini (due to data compression on servers) and Samsung Internet (due to excellent engine optimization) are considered the most energy efficient. For everyday use with a balance of speed and energy, Brave with power saving mode turned on is good.
Can you install extensions from the Chrome Web Store on your phone?
In standard mobile Chrome, installing extensions is not possible. To do this, you need to use special Chromium-based browsers, such as Kiwi Browser or Lemur Browser, which support installing extensions from the Chrome store directly.
Why does the video in the browser slow down, although everything works in the YouTube application?
The problem is probably in the codec or hardware acceleration. Try clearing your browser cache or switching the rendering engine in the settings (if there is such an option). Also check if the power saving mode is enabled in the Android system itself, which limits the frequency of the processor.