Opera has introduced a new Data Saver mode to its One browser on iOS, promising to shrink data usage by up to 80% by compressing images and text server-side before they reach the user’s device. The “optional” feature includes a dashboard so users can see exactly how much data they’ve saved when browsing.
Surging growth alongside the feature launch
This update arrives as Opera marks a 20% year-over-year increase in monthly active users on iOS in its last reported month, largely driven by gains in Asia and Africa, with particularly strong growth in the US (up 46%) and in Europe. That’s well ahead of the 16% growth Opera noted on desktop for the same period, when the company also revealed it now exceeds 100 million monthly active users across all platforms.
What Data Saver brings—and what to watch out for
Data Saver operates by compressing both images and text through Opera’s servers, trimming data transfer before it ever hits your iPhone or iPad. Opera emphasizes this mode is not enabled by default; users must turn it on, and can track cumulative savings over time. The feature is designed to help when roaming, using expensive prepaid plans, or simply when your connection is sluggish.
Privacy details are sparse in today’s announcement. Opera explicitly states the savings dashboard is visible and that users can toggle Data Saver off, but how much user data or browsing content may be exposed or stored during compression wasn’t clarified.
This move follows a growing trend among browsers to offer efficient data usage—especially important in regions with pricey data plans or unreliable connectivity. Opera’s push here clearly aims to appeal to those audiences, while retaining its global footprint.
All in all, the feature adds new value to Opera One for iOS, especially if you often find yourself struggling with limited data or slow network speeds. It remains to be seen how competitors will respond—and whether Opera’s handling of compression aligns with users’ expectations for privacy and control.
From a broader perspective, this release underscores how browser makers are now pitching themselves not just on speed or privacy, but also on how much data you keep in your wallet. If Opera’s numbers hold, Data Saver could become a must-have in mobile browsing. Watch for updates around privacy policy details, performance trade-offs, and how competing browsers might implement similar features next.
