Opera: Privater VPN Browser

A browser with ad blocking, a VPN and an AI assistant

Opera is a browser for Android that puts four things in one app: an ad blocker, a VPN, a customisable interface and the Aria AI assistant. According to the developer, it is meant to load pages faster and keep browsing more private.

It is aimed at people who want fewer ads on the sites they visit and more control over what the browser keeps. The VPN is not a separate app. It sits inside the Opera browser itself.

Blocking ads and pop-ups before they load

The built-in ad blocker removes unwanted ads and pop-ups from the pages you open. The developer says this speeds up page loading and also contributes to privacy.

Pop-ups are named alongside ads, so the blocker is the feature to use if pop-ups are the main nuisance on the sites you visit.

Browsing privately with the VPN and Private Mode

The VPN is described as no-logs and free. It encrypts your online traffic and hides your identity with one click, and you reach it directly from the browser without opening another app.

Private Mode is a browsing mode you turn on when you do not want a record kept. The developer says it lets you browse without leaving traces on the device, and that you keep control of your browsing information.

The two cover different things. The VPN handles the connection, while Private Mode handles what stays on the device.

Making images and identifying photos with Aria

Aria is the AI assistant built into Opera. You can ask it to generate images, for example for social media posts or as artistic inspiration.

Aria also does image recognition. You upload a photo, and it can tell you what it shows, help you find products in it, or transcribe notes.

Both uses are part of the browser rather than a separate app, which is how the developer presents Aria.

Customising the browser and syncing it across devices

Customisation covers wallpapers, the toolbar, and quick access to favourite sites. The developer presents these as ways to make the browser look and work the way you want.

Sync keeps your passwords, favourites and settings matched across your devices, so the same setup follows you from one device to the next.