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Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
This might be the only Google Chrome alternative that could rip me away from Firefox
Andy Walker / Android Authority Choosing a web browser is a deeply personal decision, as I've learned from reading spicy comments on various forums over the years. I've been loyal to Firefox for a long time, but Mozilla's recent missteps and the browser's growing flaws have started to bitter my experience. So, I explored the Play Store for sweeter alternatives and stumbled across a potential candidate: Banana Browser. What Chromium-based browser do you use? 0 votes I use Google Chrome. NaN % I use a Google Chrome alternative (mention in comments). NaN % I don't use a Chromium browser. NaN % I'm unsure if my browser is based on Chromium or not. NaN % It's rare for me to be impressed by a Chromium browser, but here we are. Banana has been a surprisingly positive addition to my Android phone in recent weeks. It's an app I only recently discovered, even though it launched in 2020. It's a relatively mature project in that sense, and it shows. Largely devoid of tricks and gimmicks, Banana Browsers offers nearly all the features a picky Firefox user like me could want. A rather a-peeling Google Chrome alternative Banana Browser offers plenty for those seeking a Google Chrome alternative on Android, too. While it feels different, it's not too divergent. It adopts a broadly similar UI to other Chromium browsers, with a few welcome alterations. A Microsoft Edge-like bottom bar is perhaps the biggest change. It includes all the essential shortcuts and buttons I could want. The browser excels in one-handed ergonomics, with a quick overflow menu closest to my thumb at the bottom right corner of the screen. Master this menu (and rearrange it to your liking), and you'll easily zip around the browser in no time. I'll admit it takes some getting used to, but the learning curve is worth it. Banana includes built-in extensions, including Adblock, a quick DNS selector, and an excellent media player feature. Banana Browser also addresses one of my biggest pain points with Chrome on Android: extension support, albeit the extensions are integrated directly into the browser. Those on tap include Adblock, which also supports custom blocklists, a global dark mode option, and a secure DNS switcher to quickly switch between Cloudflare, OpenDNS, and others. The browser allows an external download manager to handle file grabs, and, more intriguingly, tit offers a master lock feature for added access security — a feature you don't see on many major browsers. To remain trendy in the age of AI, Banana Browser does bow to some fads. It offers quick access to ChatGPT through a shortcut button. Tapping it brings up the generative AI service's dialog for quick contextual searches and more. Sure, the button is a nice option and gives Banana an edge over Chrome, but I think it adds unnecessary bloat to the experience. Andy Walker / Android Authority Nevertheless, Banana Browser excels beyond any other browser I've used before when handling media on web pages. When selecting full screen on a video, the browser pushes it to its specialized player, which offers additional controls and viewing options beyond stock website abilities. I can swipe horizontally on the video to seek, or vertically to increase the volume. The browser also offers a control lock option to ensure I don't accidentally swipe away from the video as I'm wont to do. The experience is incredibly smooth, and I've found that Google's video experience within the browser is far friendlier than on the YouTube app itself. Watching YouTube on Banana Browser is far more enjoyable than on the YouTube app itself. Notably, it's not just YouTube that's compatible. I tested the player with Twitch, Dailymotion, and TikTok; all are supported. For YouTube specifically, the browser includes Sponsorblock support, background play capabilities, and the option to cast video to supported devices. It's remarkable how seamless this feature is. Tap the full-screen button on any platform, and the player springs into action. Mostly appetizing, but it's still a little green Andy Walker / Android Authority Despite its media player smarts, Banana Browser isn't flawless. I'm not sure it's the best Chrome alternative for those highly concerned about privacy and online security. The browser does have added features that intend to address these concerns, but I'm somewhat alarmed by the slowish development. The browser hasn't been updated in about four months — an eternity for a modern browser. For some context, Chrome is currently on version 138, while Banana uses Chromium version 133 as its base. Then there's the inclusion of ads within the browser itself. Granted, it's a single Surfshark ad within the Use secure DNS section, and I understand developers need to eat, but this feels slightly contradictory when the browser blocks content on web pages. I will admit that this ad is static and doesn't distract, pop up, or ruin the overall browser experience. However, it's worthwhile to acknowledge its existence, especially for a browser that includes 'Adblock' in its Google Play title. As a Chromium-based browser, Banana also has a few Chromium-based annoyances. As a Chromium-based browser, Banana also has a few Chromium-based annoyances. Unlike Firefox, it doesn't offer the option to add additional search engines, and some major options are missing. While I like the addition of DuckDuckGo, options like StartPage, Kagi, and Ecosia are missing. I would have loved the option to add custom engines to use ChatGPT and Perplexity from the search bar itself without tapping a toolbar icon. Again, this isn't a Banana Browser-specific flaw but one common across Chrome alternatives. Thanks to the older version of Chromium it's using, Banana also lacks the newer features you'll find on current Chrome builds, including full bottom bar support. Although the feature is still broken on Google's browser, it would've paired well with Banana's bottom-biased UI design. Andy Walker / Android Authority Finally, Banana Browser came close to winning me over with its Banana Extension settings option alone. When I first installed the browser, I thought it offered Chrome extension support similar to Microsoft Edge, but this isn't true. Many of the included extensions are those I currently use on Firefox, but I'd still appreciate more options. I love discovering new apps that force me to rethink the status quo, especially when it's a new browser. Overall, Banana Browser has left a sweet taste in my mouth. It's a wonderfully customizable portal to the web. It offers excellent ergonomic design, useful in-built extensions, and a media player that threatens the existence of YouTube and Twitch on my phone. Of all the Chromium-based browsers I've tried, Banana is perhaps the closest I've come to reconsidering Firefox as my daily driver. However, 'closest' really is the key word here. It still has minor annoyances that keep me away from Chrome-like browsers, from the lack of user-installed extension support to the lack of an actual bottom address bar design. Nevertheless, I have to give Banana Browser its plaudits, and I'm excited to see how the experience ripens over time.
Android Authority
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I absolutely love and recommend these 5 Android games to play with one hand
Tushar Mehta / Android Authority Despite hundreds of thousands of games on the Play Store, very few become comforting escapes from the harsh reality. Games that you can play anywhere and without any special skillset, with one motive: feeling relaxed instead of getting all riled up. With this in mind, I have handpicked games that require no prior experience in mobile gaming and can be picked up immediately. They don't need gaming chops and can be run on most Android phones or tablets. None of them require high-end hardware and or high-speed internet, but don't have potato-quality graphics. All of these games are free to play, though there will be some ads, mostly to earn in-game perks or accelerate progress. Which of these one-handed Android games have you tried? 0 votes Tennis Clash NaN % 2 NaN % Whiteout Survival NaN % Cell to Singularity: Evolution NaN % Mekorama NaN % None of them NaN % Tennis Clash Tushar Mehta / Android Authority I've never been good at meatspace sports, and so, I simulate feeling victorious by playing sports video games. Lately, I have been obsessed with a new sports game that I can't seem to detach myself from. Tennis Clash is extremely easy to play; once a game (of tennis) starts, all I have to do is swipe my thumb across the screen to direct the shot or tap somewhere on the court to move my player. I love the fact that those are the only two controls, and I can keep playing with one hand while using the other to organize my desk, finish up chores, or caress my dog. There's barely any learning required, and a trail of my finger's swipe ensures I hit the ball in the right direction. All matches happen against actual human players, and not bots, which makes it slightly more competitive. The game has the option to join clubs but not invite other members to a match, which is the only aspect I dislike about the game. Apart from that, Tennis Clash offers truly engaging graphics with detailed character movements, which keep me engaged in the gameplay, even with minimal input required. When I'm not actively playing, I can spend time unlocking new characters with special skills, decking them with the best gear, and easily lose track of time. 2 Tushar Mehta / Android Authority I find 2 bizarrely simple and highly addictive. The sole aim of the game is to occupy more territory by simply navigating a colorful cube across a plain white 2D map, starting from a small area and making closed loops of movement to envelop more space. Although I found steering the cube around by sliding my thumb across the screen slightly challenging initially, especially since there's no virtual joystick, I was able to adapt quickly. While there is practically no graphic element other than the cubes and the surface they move on, the developer makes them engaging by embellishing these cubes with happy colors and interesting textures. In the image above, you see my cube is inspired by donut dressing, and that alone hacks my brain not to leave the game. But what has me truly hooked is the competitive gameplay; I have to be careful while treading on other people's territory or risk being easily eliminated, which happens when someone circles me or cuts off my trail before completing the loop. It's not the ease of playing but, in fact, the ease of getting eliminated that keeps me engaged. The embedded Super Mario effect makes me start another game immediately after. I can even brave through 30-second video ads, which, unfortunately, occur after every game, despite the displeasure. Since the only objective is to drive the cube around, I can play it with just one thumb or finger. Whiteout Survival Tushar Mehta / Android Authority Whiteout Survival is a city-building game with interesting elements. I'm certain it was borne out of Clash of Clans' frenzy and works similarly, except here, the clashing clans comprise humans living in frigid wilderness instead of beasts. But because it has human characters, the 'survival' aspect remains paramount. As the chief of your village, I ensure that everyone is warm, well-fed, and employed, constantly upgrade their living quarters, replace food with more nutritious ingredients, and rotate workers. Although my rating as a chief depends on my pupils' happiness, I wouldn't deny that being in control feels great even without it. Once in a while, I see complaints or rants in the mailbox, but so long as I address them, the village thrives. Although the game also has the option to explore the nearby areas and try to conquer them using a separate army, I don't like war and instead engage in ensuring healthy diplomatic ties with nearby villages. I also like being able to zoom into the tiny characters and observe them go about their routine. I treat them with special suppers once in a while to show my benevolence. I started playing it casually, but before I knew, I found myself taking active steps to ensure the prosperity and contentment of those tiny animated characters. Cell to Singularity: Evolution Tushar Mehta / Android Authority A few years ago, I randomly stumbled upon Cell to Singularity and subsequently spent the next several weeks playing this game exclusively every time I used my phone. While I'm not proud, I can't deny the game's addictive nature. In fact, I find it less suited to the description of a game, and more akin to an amalgamation of various science and psychology experiments. I like Cell to Singularity because I get to simulate an entire universe, which originates from a single cell organism in a petri dish. There's little player input for growing organisms, as most of the developments are automated. However, tapping with one hand increases activity in the system and eventually unlocks more organisms when there is enough currency (expressed as 'entropy'). It includes multiple milestones, as when organs combine to form an organism, the first time an arthropod walks out of water, the first flying dinosaur appears, multiple asteroids strike the prehistoric Earth, and the human race eventually appears. Each of these milestones features a beautiful cinematic cut scene, which I find to be the most gratifying part of the game. There are multiple concurrent realms, and I enjoy the level of control that comes with combining inorganic compounds to form more complex proteins, checking on the supercomputer running the simulation, or even fiddling with elements on Earth with the eventual goal of reaching the singularity. Every time I commit to this game, I quit without feeling enchanted by its unique approach. Mekorama Tushar Mehta / Android Authority I don't believe I have ever played a game more meditative than Mekorama. It's essentially an isometric puzzle game where you guide the robot through a complex and peculiar building. The giddy robot that displays jiggly body physics based on how you move it. While its gameplay might remind you of Monument Valley or Lara Croft GO, Mekorama lacks any melancholic elements, which I enjoy less about those games. All levels here are non-identical and get progressively more challenging, requiring me to spend several minutes or even hours trying to unstuck myself. For a game that's nearly a decade old, Mekorama has excellent graphics, which is also why it was later ported to Xbox One, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. It even features a builder mode that lets you create custom levels. The most exciting aspect is that Mekorama works without an internet connection, so it can be played on a flight from takeoff to landing. I say this because I have done it at least a couple of times. I share recommendations after having spent dozens of hours playing these simple yet enchanting games personally. I am also curious to learn about the best Android games you have found and loved that offer a one-handed experience. Tell me if you enjoy any of these and share your favorites in the comments below!
