The world’s lightest browser just got a lot smarter.
Opera has officially rolled out its Aria AI assistant to Opera Mini users on Android, marking a major upgrade for millions of users, especially in regions where device performance and data savings matter most.
Designed to help users access smarter search, real-time news, subject learning, and even AI image generation, Aria blends the power of multiple large language models — including tech from OpenAI and Google — to deliver relevant answers on the go.
“AI is rapidly becoming an integral part of the daily internet experience,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “Bringing Aria to Opera Mini is a natural addition to our most-downloaded browser.”
Launched in 2005, Opera Mini has long been a favorite among users with budget smartphones and limited data plans. The company claims the new AI assistant integrates seamlessly without bloating the app’s size or compromising its trademark data-saving features.
Beyond just smart replies and search help, Aria can assist with everything from fact-checking and summarizing content to creating AI-generated images, offering a more modern browsing experience inside a lean, mobile-first package.
Opera Mini’s global footprint is huge:
- Over 1 billion downloads on Android.
- More than 100 million active users worldwide.
- 7.1 million new downloads this year alone, according to Appfigures.
For many users, especially in emerging markets, Opera Mini is often bundled with local telco data deals. The company has previously offered free data programs in partnership with telecoms, although some of these — like the Kenya free-data offer — have since been phased out following new ad-related restrictions.
This expansion of AI to Opera Mini is part of Opera’s broader push into AI-first features. Beyond Aria, the company has been actively experimenting with new tools like natural language tab management and autonomous task completion via AI-powered operators.
With Aria now embedded in Opera Mini, users around the world can expect a smarter, more efficient browsing experience — without the heavy data or hardware requirements.
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