[1]Last week I reviewed Boat Browser [2], and while I said that it was a great browser, it didn’t stack up to my favorite Android browser, Dolphin Browser Mini. Dolphin Browser Mini is the lightest, fastest, most fluid Webkit-based browser I’ve ever used. It’s filled with wonderful features and is just a great web browser overall.
What is it and what does it do
Main Functionality
Dolphin Browser Mini is a web browser for the Android platform,based upon Webkit. Dolphin Browser Mini makes easy work of loading webpages, playing videos, and even has built-in Flash support (but for Froyo devices only).
Take note Dolphin Browser Mini is different from Dolphin Browser. Dolphin Browser is the full Dolphin Browser (also known as Dolphin Browser HD), while Mini is the, well, mini version. Both are free but Dolphin Browser Mini is lighter and faster while still having the main core features.
Pros
- Speed dial homepage
- No advertisements (no ads by the developer of Dolphin — you will still see ads on websites)
- Allows for infinite tabs
- Excellent copy/paste/select feature
- Gestures
- Customizable gestures
- Tool box
- Can detect RSS feeds
- Very responsive UI
- Fast page loading
- Powerful bookmark manager, with sync support
- Supports add-ons, one of which is an ad-blocker
- Google services support
- Browser themes
- Can cache to SD
Cons
- Not many skins to choose from
- Dolphin Mini’s user interface isn’t as good looking as Dolphin Browser’s user interface
- No import from .html feature for bookmark
Discussion
[3]I’ve always been the type of person to use a web browser over an app if I think the app is terrible. So it’s important that I find a great browser. Fortunately I found Dolphin Browser Mini. I love this browser. It’s probably (in my opinion) the best browser on Android for what you get. I’m more talking about Dolphin in general, however, I like Dolphin Mini the best.
If you know anything about my reviews, I’m a huge fan of lightweight programs. As far as I’m concerned a lightweight program that surprises me with great features is more interesting than a bloated, heavy program that isn’t very compelling. When it comes to lightweight apps, it’s safe to say that I’m a big fan.
That’s why I love Dolphin Mini so much. It has most, if not all of the features of the regular Dolphin Browser (formerly Dolphin HD). When it comes to features, I absolutely love gestures. What I love even more is the fact that I can make my own gestures. Gestures for any function of the browser. Now, gestures aren’t anything new and its something that is pretty much standard on a touch based browser, but Dolphin Mini executes it so well. I’m also a pretty big fan of the Google bookmark support. I like to have my bookmarks backed up, and Dolphin Mini having this makes everything a ton easier. Of course, Dolphin Mini has it’s own bookmark sync, but I prefer the Google service.
Now, not everything about Dolphin Browser Mini is perfect, but I have very little critiques of the app. It was very disappointing that I wasn’t allowed to export my bookmarks from my desktop browser. I was hoping I could place it on my micro-SD card and from there select ‘import/export’. This is a standard option for most, if not all current web browsers on the market.
All in all I really like Dolphin Mini, and I use it every day. It’s not getting uninstalled any time soon. Though it’s not perfect, I’m really impressed with it.. I have a hard time finding anything else that is better, and seeing what my other choices are, I’m not switching any time soon.
Conclusion and download link
If you want the features that Dolphin Browser (formerly Dolphin HD) has, but you’re not a fan of the flash and flair, you need to give Dolphin Browser Mini a shot. It is the faster and lighter version of Dolphin Browser but still has most of the same features. It’s a very responsive and impressive browser. Everyone should at least check this browser out, if not use it forever. Yes, I just said forever.
Price: Free
Version reviewed: 2.3
Requires: 1.6 and up
Download size: 1,014 KB