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Maxthon Android Web Browser

Maxthon browser for Android - How universal is it really?

by Jay O. on Mar 12, 2011 10:10:09 PM — read 4,263 times

TAGS: Apps, Browser,

Tested version: 1.1.4
Latest version: 2.6.2
Requires Android: from 1.6

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Summary

I’ve tried out a fair amount of browsers for Android, but after a mere few days I toss them out and go back to my trusty old standard browser which has served me so well on my Nexus One. In this review you’ll find out whether the Maxthon browser for Android has secured a place on my phone and in my heart.

Features & Use

Section rating:

Test device: Nexus One
Android-Version: 2.3.3
Mods: None


Judging by the description, it would seem that the Maxthon browser for Android has quite a lot to offer:


• Synching with the desktop version
• RSS-Reader
• Speed-Dial
• Download-Manager
• 'Super-Gesture'
• Tabbed-Browsing
• High speed
• Personalisation


Synchronisation works flawlessly—but it’s limited to bookmarks. Firefox is a step ahead as it also synchs your browsing history… such a function would be a welcome addition to the Maxthon browser.


The RSS-Reader didn’t perform quite as well, unfortunately. The browser didn’t cope well with XML-Feeds and didn’t display feeds for Endgadget or iBash. The AndroidPIT RSS feed was displayed without fault, however.
Feeds can be added easily, which is good. Maxthon automatically searches websites for feeds; an indicator in the URL bar alerts you whenever feeds are found. A simple tap suffices and you’re subscribed—nice and easy, just the way we like it.


Speed Dialer displays your favourite websites (which you set yourself) in an orderly fashion. A 3x3 raster displays a preview of the websites using small images. Use the button on the bottom left to access the Speed Dialer when you open up a new tab.
I like this “tabbed browsing” a lot—Android standard browser, take note! Zapping from one website to the other has never been so fast and easy. You get the picture…


If you’ve tried out a few Android Browsers and have used download managers before you will pretty much have gotten the gist of it by now. Maxthon’s download manager is just like any other, so I won’t elaborate.


I had to dig deep to find the Gestures. You’ll find instructions regarding gestures under Menu/More/Help. I was annoyed to see that gestures are activated per default, and every time you touch your screen it leaves a yellow trace. “Super Gestures” are, in fact, rather limited: there are less than 5 of them. You can jump to the previous tab, the next one, open up a new tab, close the one you’re currently looking at or recover an old one. There’s room for improvement here, for instance, a “back” gesture wouldn’t go amiss.


I can’t say that I was deeply impressed by the Personalisation function, either. Aside from regular browser settings you can adjust your display’s alignment, switch gestures on/off, decide in which networks can by synchronised for favourites and which user agent can be utilised.


I was also disappointed to see that the browser doesn’t come with a pinch-to-zoom function. What’s more is that you have to activate the zoom button manually in order to zoom at all, and there’s only one zoom level over the double tap available.


Bottom line:
The only things that are really notable about this browser is the tabbed browsing function and the RSS reader—provided that a feed is playing along! Don’t get me wrong: this browser has a lot of potential, but for the moment you’re probably still better off with other alternatives such as Miren Browser, Firefox or the good old standard Android browser.
 

Screen & Controls

Section rating:

Maxthon browser for Android’s design is nice and it certainly doesn’t come across as quite as white-bread-ish as some of the other browsers out there. That being said, it could do with a bit of a clean-up as well as more instructions to ensure more user comfort, as for the moment controls aren’t as intuitive as they could be.

Speed & Stability

Section rating:

The loading time for websites is pretty decent, but I’m not too keen on Maxthon browser for Android’s UI.

Price/Performance Ratio

Section rating:

You can download Maxthon browser for Android for free from our App Center as well as the Android Market.

Comparable Apps

Miren Browser

MiRen Browser

Dolphin Browser® Mini

Dolphin for Pad V1.0 Beta

Dolphin Browser® HD

Mozilla Firefox

Report comparable or similar apps

Reviews of this app in other languages

Review "MaxthonMobile Browser für Andr" from Mar 12, 2011 (German)

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Maxthon Android Web Browser
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Christian Brüggemann
Mar 12, 2011 10:19:05 PM

Hey jana,

found one mistakte in your translation: "I toss them out and you back". Don't you mean "go back"? ;)'


Jims
Mar 13, 2011 8:04:53 PM

Dolphin is still my favorite because of tabs and lastpass integration!


Aureleuz
Mar 30, 2011 12:37:59 AM

I'm only interested in browsing speed rather than unlimited functions. . where mirren browser and dolphin have failed, I hope this one to show more promise. also, if it lacks flash 10 support -I'm ditching it faster than...

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Market Comments

Rodney, Apr 20, 2012
Has everything I could want Yeah. And support is lightning fast.
Brodie, Apr 20, 2012
Fast, but freezes at times... App's just been updated, so maybe issue's been resolved. like the fairly minimalist and bright interface.
Jarukit, Apr 20, 2012
Good Nice
Darling, Apr 20, 2012
like nice one
carlos, Apr 20, 2012
Love It ***** Its the best browers I used fast / quick downloads to
KP, Apr 20, 2012
Just another Browser Compared to opera and dolphin it is just another browser - not more not less.
Carmelita, Apr 20, 2012
Best Mobile Browser Hands Down! Incredible. Fast, smooth functioning, beautiful appearance, customization, sleek and easy to use. I have tried all other mobile browsers (Firefox, Opera, Dolphin, etc.) and they just cannot compare. A must-have for all mobile browser users, I would recommend this browser to anyone. I have even shared with all my family members and they love it. Definitely the best mobile browser available on the Android Market today.
Native Cain, Apr 20, 2012
Zoom The zoom need to be fixed. If I zoom with my fingers... The writing on the Page remains in original position. I have to use the zoom in button to fit the script into the close up frame I want.
Sam, Apr 20, 2012
Absolutely Phenomenal! Deleted all other browsers and permanently defaulted to this browser rather than stock browser and extremely happy it. Defo 5 stars!!
Sam, Apr 20, 2012
Second-to-none!!! By far the best browser available on Google Play. Has features that are yet to be comprehended by its competitors. It is my default browser on my HTC.
Brendan Rankin, Apr 20, 2012
Good, fast, small memory footprint, but... ...it crashes far too often... If they can fix the crashing, this is hands down the best. Chrome Beta sits at 50MB+ whereas this browser consumes all of 1-2MB. That alone makes it worthwhile! The fact that it also syncs with the desktop Maxthon browser is just gravy. Rating *** now and will up that rating once the frequent crash behavior is improved. Ok...it appears they've fixed the crashing! Huzzah!!
miko, Apr 20, 2012
Like it
Dr. Idros, Apr 20, 2012
Google Cloud Print Good browser overall. This is my daily browser. Can this read GCP messages from Chrome desktop browser? I will give a 5* for that feature alone :)
Chetan, Apr 20, 2012
Getting Better Updated the rating
Dimitri, Apr 20, 2012
Missing search feature No search on a webpage provided
Mystyn, Apr 20, 2012
Great app! Nice job !
Dr., Apr 20, 2012
Good fr android
udaiyar, Apr 20, 2012
Good Ok.
Owner, Apr 20, 2012
Wow! Wow! Wow! Fast! Fast! Fast! My stock browser sucks! I've been trying all the different browsers and most are slow and I have 4g but it feels like 2g but this browser has breathed new life into my internet. I'm flying thru cyberspace at blazing 4g speeds with no lag and I love it :-) Now if only I could get it to stop closing randomly. Thanks :-)
satwant singh, Apr 20, 2012
Goooooooood
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