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With Opera One for iOS growing across the US, Europe, Asia and Africa, Opera brings data savings of up to 80% to iPhone users as web pages become increasingly heavy

Oslo, Norway – November 12, 2026 –  Opera (NASDAQ: OPRA) today announced that monthly active users of its iOS browser grew 20% year-on-year in October 2026,  building on its established presence in Asia and Africa while expanding its reach in the US and Europe. As the user base grows, Opera is bringing one of its signature browser capabilities, Data Saver feature, to the iPhone. When enabled, the feature can cut browsing data consumption by up to 80%, helping users make their mobile data last longer.

The growth follows Opera’s October milestone of 100 million monthly active users on PC, up 16% year over year. Behind this growth across both desktop and mobile is a broader shift in consumer expectations – users are increasingly reconsidering the default as their understanding of what a browser can do evolves. 

Opera brings its signature data-saving technology to the iPhone

Data saving has been a part of Opera’s DNA for nearly two decades. With Opera Mini, the company pioneered server-assisted mobile browsing, helping millions get online efficiently in markets where every megabyte counts.

That technology is now available on its flagship iOS browser. When Data Saver is enabled, images and text are compressed on Opera's servers before they reach the user's device, reducing the data needed to load a webpage.

For users, this can make a difference when travelling abroad on expensive roaming data, topping up a prepaid plan or running low on a monthly data bundle. Data Saver can also help when browsing on a weak connection. The feature is optional, and users can switch it on or off and see how much data they have saved.

A heavier web makes data efficiency increasingly useful

Mobile networks have become faster and data plans more generous in many markets, but websites have simultaneously grown much heavier. According to HTTP Archive's 2025 Web Almanac, the median mobile homepage grew from 845 KB in 2015 to approximately 2.6 MB in 2025, an increase of more than 200% in a decade. More JavaScript, larger images and richer content mean more data is transferred every time a page loads.

This issue is particularly relevant in markets where iPhone ownership is growing but mobile data remains expensive relative to income. In Africa, where Opera One for iOS grew 14% year over year, Counterpoint Research reports that iPhone sales also recorded double-digit growth in Q1 2026. Opera, which built strong brand recognition across the continent with Opera Mini, sees this as a significant opportunity to extend its reach on iOS. Opera One for iOS also grew 17% year over year in Asia, where high mobile data consumption makes efficient browsing especially important.

Growth across four continents

The strongest growth came from the United States, where Opera One for iOS grew 46% year over year, as consumers look for more personalization and control than the default browser offers. Shift's 2026 State of Browsing Report found that 92% of surveyed US adults value browser personalization, while Gartner reported in April 2026 that 52% of consumers had taken steps to block advertising. In Europe, Opera One for iOS grew 16% year over year, including 32% in the United Kingdom and 19% in France.

“Data saving is a signature Opera feature, and we’re proud to bring it to iPhone,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera. “As the web gets heavier, people everywhere want more control over their data use. We’re growing in various markets, from the US and Europe to Asia and Africa, and what they have in common are users who look beyond the default when an alternative offers real value. With features like Data Saver, we intend to be that alternative on iPhone.”

More reasons to choose Opera on iPhone

Data Saver joins Opera One for iOS's existing built-in features, including a free browser VPN, native ad blocking, integrated browser AI and advanced tab management.

The new feature is available in the latest version of Opera One for iOS, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store. Data Saver is off by default and can be enabled from the browser's main menu or under Settings.

About Opera

Opera is an independent browser company founded in Norway in 1995. Opera’s browsers are designed to provide innovative, feature-rich experiences across devices. Its portfolio includes Opera One, Opera GX, Opera Air and Opera Neon on PC, alongside its mobile browser products. Opera is listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol OPRA.