Xiaomi Mint browser contradicts own claim about the ad-free experience; Here's what we found

Folks over at Xiaomi have anunced ir all-new Mint browser for Android users. In what could be one of its primary features, Mint is claimed to consume limited system resources. What’s more, Xiaomi is making certain claims with regards to its speed, privacy, security and -free browsing experience. app is listed on Google Play Store for downlo with less than 12MB in size. We decided to put it to test, and based on our findings, here is what we have to say about Xiaomi’s Mint browser:

At time of writing this, Mint v1.3.0 has well over a thousand downlos. It requires Android 4.4 KitKat and above. We downloed Mint via Google Play Store. Upon running Mint browser for first time, it requires certain permissions that one can deny if y want. If you are looking to downlo certain files over internet, you may have to grant Mint permission to access your phone’s stor.

Unlike Google Chrome and Firefox, Mint seeks permission in order to be able to man phone calls, which seems a bit unnecessary for a web browser.

Mint has this minimalist interface, to begin with. On main screen, re are shortcuts to select websites like Cricbuzz, Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy and more. Xiaomi seems to have partnered with se websites so that it could display m as shortcuts on Mint’s home screen. Above those shortcuts is an dress bar to input a website URL or search query.

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Bing is default search engine on Mint browser. But that is something you can certainly tweak inside settings. Apart from standard search feature, Mint uses Google API to provide users with a voice search option. However, it only appears on main screen. Mint should have rar considered a floating microphone icon somewhere on screen to quickly access voice search.

What should be alarming is fact that a default home-screen shortcut to access Facebook les to a custom login p outside of Facebook, which looks exactly like Facebook. We strongly recommend users to refrain from signing into Facebook from any such ufficial ps and always look for URL in dress bar. It also showed us an vertisement that contricts Xiaomi’s own claim about -free experience. Check out screenshot below:

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browser supports incognito mode. Users can d multiple tabs, much like any or browser out re. Mint users can log in to browser using ir existing Google or Facebook accounts. It is surprising to see Xiaomi prioritising Google as well as Facebook sign-in options over its own Mi account.

Inside Tools, Mint provides users with an option to reduce data us. Inside Settings, users can tweak default search engine, change font size, set Mint as default browser and more. As for privacy and security, users can choose to remember passwords, accept cookies and show security warnings.

Xiaomi Mint supports a Dark Mode to reduce eyestrain while browsing in lowlight situations. We are happy to see Xiaomi taking efforts to promote its services and make m available outside its own ecosystem. Xiaomi seriously needs to up its standards when it comes to its own commitments.