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Firefox 157.0, released September 29, 2026, is Mozilla’s latest stable desktop release listed on October 7. It brings a broad visual refresh, new themes and compact mode, and hardware AV1 decoding for supported WebRTC video calls. Firefox also offers privacy controls such as Private Browsing and Enhanced Tracking Protection, but those protections do not make browsing anonymous or eliminate all data processing. The available evidence does not establish that Firefox is faster or lighter than other browsers.
What’s new in Firefox 157
Mozilla describes Firefox 157 as its biggest visual refresh in years. The September 29, 2026 release updates the toolbars, sidebar, menus, and other features, and adds light and dark themes. Compact mode reduces spacing around the toolbar and tabs. The release also enables hardware AV1 decoding for WebRTC video calls on supported devices, alongside video and security fixes and a warning when Firefox is configured to record encryption keys. Mozilla’s Firefox 157.0 release notes list downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
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Availability depends on platform, hardware, settings, and rollout. System requirements also matter: Mozilla says current Firefox is no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and below or macOS 10.14 and below, and directs users of those systems to Firefox ESR.
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Firefox 152, released earlier in 2026, redesigned Settings and added a Private Browsing option to temporarily disable tracker blocking for a tab when blocking breaks a site, while retaining other tracking protections. Its release notes also describe a quick action to mute browser audio, tab link sharing, and additional translation languages. These are version-specific changes, not features first introduced in Firefox 157. Mozilla’s release notes provide the release history.
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What Firefox’s privacy features do—and don’t do
Mozilla describes Private Browsing as a way to keep browsing history and passwords private on a shared device. Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks trackers that follow users across sites; Mozilla also lists protections against harmful scripts and malware. These are Mozilla’s descriptions of its features, not an independent audit or a guarantee of complete anonymity. Mozilla’s private-browsing overview explains the protections it offers.
Data processing and local features
Mozilla’s privacy notice says it processes technical and settings data to provide core browser functionality and associated services. The notice names New Tab, PDF editing, password management, and Total Cookie Protection among default features. It says some personal data—including browsing history, form data, temporary files, and cookies—is processed locally on the device unless the notice specifies otherwise.
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The notice also says local translation and PDF alt-text suggestions use small language models downloaded to the device, with the specified content remaining local unless the user explicitly consents otherwise. Those details describe particular features; they should not be taken as a blanket claim that all Firefox data stays on the device. Mozilla’s Firefox Privacy Notice, effective May 4, 2026, sets out the data practices and exceptions.
Search suggestions
Search suggestions are on by default. As a user types, suggestion requests—including real-time queries and technical data—go to the search provider. In some regions, including the United States, Firefox suggestions are also provided. Mozilla describes an OHTTP proxy for U.S. requests and says certain de-identified search and interaction data may go to partners. The notice says users can turn off search suggestions and Firefox suggestions, including sponsored suggestions, in settings. Because behavior and data flows can vary by region and setting, check the notice and Firefox’s current settings for the configuration you use. Mozilla’s privacy notice gives further detail.
Firefox VPN is not a whole-device VPN
Mozilla’s privacy notice says its Firefox VPN feature proxies Firefox traffic through an intermediary and hides the user’s IP address from sites visited. It does not proxy traffic from other applications, and using it alone does not make web browsing fully anonymous. Mozilla says the proxy cannot access webpage content or sensitive information such as messages and passwords, while limited technical and interaction data is processed to maintain and improve the feature. This describes a Firefox feature, not a claim that all traffic on a device is covered. See Mozilla’s privacy notice for the feature’s data practices.
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What the performance evidence actually shows
The release notes establish specific media changes, not a general speed ranking. Firefox 157 adds hardware AV1 decoding for WebRTC video calls where the device supports it. Firefox 147, released January 13, 2026, documented improved video playback on systems with AMD GPUs by enabling zero-copy playback for hardware-decoded video where supported. Those improvements concern particular workloads and hardware, not every page or device. Mozilla’s Firefox 147.0 release notes describe the AMD video change.
No controlled cross-browser speed, memory, or battery comparison is established here. In practice, perceived performance can vary with workload, device, operating system, extensions, and media hardware. A useful comparison with another browser would require matched systems, versions, tasks, and measurement methods; without that, claims that Firefox is generally faster or lighter are unsupported.
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What’s on Mozilla’s roadmap, not necessarily in Firefox today
In a June 2026 roadmap post, Mozilla described upcoming or developing work that included native integration for Multi-Account Containers, expanding Firefox VPN to mobile, Quick Answers, continued Smart Window development, and a mobile Power Saving Mode. A roadmap is not confirmation that these features have shipped. Check later release notes or the relevant product settings to verify availability before relying on them. Mozilla’s June 2026 Firefox roadmap post separates what was rolling out from what was planned next.
Who should consider Firefox?
Firefox is worth considering if you want a browser with desktop and mobile versions, configurable appearance, and built-in privacy controls such as Private Browsing and Enhanced Tracking Protection. Its newest visual options may appeal if you want to adjust browser density or theme. The privacy notice is also relevant if you use search suggestions, local language features, or Firefox VPN: their data handling and coverage are feature-specific.
Choose based on your own device and workflow rather than an unsupported overall speed claim. If performance is decisive, compare current browser versions on the operating system and hardware you actually use, with the same sites, extensions, and media tasks. Mozilla’s listed support limits are also important if you use an older version of Windows or macOS.
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