The headline does not identify which browser replaced Chrome, so it would be misleading to present Brave or Samsung Internet as the writer’s confirmed choice. Both are credible alternatives, but they suit different priorities: Brave emphasizes built-in blocking and privacy controls, while Samsung Internet offers a customizable mobile interface and device-oriented features. The right replacement depends on what you want Chrome to do better.
Start with what you want to change about Chrome
A browser switch is most worthwhile when it solves a specific irritation. On Android, the practical differences to weigh are the mobile interface, ad and tracker blocking, extension support, privacy controls, desktop sync, and integration with your device or accounts. No source here establishes a universal winner or a controlled speed, battery, or privacy advantage.
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- For built-in blocking: consider whether you want ads, trackers, or third-party cookies handled without adding extensions.
- For mobile usability: look at toolbar placement and customization, reading features, downloads, and private browsing.
- For desktop continuity: check whether the browser supports the devices and sync workflow you actually use.
- For extensions: verify Android support specifically; desktop browser extensions do not automatically work on mobile.
Brave: a fit for built-in blocking and privacy controls
In a May 2, 2026 first-person account, Android Authority’s Pankil Shah described using Brave for built-in tracker and third-party-cookie blocking, ad blocking, customizable privacy controls, dark mode, and media controls. Those are reported features and personal experience, not findings from an independent comparative test. Read the account.
The tradeoffs in that account matter: Brave does not support Android extensions, and its firewall/VPN is a paid service. If extensions are essential to your mobile workflow, that limitation could outweigh the convenience of built-in blocking. Do not treat the paid VPN as part of the free browser experience.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Samsung Internet: a fit for a tailored mobile interface
Android Central’s first-person Galaxy S20 review highlights Samsung Internet’s bottom toolbar, toolbar customization, ad-blocker options, reading mode, downloads, and Secret mode with biometric access. The review is useful for understanding the interface and features, but its device-specific observations should not be generalized to every Android phone. Read the Galaxy S20 review.
The reviewer’s comments about scrolling and battery use are personal observations on that phone, not controlled comparisons proving Samsung Internet is faster or more battery-efficient overall. If those points matter to you, test the browser on your own device and with your normal sites and settings.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Other Android browsers to consider
Android Authority’s July 30, 2025 roundup also discusses Firefox, Vivaldi, and Opera as Chrome alternatives. It describes Firefox’s customization and reading mode, Vivaldi’s customization, and Opera’s integrated tools. These are editorial descriptions rather than a current, independently verified feature audit; check each browser’s current documentation and app listing before relying on a specific capability. See the roundup.
How to choose without guessing
- Write down your deal-breaker. Decide whether the priority is blocking, interface, reading tools, extensions, privacy controls, sync, or device integration.
- Check current Android support. Use the browser’s official documentation or app listing to confirm the feature is available in the Android version you would install. Features and availability can change.
- Check your sync needs before moving. Confirm that your bookmarks, passwords, and other data can follow the workflow you expect across your devices; the cited accounts do not establish equivalent sync support for every browser.
- Try the candidate with real tasks. Open your regular sites, use private browsing if relevant, test downloads or reading features, and see whether the toolbar feels comfortable.
- Keep the old browser until the new one works for you. A short trial makes it easier to catch missing features or a sync gap before making a full switch.
What the evidence can—and cannot—settle
The available accounts support treating Brave and Samsung Internet as alternatives with distinct feature priorities; they do not identify which browser the headline’s writer actually adopted. Nor do they establish that either browser is categorically faster, safer, or better for all Android users. The strongest basis for a decision is to match verified current features to your needs, then test the interface and workflow on your own phone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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