Mozilla Firefox Quantum for Android is here with a bad first impression

Mozilla has been talking up Firefox Quantum for more than a year now and it has been running it in beta on desktop for a number of weeks. This is slated to arrive in its final form on Android with Firefox 59, but part of the new features have already been injected into the recently launched Firefox version 57.

Firefox Quantum is a reimagined version of Mozilla’s internet browser, said to be significantly faster and more efficient than its competitors, while also delivering a new design. Though the Android version is set to get something similar, for now, Firefox 57 and has incorporated only part of the Quantum improvements. Among these are elements of the new Photon UI — with a slightly cleaner look than before an less color — and support for Chrome Custom tabs, as well as some performance improvements.

However, it lacks the Quantum CSS rendered for the speed boost — and it really shows. Check out the video I made below.

This isn’t the last word on the Firefox v57 experience — I’ve only tried it on one device while writing this news story — but it’s enough to give an impression of where Firefox is at currently. Distinct input lag and chronically slow loading times were among the initial problems, as well as a basic failure to load anything at the start; it’s a far cry away from my experience with the desktop version (which I bloody love).

As I’ve stated, the core speed increase hasn’t yet been implemented, but as of right now, that wouldn’t stand to be the cherry on top of an already delicious cake: the latest version of the Firefox mobile browser appears to be drastically underperforming.

Editor's Pick

UC Browser has mysteriously disappeared from the Google Play Store (Updated)

Update (11/15): It's beginning to look like UC Browser's sudden removal from the Play Store could be temporary. A Twitter user claiming to work on the browser reportedly received an email confirming that the app …

This is the earliest state of the software on Android so it’s no surprise that it’s a bit janky; Mozilla is sure to improve it in the future. That said, I’d advise against using it on Android at the current time.

Firefox 57 hasn’t rolled out in all Play Store locations just yet, but you do want to check it out, you can pick up the APK file here.