Chrome for Android achieves double speedometer performance

Google recently announced a significant milestone for Chrome on Android—the browser has doubled its Speedometer score, showcasing major performance gains over the past two years. Here’s a breakdown of how Google achieved this improvement, making Chrome faster and more efficient for Android users.
What Is Speedometer and Why Does It Matter?
Speedometer is a benchmark tool used to measure how quickly a browser can handle common web tasks, like rendering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This score reflects real-world performance, helping developers track improvements and identify bottlenecks in browser speed.
Massive Gains in Speed
Since April 2023 (Chrome 112), Google has reported significant boosts in Speedometer 2.1 scores for Android devices. For instance:
- Loading a Google Docs file on the Pixel Tablet is now 50% faster.
- Devices powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform have set new performance records for mobile browsers.
In some cases, Speedometer scores have more than doubled, delivering a smoother and faster browsing experience.
Three Key Areas of Improvement
Google attributes these advancements to optimizations in three core areas: build structure, JavaScript and rendering engines, and hardware collaboration.
1. Optimized Builds for Android Devices
Google introduced a high-performance build of Chrome specifically for premium Android devices, departing from its earlier “one-size-fits-all” approach. Key changes include:
- Focus on ARM64 architecture: Utilizing advanced ARM64 features and 64-bit operations, which are faster than ARM32.
- Prioritizing speed over size: On high-end devices with more storage and RAM, Chrome is now built using speed-optimized compilers (-O2 / -O3) instead of size-focused ones (-Oz).
- Better inlining and profiling: By tweaking compiler settings and using Profile-Guided Optimization (PGO), Chrome processes critical tasks faster.
- Improved code order: Google aligned Chrome’s code layout with the latest ARM64 build to enhance performance further, factoring in Speedometer 3, the latest browser benchmark standard.
2. Enhanced JavaScript and Rendering Engines
The V8 JavaScript engine and Blink rendering engine received several updates to improve performance and energy efficiency:
- Faster HTML parsing: A new fast-path parser speeds up handling of HTML attributes.
- Sparkplug and Maglev compilers: These new compilers improve the way Chrome processes JavaScript by balancing speed and optimization levels, reducing delays.
- Smarter memory management: Garbage collection now happens during idle times or page navigation, minimizing disruptions.
- Incremental improvements: Small but impactful upgrades were made to the parsing, styling, layout, and text rendering processes.
3. Partnering with Android Hardware Makers
Google worked closely with partners like Qualcomm to ensure Chrome makes the best use of device hardware. For example:
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform achieved a 60–80% performance boost in Speedometer 3.0, thanks to optimized thread scheduling and hardware tuning.
What This Means for Users
These advancements mean faster page loads, smoother browsing, and better battery life for Android users. Whether you’re using an entry-level phone or a high-end device, Chrome’s tailored improvements ensure a superior browsing experience.
With these changes, Google demonstrates its commitment to keeping Chrome at the forefront of browser technology, delivering speed and reliability to billions of users worldwide.
YouTube Music adds new feature to keep song volume steady

YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature called “Stable volume” to make your listening experience better. This option helps keep the sound level the same across all songs, so you won’t have to turn the volume up or down when switching tracks.
Sometimes, songs are louder or softer depending on how they were made. This new feature fixes that by adjusting each track so that all music plays at a similar volume. It’s especially useful when you’re using headphones or listening in the car.
You can find this option in the YouTube Music app by going to Settings > Playback & restrictions, where you’ll see a switch for “Stable volume.” It works for both free and Premium users, and it’s now appearing on Android devices (version 7.07 or later). iOS support may come soon, but it’s not available yet.
This is a welcome update, as many streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music already have similar volume balancing tools. It helps make playlists and albums sound smoother and more enjoyable without constant volume changes.
So far, the feature is being released in stages, so you might not see it right away, but it should show up soon for everyone.
Android
Android 16 beta adds battery health info, Pixel Fold gets better at detecting opens and closes

Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.
At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.
These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.
Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.
Android
Android 16 could bring colorful always-on display to Pixel phones

Google is working on Android 16, and it looks like the update could bring more color to the always-on display (AOD) feature on Pixel phones. Right now, the AOD mostly shows white text on a black screen. But a new setting found in the Android 16 Developer Preview hints at the ability to add colors to this display.
The new feature is called “AOD Preview,” and it includes a switch labeled “Color AOD.” While this setting doesn’t work yet, it suggests that Google might be planning to show colorful content even when the screen is in low-power mode.
This change could make AOD look more lively, maybe by adding color to the clock, notifications, or wallpaper. So far, it’s not clear exactly what will change or how customizable it will be, but the feature seems to be in early testing.
Samsung already has more colorful AOD options on its Galaxy devices, so this update could help Pixel phones catch up. Google often introduces new features first on Pixel devices before making them available to other Android phones.
Android 16 is still being developed, and many features are not ready yet. But if Color AOD becomes part of the final release, Pixel users could get a more vibrant and useful always-on display in the near future.
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