Microsoft makes Opera Mini default browser for feature phones

The Opera Mini web browser will become the new default for Microsoft’s existing feature phones and the Asha handset portfolio.

Windows Phones

The Norwegian software company has signed a deal to take over the browser building unit of Microsoft's Nokia mobile phone business, replacing Nokia’s Xpress browser on Microsoft devices.

As part of the agreement, people who use Xpress will be encouraged to upgrade to the latest Opera Mini browser. Factory-new devices will have Opera Mini pre-installed.

The deal comes after Microsoft announced one of the largest layoffs in tech history with 18,000 jobs cut, many from its Nokia division.

Opera Mini has a built-in compression technology that allows people to save on mobile data.

The browser currently has around 250 million users, over 100 million of these on Android smartphones.

The licensing agreement applies to mobile phones based on the Series 30+, Series 40 and Asha software platforms.

Microsoft said it will continue to sell and support feature phones as well as the Asha range.