Google is reportedly preparing to release a version of its popular Chrome browser specifically designed for Windows on Arm. This unexpected move from Google has sparked interest among users, who have been eagerly awaiting a native Arm version of Chrome for Windows devices.
The discovery of a native Arm version of Chrome for Windows 11 was made by a user on the X platform, who noticed it in the latest nightly builds of Chrome available in the Canary channel. This version has been confirmed to be an ARM64 version, which is optimized for Arm-powered devices running Windows.
While Microsoft has long supported an Arm version of its Edge browser, which is also based on Chromium, Google had not shown any indication of supporting Windows on Arm until now. As a result, Windows devices using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips had to run Chrome in an emulated state, leading to performance issues and slower speeds compared to the native Edge browser.
The performance disparity between the native Arm version of Edge and the regular x86 version of Chrome on Windows on Arm devices is significant. Native versions of Edge on Arm devices deliver a user experience similar to that on any other Intel machine, while Chrome on Windows on Arm suffers from noticeable slowdowns and performance issues.
Google has a history of supporting Arm processors, particularly in its Chromebooks, where a version of ChromeOS is optimized for Qualcomm’s chips. However, the availability of a native Arm browser on Windows has been primarily limited to Edge.
Microsoft managed to release its own ARM64 version of Edge by utilizing the basics of Chromium to build a new browser without Google’s Widevine digital rights management (DRM) system. Other browser vendors using Chromium have stuck with Google’s DRM, making the availability of a native Arm browser on Windows even more crucial.
Looking ahead, 2024 is expected to be a significant year for Windows and laptops. Both Microsoft and Qualcomm are preparing for a major push of Windows on Arm, facilitated by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite processors. Qualcomm claims that its latest chips will outperform those from Apple, Intel, and AMD. Furthermore, reports suggest that both Nvidia and AMD plan to launch Arm-based PC chips as early as 2025.
With Google now entering the scene and developing a native Arm version of Chrome for Windows, the future of Windows on Arm seems promising. This move could have substantial implications for the performance and user experience of Windows devices utilizing Arm processors.
In conclusion, Google’s decision to launch a native Arm version of Chrome for Windows is a significant development for Windows on Arm devices. This move will provide users with a faster and more optimized browsing experience, bringing it closer to the performance levels of the native Edge browser. As the industry continues to embrace Arm-based processors, the collaboration between Google, Microsoft, and other chip manufacturers will shape the future of Windows on Arm.
As much as I might not to admit, this is huge. Chrome for Arm64 is here.https://t.co/Zm2Weq1NtX
— Pedro Justo (@itanium_guy) January 26, 2024
