Can Opera’s new Data Saver really cut your iPhone browsing data by up to 80%?

Opera says its new Data Saver in Opera One for iOS can cut browsing data by up to 80 percent by compressing pages on its servers first. It is off by default, so here is how to turn it on, check the savings counter, and the honest trade-off to know before you use it for everything.

You are halfway through a trip, your data plan is nearly gone, and every photo-heavy page feels like it costs you money.Short answer: It can help — with honest limits. Opera announced on November 12 that Data Saver is now available in Opera One for iOS, and the company says it can reduce browsing data usage by up to 80 percent. The feature is optional and off by default, so nothing changes until you turn it on yourself.Why it works: Data Saver shrinks pages before they reach your phone — images and text are compressed on Opera’s servers, so your iPhone downloads a lighter version of each page.

The app also keeps a running counter of how much data you have saved, so you can judge the feature by your own numbers instead of a headline. Opera says its iOS monthly users rose 20 percent year over year in October, so a lot of people are giving this browser a look right now. One honest trade-off: because pages pass through Opera’s servers to be compressed, do your banking and other sensitive accounts in your normal browser or the bank’s own app, and remember that “up to 80 percent” is a ceiling that depends on how image-heavy your pages are — not a promise.How to try it:1.

Update Opera One in the App Store. Data Saver comes with the latest version, so update the app first.2. Turn Data Saver on.

Open the app menu or go into Settings and switch Data Saver on — it stays off until you do.3. Browse normally, then check the counter. After a day or two of regular use, look at the saved-data counter to see your real savings.4.

Turn it off for any site that looks broken. If a page loads oddly or a picture looks wrong, switch Data Saver off for that visit and reload.Pro tip: This feature earns its keep on capped data plans, while traveling, and on slow connections — exactly the moments when every megabyte counts. On fast home Wi-Fi with an unlimited plan, you will barely notice it.Ad’s take: “I like a tool that shows its work, and that savings counter does exactly that.

Try it for a week, check your number, and keep it only if it earns its place.”