Opera Neon: Exploring the Complexities of AI-Powered Web Browsers

Introduction to Opera Neon: To fully understand Opera Neon, it's crucial to realize that it goes beyond being merely a single Artificial Intelligence-powered web browser. It integrates three interconnected AI systems working in tandem. This feature represents the core of its power and its challenges; while it provides users with the ability to accomplish various AI tasks without leaving the browser, determining the right tool for each task can be complex.

Launch of Opera Neon and its Market Position

Launch History and Differentiation: Opera officially launched its flagship AI-powered browser, Neon, on September 30, 2025, following an initial announcement on May 28, 2025. This innovative browser enters a growing and crowded market of AI browsers, such as Chrome powered by Google Gemini, Perplexity Comet, and Arc by The Browser Company. Subscription Model: Unlike many of these browsers, Opera Neon stands out by offering a paid subscription service of $19.90 per month, setting a high standard for expected features in a product that is usually free.

Key Features and AI Agents

Familiar Design and Features: Opera Neon features a design and features familiar to users of traditional Opera browsers. It integrates essential tools such as a built-in ad blocker and VPN service, in addition to a customizable sidebar that supports popular applications like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Advanced AI Agents: Neon's advanced AI capabilities are concentrated within the front-end interface and new tab screens. Below the search bar, a toggle switch appears with four modes: standard internet search; a chatbot known as "Chat"; a browser control agent called "Do"; and a specialized AI-building agent called "Make". (Opera explains that Neon relies on AI models from OpenAI and Google, but has not yet specified the exact model used for each component of Neon.)

"Chat" Agent: The Interactive AI Assistant

"Chat" Agent Performance: "Chat" is one of Opera Neon's most prominent features, acting as an integrated interactive AI assistant, making it familiar to users accustomed to AI-powered chatbots. "Chat" can be accessed directly from the search bar or the upper right corner of the browser for quick and continuous access. Query and Summarization Capabilities: "Chat" demonstrated good ability to handle quick search queries and provide answers about current page content, such as summarizing the latest research in quantum computing. Performance Challenges: However, performance was not always perfect, as its answers were often verbose and lacked conciseness. For example, when asked to summarize comments from five recent articles on "The Verge" website, "Chat" provided a lengthy response of around 400 words to inform us that there were no comments. This experience revealed that "Chat" may not have the full capability to accurately analyze web content, although it suggests it does. In another instance, "Chat" claimed there were no comments on three "Verge" stories when there were actually four, then offered a general guess about the nature of "early comments on tech news sites."

"Do" Agent: Interactive Browser Control

Improving "Chat" Performance via "Do": Christian Kolondra, Opera's EVP of Browsers, explained that the reason for "Chat" bot's failure was choosing the wrong tool for the task. Kolondra noted that "Chat" successfully detected the number of comments visible at the top of "The Verge" articles in Opera's tests. However, summarizing comments requires opening the comments section on the page, a process that needs a manual click. Therefore, this type of inquiry should have been directed to the AI agent "Do", which is a more interactive version of "Chat" that takes control of the browser and accomplishes tasks on behalf of the user.

Challenges of Using "Do" Agent: The AI agent "Do" in Opera Neon faces a challenge, as it stops working if a question is asked mid-task. We tested "Do" in various tasks, including booking a CrossFit class, booking a massage session for under $50 at a nearby spa, and searching for PDF files of baby clothing sewing patterns. Although "Do" performed the tasks, we couldn't switch to "Chat" within the same window to ask follow-up questions about the ongoing task. Currently, there is also no way to correct "Do's" course while it is operating.

Examples of Inaccuracy: We observed, for instance, how the bot overlooked the attractive floral arrangements we requested for a friend, and instead added an unwanted funeral wreath to our cart, even after we clicked on better options. On another occasion, "Do" claimed theater tickets were unavailable for a January show, while a quick check showed many were available. This lack of accuracy and trust raises questions about full reliance on this tool.

Speed and Human Intervention: Similar to other AI browsers, accomplishing tasks using "Do" was slower than doing them manually, although it offers a glimpse into the future of automating general web browsing tasks. Using "Do" does not mean complete relaxation; sometimes, it encounters obstacles that require human intervention. When that happens, the "Do" tab at the top of the screen flashes bright red (which can be easy to miss), indicating the need for user intervention to help the bot complete its task.

"Make" Agent and "Cards"

"Make" Agent: In addition to the "Chat" and "Do" agents, Opera Neon also includes the AI agent "Make," designed for creating custom mini web tools. "Make" operates within a virtual computing environment, allowing it to download software, scripts, or images necessary to create your projects without affecting your personal computer. For example, we requested a simple memory matching game involving beginner Spanish vocabulary. The game was successful, and within a few minutes, we were matching "libro" with a picture of a book. While the game wasn't complex, the ease of closing the tab and having all associated book images disappear was a practical feature.

"Cards" Feature: The final feature in Opera Neon is "Cards," which are essentially pre-configured prompts that can be used with any of the AI agents, described by Opera as "boosters" for AI interactions. Theoretically, "Cards" could save time by avoiding re-typing prompts, but currently, users may not find a compelling need to reuse a specific set of instructions. The app-like store is filled with content created by the Neon team, ranging from promotional prompts that rephrase websites in a humorous style (like Yoda's style) to more serious prompts for news aggregation. Opera hopes the platform will flourish with useful user creations as the user base grows, but currently, available content is limited.

Challenges and Cost: Is Opera Neon Worth the Price?

User Experience with Opera Neon: At times, using the Neon browser felt like collaborating with an inefficient and unsolicited assistant, rather than experiencing a time-saving piece of advanced technology. Often, one of the AI systems would request feedback and then proceed to complete the task without waiting for a response. Given the browser's ability to interact directly with the web, it's easy to imagine how this initiative could lead to significant errors, such as sending a large number of LinkedIn connection requests to people you only intended to browse professionally and anonymously. On one occasion, when we confirmed that everything looked good and asked to proceed, Neon responded, "I'm glad you think so!" and then immediately stopped working.

Development Stage and Paid Subscription: Kolondra explained that Neon will solicit feedback in the future, but this feature is currently disabled because it is still under development. Kolondra acknowledged that the Neon browser is still in its development phase. Kolondra told The Verge, "Overall, Opera Neon is in an early access release phase, available to people who want to participate in the journey of developing this product." But Neon is also a paid subscription product, asking $20 per month, for something largely available for free elsewhere.

The Main Challenge for Opera Neon: Currently, this offering is a challenge, especially since Neon appears to be an AI browser that requires the user to adapt to it, rather than being smart enough to adapt to our needs.