Cross browser comparison (Focus on iOS)

It is a fact that more and more hybrid/web application are being developed lately, HTML5 applications and more

The common assumption by the application developers is that since it is a web application is will run cross platform without too much effort/QA and UI activities.

It might be true in some cases (simple ones), however on top of the complications in testing web application, we must not forget that each app need to be compliant to iOS and Android UI guidelines (icons, fonts etc.), and also important point to keep in mind is – The cross browser compatibility.

Each user (Android or iOS and soon Windows Phone) may chose the prefered browser which he likes to surf through and use. THat user will not change his browser and will expect that “your” application will run top-notch on his preferred browser.

In this post i will not cover all existing iOS browsers (nor android), but the top leading ones – My recommendation is to prepare similar matrix of testing for the existing web browsers for mobile and perform at least some level of sanity on each to assure your application works properly and also meets the desired guidelines.

For iOS we are familiar with the following browsers (The below iTunes URLs for downloading each:

– Safari (THe most common and default browser)

– Chrome (Google) – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chrome/id535886823?mt=8

– Dolphin – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dolphin-browser/id452204407?mt=8

– Opera Mini – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opera-mini-web-browser/id363729560?mt=8

– Mercury – http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mercury-web-browser-most-advanced/id331012646?mt=8

Please see below some screenshots of the exact same web page (BBC News) which is a high quality web site being run on the above browsers (Not too much difference which is good news :), however there are some L&F differences – for other apps i am sure that the situation will be different)

Safari Browser: