Opera 120 Review: Built-in Translation, Split Screen Improvements & Privacy Boosts

Opera’s latest leap forward, version 120, brings a wave of long-demanded features and subtle refinements that could reshape how users approach everyday browsing. With a freshly integrated translation tool, major upgrades to split screen functionality, improvements to key utilities, and a revived focus on usability, this release underscores Opera’s commitment to carving out a distinct identity in the Chromium ecosystem. But do these updates live up to the hype, and just how much value do they add for different types of Windows users?

Built-in Translation: Native, Fast, and Privacy-Conscious​

For years, Opera lagged behind other Chromium browsers like Chrome and Edge in one noticeable way: the absence of integrated page translation. Users previously had to depend on third-party extensions, with all the inconveniences and privacy uncertainties such solutions might bring. With Opera 120, this gap finally closes.
Opera’s translation engine is powered by Lingvanex, a company renowned for enterprise translation tools. The implementation is impressively broad, covering over 40 languages at launch—a scope that addresses the needs of a global user base. While most mainstream translation tools focus on the world’s largest languages, Opera’s partnership with Lingvanex enables coverage across numerous European and Asian tongues.
One notable highlight is Opera’s explicit promise that the translation engine operates on European servers, and that users’ translation data is not shared with third parties. In the wake of growing skepticism about data privacy—especially when it comes to the handling of personal or sensitive information—this privacy-first stance is a strategic competitive advantage.
Unlike previous solutions that required manual copying of text or the installation of add-ons, the native translator supports seamless, one-click translation of entire web pages. This approach not only streamlines workflow but also reduces friction for those browsing global news sites, shopping overseas, or researching technical topics in foreign languages.

Caveats and Early Impressions​

While the translation feature works well for the majority of standard websites, early feedback suggests that it can stumble on dynamic web applications and pages heavy in multimedia or JavaScript-rendered content. Furthermore, although Lingvanex matches the translation quality of most built-in browser tools for major languages, power users who’ve grown accustomed to Google Translate might notice subtle differences or occasional phrasing oddities—particularly in colloquial or industry-specific contexts.
Privacy claims, too, merit cautious optimism. Opera’s insistence that translation data is not shared beyond its European infrastructure aligns with GDPR principles and offers meaningful reassurance, yet industry observers should remain vigilant; the ultimate test will come from independent security audits and real-world scrutiny over time.

Split Screen Smarts: More Than Just Window Tiling​

Opera was one of the first browsers to popularize the split screen experience, recognizing that the modern web thrives on multitasking, side-by-side comparison, and efficient information triage. In version 120, split-screen reaches a new level of sophistication, thanks to smarter integration with Tab Islands.
Tab Islands, introduced in previous versions, is Opera’s unique approach to managing tab overload by automatically grouping related tabs based on context or user activity. Now, with split-screen enhancements, users can:

• Open split views inside Tab Islands.
• Drag split-screen tabs between or out of Tab Islands.
• Enjoy consistent toolbar icon behavior and visual cues when managing split or islanded tabs.

These changes might sound technical, but they have substantial real-world impact. Imagine researching a topic with multiple articles and keeping reference material docked in a permanent split view, all while hopping effortlessly across different topics thanks to tidy tab grouping. For productivity enthusiasts, researchers, and digital multitaskers, this is a clear win.

The UI Polish and Workflow Benefits​

Beyond core functionality, Opera 120 introduces small but meaningful UI improvements. Toolbars are now more consistent in how they respond to tab or split view hovers—eliminating clunky edge cases where icons didn’t react as expected. While such polish rarely grabs headlines, it is the kind of attention to detail that separates a genuinely refined browser from a merely functional one.
However, Opera’s split screen still requires some user learning. Newcomers may at first be unsure how to best leverage Tab Islands—or even what “islands” mean in daily use. A guided onboarding or demo could help turn these features from hidden gems into everyday essentials.

Beyond the Headlines: Password Manager Enhancements, Miniplayer, and VPN Updates​

Opera 120’s changelog lists a string of routine bug fixes and UI tweaks, but several utility upgrades stand out.

• Password Manager: Security and convenience go hand-in-hand with browser-based password managers. In this release, Opera tightens auto-fill logic and extends compatibility with more websites. While it doesn’t rival dedicated password management apps like Bitwarden or 1Password for advanced synchronization or auditing features, Opera’s solution now feels markedly less “tacked on” and more central to the browser’s UX.
• Miniplayer: Video viewing inside the browser continues to evolve. Opera’s miniplayer lets users detach and resize videos for persistent playback—be it for a YouTube tutorial beside work notes or background entertainment during research. The update in version 120 improves stability and compatibility across popular streaming services.
• VPN: Opera’s built-in VPN is one of the browser’s longstanding differentiators. Version 120 refines connection reliability and detection of secure pages, although privacy-focused users should still approach any “free” VPN with healthy skepticism. Opera’s VPN primarily obfuscates browsing from local networks, but doesn’t offer the depth of privacy or regional selection of true premium VPN providers.

Everyday Performance and “Invisible” Upgrades​

Much of software’s appeal—especially with web browsers—comes not from flashy features, but from a sense of polish and speed in everyday use. With this update, Opera has addressed numerous underlying Chromium issues and delivered smoother scrolling, drag-and-drop, and tab switching. These details matter: a browser that feels momentarily sluggish or visually inconsistent erodes user confidence, while a snappy, seamless interface encourages long-term loyalty.
Opera’s update cadence has sometimes lagged behind Google’s Chrome or Microsoft’s Edge—both also based on Chromium. But with version 120 bringing the browser in line with Chromium 135.0.7049.115, Opera demonstrates renewed focus on staying current with bug patches, security fixes, and web standard compliance.

Chromebooks, Linux, and Cross-Platform Reach​

Opera 120 isn’t just a Windows story. The browser is available across Windows, macOS, and popular Linux distributions. It’s distributed as native packages for Debian (deb), Fedora/Red Hat (RPM), and also via Snap for broader device compatibility. Users on Chromebooks, too, have access via Linux (Crostini), though the split screen and some advanced tab features may be more limited on these devices.
Automatic updating means most users will soon benefit from these new features without manual intervention, but package maintainers note that Linux users may sometimes need to trigger an update via their distro’s package manager for the latest stable branch.

Security, Transparency, and the Chromium Quandary​

Opera’s promise of privacy-centric translation, built-in VPN, and improved password manager positions it as a consumer-friendly alternative to more heavyweight browsers. But it is also impossible to ignore Opera’s dependence on Chromium—an open-source project guided by Google’s development timeline.
Relying on Chromium grants Opera rapid adoption of new web standards and hardware acceleration features, but it can also introduce uncertainties when upstream changes or security bugs emerge. Opera’s track record of quickly rolling out critical security fixes is strong, but users should be aware that some delay compared to Google’s Chrome or even Microsoft Edge is almost inevitable.
Transparency remains a key element for user trust. Opera maintains a public changelog, and their privacy claims—while clear—would benefit from independent audits. Security researchers have found no major red flags with version 120, but the browser community continues to call for more open-source releases of core modules, better developer documentation, and third-party verifications, especially for built-in VPN and translation services.

Who Stands to Benefit Most from Opera 120?​

For Global Web Surfers​

The new translation engine is a game changer for users who routinely browse non-English sites. Whether following international news, conducting academic research, or shopping globally, Opera now offers a comparable—if not occasionally superior—alternative to Chrome or Edge’s translation features.

For Heavy Multitaskers​

Split screen within Tab Islands delivers a multitasking experience that is both natural and flexible. Researchers, students, and anyone who juggles multiple streams of information will appreciate the intuitive grouping and movement of tabs and split views.

For Privacy-Conscious Users​

Opera’s privacy stance, especially its European server localization and zero sharing of translation data, sets it apart from some competitors. While not foolproof or encryption-level private, Opera is clearly courting users wary of surveillance or commercial data mining.

For Linux and Cross-Device Users​

The broad cross-platform support means Opera 120 is viable not just as a primary browser on consumer PCs, but also for professionals, open-source enthusiasts, and those on alternative distributions. Being able to synchronize sessions, tabs, and settings across Windows, macOS, and Linux is a meaningful advantage in mixed-OS settings.

Areas for Improvement and Open Questions​

• Transparency and Audits: Opera would do well to submit its privacy infrastructure to independent security audits—especially for translation and VPN modules. This would ease lingering concerns about the handling of sensitive data.
• Feature Discoverability: As Opera’s feature set grows, new users (and even veterans) may miss out on tools like Tab Islands or miniplayer unless they’re prominently surfaced. Guided tours, overlays, or periodic tips could boost engagement with these differentiators.
• Advanced Translation Needs: Professional translators or users dealing in highly specialized content might still find built-in translation lacking. Support for glossary import, real-time collaborative translation, or deeper customization would appeal to enterprise and academic audiences.
• Upstream Dependency: Continued fast-tracking of Chromium security updates, along with contribution to the open-source ecosystem, will be crucial if Opera hopes to attract discerning users wary of Google’s influence.

Critical Verdict: Solid Progress, Smart Focus​

Opera 120 marks a turning point in the browser’s recent development arc. By finally shipping a native translator, refining multitasking tools, and polishing existing utilities, Opera stakes a claim as a user-centered alternative in a field long dominated by giants. Its strengths are clearest for privacy-conscious users, digital multitaskers, and anyone who values thoughtful UI design over unnecessary bloat.
Yet, risks remain. The proof of privacy promises will come from sustained transparency and third-party validation. The rapid pace of web technology means that today’s headlining feature could feel dated within a few release cycles, and Opera will need to iterate aggressively to stay relevant. Even so, this release should give both longtime fans and first-time downloaders plenty of reasons to give Opera another, or even a first, look.
For Windows enthusiasts—and indeed for anyone seeking a browser that balances innovation, privacy, and daily usability—Opera 120 represents a noteworthy and highly competitive update. Time will tell how well these changes resonate, but for now, Opera is more than catching up; it’s pushing forward.

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Source: Windows Report Opera 120 brings built-in translation and smarter split screen