Firefox 157 redesign brings round tabs, new themes and Compact Mode to desktop and mobile

Firefox is about to look noticeably different the next time you open it. According to The Verge, Mozilla's Firefox 157 update delivers a visual overhaul to all users on desktop and mobile, trading sharp interface corners for bubble-like tabs, a rounded address bar and refreshed colors, icons and themes.

A rounder look everywhere

The redesign is the most immediately visible part of the release. Tabs and other interface elements are now rounded, and the desktop and mobile versions of the browser now share the same design language. The Verge also observes that the rounder interface makes Firefox visually resemble Chrome a bit more than it did before. Mozilla has stated that the visual rework carries no penalty for browser performance, addressing the common worry that added polish slows things down.

More ways to customize

Alongside the new look, Firefox 157 expands customization with more themes and wallpapers to choose from. The Verge reports that Mozilla gave a preview of the updated theme options in May, showing roughly a dozen different colors, each offered in both a light and a dark variant.

Compact Mode returns

One older feature is making a comeback with this release. Compact Mode, which Mozilla restored after user requests, shrinks the size of tabs and the toolbar so that more of the screen is devoted to web content. It also includes an auto-compact option aimed at smaller displays, a nod to users on compact laptops or anyone who wants maximum browsing space.

Part of a larger run of updates

Mozilla frames the redesign as a renewal for Firefox, according to The Verge, capping a year of significant changes to the browser. Those earlier updates included home page widgets, Split View, a built-in VPN and controls for disabling the browser's AI features. Mozilla has not stepped back from AI entirely, though: earlier this year it launched a Smart Window AI mode, which The Verge suggests could help Firefox compete with AI features offered in rival browsers such as Chrome.

Why it matters

Browser redesigns are infrequent and risky, since millions of users notice them instantly and opinions tend to be loud. This one lands on every desktop and mobile user who updates, making it one of Mozilla's most user-facing moves in some time. The unified design language across platforms should make Firefox feel more coherent for people who switch between devices, while the expanded themes and wallpapers give users more room to personalize the browser. The return of Compact Mode is also a small but meaningful signal that Mozilla is willing to reverse course based on direct user feedback. Combined with the past year's additions, including Split View, a built-in VPN, AI toggles and the Smart Window AI mode, the redesign reinforces the picture of a browser that is actively iterating rather than standing still in a market dominated by Chrome.