Opera One Adds Vertical Tabs and Google Lens Search Bar Integration

Opera has updated its Opera One browser for Mac and Windows with an optional vertical tab strip, joining Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Chrome in adopting the increasingly popular layout. The update also integrates Google Lens directly into the browser's start page search bar.



The new Vertical Tabs feature replaces the traditional horizontal tab strip with a resizable panel along the left side of the browser window. Opera says the layout keeps page titles readable regardless of how many tabs are open, avoiding the familiar problem of tabs shrinking until only favicons remain. Users can collapse the panel when they need more screen space, while pinned tabs appear as a grid at the top of the strip. Opera's existing Tab Islands feature, which groups related tabs into collapsible sections, remains available in the vertical layout, with most of its functionality preserved.


Users can enable the feature by right-clicking any tab and selecting "Use vertical tab strip," through the Easy Setup menu, or under Settings > Browser > Tabs. They can also switch between full tab titles and a compact icon-only view.



Vertical tabs have gradually spread across major desktop browsers. Microsoft Edge introduced them in 2021. Firefox added them in early 2025. Chrome joined the trend with its own rollout earlier this year. Safari still relies on Tab Groups accessed through the sidebar rather than offering a dedicated vertical tab strip. Apple is testing AI-powered tab organization for Safari in iOS 27, which could provide another way to manage large numbers of tabs without relying on a persistent side panel.

Opera expanded its existing Google Lens integration by bringing it directly into the search bar on the browser's start page. Clicking the Lens icon opens a dialog where users can upload an image, drag and drop a file, paste from the clipboard, or enter an image URL to perform a visual search. Results open in the current tab.

The update is available now in Opera One on Mac and Windows.