Firefox on the verge of a major redesign: This is what the browser could look like

PCWorld describes Project Nova as the biggest Firefox redesign in around six years. According to Ajit Varma, Mozilla wants to modernize the browser without forcing users into a rigid interface. Planned changes include more personalization, widgets, improvements to tabs and settings, and the return of Compact Mode. The New Tab page is also set to be redesigned.

Firefox expert Sören Hentzschel had already published the first mockups for Project Nova at the beginning of March. At the same time, however, he pointed out that the work is still at an early stage. The designs shown should therefore not be seen as a final preview, but they do offer an indication of the direction Firefox could take.

AI is also expected to play an important role in the redesign, though with a clear emphasis on user control. Since version 148, Firefox has offered a dedicated AI Controls section in the settings. There, generative AI features can be managed centrally or disabled entirely. In a Mozilla post, Varma also stresses that Firefox wants to focus on freedom of choice rather than compulsion when it comes to AI.

Strategic pressure is also part of the picture. According to data cited by PCWorld, Firefox held a market share of 3.45% in the US and 10.43% in Germany in March 2026. Mozilla is therefore trying to reposition the browser both visually and functionally, without fully aligning itself with Chromium-based competitors such as Chrome and Edge.

The interview also suggests that Mozilla wants to position Firefox more strongly as a platform for its own services. In this context, PCWorld mentions Relay, Monitor, VPN features, possible subscription models and a stronger enterprise focus. A concrete release date for Project Nova is not yet known.