Google quietly launched a native version of its Chrome browser for Windows on ARM PCs, Windows Central reports. The new ARM64 build of Chrome is available on the browser’s Canary Channel and is expected to bring performance improvements compared to the emulated x86 version.

While Windows on ARM PCs are not yet mainstream, it’s surprising that Google waited this long to release its first ARM64 build, given that Google Chrome is the most popular web browser on the market. Microsoft Edge, based on the same Chromium open-source project as Google Chrome, has had native ARM64 support since 2020.

Windows 11 and Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips have improved the Windows on ARM experience, but it’s not yet at a no-compromises point. Microsoft still needs to persuade developers to recompile their apps for the ARM64 architecture, and the Windows on ARM ecosystem needs more competition on the silicon side.

Qualcomm is set to release its new Snapdragon X Elite chips this year, which could rival Apple’s M-series chips in performance and battery consumption. Nvidia and AMD are also reportedly developing their own ARM chips for Windows PCs, possibly launching in 2025.