Mozilla has released Firefox 156 with optimizations for handling large JPEG images. The browser now uses less memory and processor time when websites display downsized versions of high-resolution photographs.
Normally a browser must fully decode a JPEG file before scaling it to the required dimensions. Firefox 156 reduces the cost of this common operation, which occurs frequently on photo galleries, e-commerce sites, and news feeds that may contain dozens of such images.
The company does not publish a single performance figure because savings depend on original file sizes, the number of images, and the user’s hardware configuration.
PDF Viewer Improvements
A second notable change improves the built-in PDF viewer. According to Mozilla, it can now start up to 45 percent faster. The difference is most noticeable on the first opening of a document, when the browser loads required components.
The update rolls out on 15 September for supported desktop platforms. Users can check for it via the menu path Settings → About Firefox, after which the browser will download the new version and prompt for a restart.


