Opera has released a beta version of Opera 10.5, a browser that it claims is eight times faster than its predecessor, Opera 10.

The new Javascript engine in the browser helped it to beat every other browser in tests using the SunSpider JavaScript benchmark suite, carried out by US technology website Computerworld.

Opera also claims that the new high performance graphics library Vega means Opera 10.5 offers smother visuals. The browser can be downloaded for free, although it’s currently only available for Windows operating systems. Mac and Linux versions will follow soon, said Opera.

Opera aslo showed off a version of its browser for the iPhone at the recent Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, which it is hoping to make available soon.

Opera Mini for iPhone features tabbed browsing and a homepage that displays thumbnails of your favorite site, though it hasn’t yet been officially approved by Apple.

Download not to test it your self from www.opera.com