Wow, I didn't believe you, and had to try it myself. You are totally right. Checking the "Request desktop site" checkbox, reddit loads a lot faster on my phone. That is really sad.
I never downloaded the reddit mobile app, and have always just stuck with mobile web whenever I wanted to browse it. But now I'll be sure to just request desktop site.
They should make a PWA version. Although i akready add the site icon to my home screen. Opens in chrome. But an optimized PWA would be nice. I read a WIRED story about a redesign, hope it doesn't slow it more.
Worth trying out the third party reddit apps, like Alien Blue (before it was acquired by Reddit and ruined).
I love how they show a pop-up every single time you use the mobile web site, listing things the app can do, and every one is something I don’t want.
If you go to a nsfw subreddit first, you can switch to desktop without the popup (on the 18+ page) and then browse the rest at leisure.
i turned it off. google indicates it was in the hamburger menu in the top right on the mobile site, but i dont have the option to turn it on/off now, not sure if its because i turned it off already.