It's also happening with Firefox. Stupid redesign, felt, each new version. It's not about the design.. but it is, because less readability, less contrast, less visible difference between active/inactive tabs.. and so on.. but you're right. Changing browser is a no-go, but having suddenly different UI is not???? Lol.

Are there UX changes? I haven't noticed any.

exactly. odd uh.

most firefox changes are actually to copy what chrome is doing.

like removing the search bar and forcing sending everything you type in the address bar to a search engine, having a logged in account in the browser, etc

Do you not see the irony in this? By admitting that you don't notice the (real and fairly recent and large) UI changes in Chrome you've just dropped all credibility from any argument you might have had about caring about the UI being different.

Firefox is really not that different. Even the keyboard shortcuts are the same.