Split out from bug 52442 comment 15:

The only problem that I see in the current situation is wrong impression from
the message that tells anonymous editors "You must be logged in to edit pages
on mobile". I think the edit button shouldn't be displayed for anonymous at all
if they don't have right to use it (to be consistent with permissions, as in
the case of "create" article in enwiki for anonymous), or at least should tell
users are welcomed to use desktop version. Maybe you should ask Jorm will have
a better idea...

This is actually two issues, as I see it. One issue is covered by bug 52442 (labeling tweak); this bug will cover the second issue (user experience for anons when editing has been disabled for them).

When you go to (for example) http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Prinzregent_Luitpold while logged out, there's a pencil icon, same as there is when you have permission to edit. However, this button is non-functional. While the desktop experience changes "edit" (or "edit this page") to "view source" in the user interface, MobileFrontend uses the same icon in both cases, I believe. Suddenly the pencil icon (without an accompanying lock earring) doesn't always mean that you can actually edit.

When you click "edit" and don't have permission, a message appears saying "You must be logged in to edit pages on mobile". This message language should be tweaked (the subject of bug 52442). However, in addition, we may want to consider adding an "edit on desktop" link to this message as part of resolving this bug as the desktop editor can still be used while anonymous editing has temporarily been disabled (bug 53069).

Version: unspecified
Severity: enhancement