It’s Not A Lacking Piece, It’s An Evolution: Vivo On OriginOS 6 | Devices

Vivo introduced that OriginOS 6 would formally substitute Funtouch OS throughout its supported units, together with the iQOO line-up, and so they say it’s not only a software program replace. OriginOS has marked a strategic shift for a corporation that’s lengthy been praised for its {hardware} facet of issues however usually criticised for its cluttered and inconsistent software program. For those that don’t know, OriginOS 6 brings a cleaner design, smoother animations, and higher system stability.

After an in depth dialog with the Vivo product staff, it turned evident that OriginOS isn’t nearly aesthetics, because the model needs OriginOS to supply a premium expertise.

When I requested them the principle motive for this shift, they stated it’s pushed by shopper want. ‘People today don’t select {hardware} or software program individually; they select the general expertise, and Vivo is a user-oriented model. We realised that to ship a real flagship expertise, the OS should play a central function.’

This understanding got here from observing how Indian shoppers work together with expertise. The smartphone market has matured, and most customers have gone by a number of improve cycles and now search one thing past specs.

A step past {hardware}

While reviewing Vivo’s flagship smartphones, I’ve at all times praised their {hardware}, however the software program has usually left me wanting extra. And I don’t simply imply by way of aesthetics. Some UI parts really feel inconsistent, and the adverts and pop-ups make the expertise really feel a bit dated. This turns into extra noticeable whenever you place a Vivo X sequence cellphone subsequent to a flagship from Samsung or Apple. Vivo is conscious of this notion however chooses to current OriginOS as an evolution somewhat than a correction.

‘It’s not a lacking piece, it’s an evolution,’ the Vivo staff stated. ‘We have been improving step by step, from Funtouch OS 14 to 15, and now to OriginOS 6. Each stage has been about refining smoothness, stability, and app optimisation. The end goal is simple — to make Vivo’s telephones really feel premium in and out. That means smoother efficiency, extra intuitive design, and fewer pointless distractions.’

AI, AI, AI

Even if the AI options will not be as helpful to you as corporations declare them to be, the truth is that these options are a headline for a smartphone maker right this moment. But Vivo’s tackle AI is extra restrained. ‘Consumers told us they don’t care about what number of AI encompasses a model presents,’ stated the Vivo staff. ‘They care about whether AI helps them do things better or faster.’

Vivo’s focus areas are sensible: digicam enhancement, picture customisation, and productiveness instruments like speech-to-text and summarisation. The firm additionally plans to increase language assist, beginning with correct Hindi recognition and finally extra regional languages.

A cleaner, extra thoughtful expertise

One of essentially the most constant criticisms of Vivo’s software program has been round bloatware and not-so-useful notifications. But with the entire revamp, Vivo has an excellent alternative to make it go away. When I requested the Vivo staff about the identical, that is what they needed to say: ‘With OriginOS, we’ve addressed that ache level. The interface is cleaner, and pointless prompts have been dialled down.’

I’ve been utilizing the iQOO 13 with the OriginOS 6 beta model for a while now. While some pre-installed apps nonetheless exist, Vivo says the main focus is on refinements, together with a dedication to cut back redundant notifications from system apps just like the theme retailer or Vivo app retailer.

When does it come out

Starting subsequent month (November 2025), Vivo will start rolling out OriginOS 6 in phases. Early adopters will embody customers of the newest Vivo flagship fashions, such because the X200 sequence, X200 FE, X Fold 5, and V60, who can anticipate the replace by early November. This might be rapidly adopted by earlier flagships just like the Vivo X100 sequence and X Fold 3 Pro round mid-November.

In parallel, iQOO customers will see the iQOO 13 replace in November, with the iQOO 12 following by mid-November. The replace schedule continues into December 2025 for a number of mid-range Vivo units, together with the V60e, V50, V50e, T4 Ultra, T4 Pro, and T4R, in addition to the iQOO Neo 10, Neo 10R, and Neo 9 Pro.

The remaining supported telephones from each manufacturers, comprising the remainder of the Vivo X, V, T, and Y sequence fashions and the iQOO 11, Z10 sequence, and Z9 sequence units, are deliberate to obtain the OriginOS 6 replace all through the primary half of 2026.

Ultimately, the main focus of Vivo’s OriginOS is obvious: to make the whole UI really feel extra premium and refined. ‘For anyone upgrading from Funtouch OS, we want them to feel the difference immediately,’ the Vivo staff concluded.

OriginOS might not reinvent Android. It remains to be a piece in progress, but it surely’s a step in the suitable route, and one thing like this was lengthy overdue from Vivo. It helps the model lastly match the polish of its {hardware} with an equally elegant software program expertise. And that, for a lot of customers, is the improve they’ve been ready for.