Vivo is finally bringing its OriginOS to its phones in India, marking a significant shift in its software strategy. This move, confirmed by the rebranding of Vivo India's Funtouch OS social media handle to OriginOS, signals the replacement of the Funtouch OS with OriginOS. Here's what it means for users:

What is OriginOS?

OriginOS is an Android-based operating system developed by Vivo. It's known for its unique design, smooth animations, and extensive customization options. In China, OriginOS has been exclusive to Vivo and iQOO phones, while global markets, including India, have used Funtouch OS.

Why the Change?

Funtouch OS has often been criticized for its relatively simple animations, inconsistent navigation, and limited personalization. By introducing OriginOS to India, Vivo aims to offer a more refined and consistent software experience. This aligns the user experience with that offered in China, creating a unified interface across key markets.

OriginOS 6: What to Expect?

The OriginOS version launching in India is expected to be OriginOS 6, based on Android 16. Vivo has confirmed that OriginOS 6 will be unveiled in China on October 10, 2025, at the vivo Developer Conference. Registration for the OriginOS 6 Preview Program will begin on September 29 in China, followed by an official reveal on October 10.

OriginOS 6 is built around a "Comfort Engineering" design philosophy, aiming for a more natural and intuitive user experience. Key features and improvements expected include:

• Revamped Lock Screen: Enhanced customization options, real-time rendering to simulate natural light refractions and shadows, and a transparent color palette. The digital clock component intelligently adjusts the contrast based on the lighting, creating a more layered, three-dimensional effect.
• Improved Widgets: Enhanced widget functionality.
• Smoother Animations: More fluid animations throughout the interface.
• AI-powered Optimizations: Deeper AI integration for daily tasks. An AI call assistant is said to be capable of translating conversations in real-time and generating call summaries.
• Refined Productivity Features: Enhanced features like Atomic Island, which delivers live activity updates and contextual suggestions based on copied content.
• Visual Refinements: Refreshed icons and redesigned UI components.
• Greater Customization: Broader personalization options throughout the system. Users can customize the size and length of application icons.

Which Devices Will Get OriginOS 6?

The OriginOS 6 India launch will likely coincide with the rollout of Vivo's upcoming flagship devices, the Vivo X300 series, ensuring that users get the latest software straight out of the box. The Vivo X300 series and the iQOO 15 are anticipated to be the first devices to ship with OriginOS 6. While Vivo hasn't released a full rollout list, industry insiders suggest that premium and mid-range devices will be the first to receive the update. Expected models include:

• Vivo X Series (flagship lineup)
• Vivo V Series (mid-range, popular in India)
• iQOO Neo and iQOO Pro Series (performance-focused)

Vivo will likely introduce Origin OS on its high-end phones first, such as the upcoming Vivo X300 series, before the new software makes its way to mid-range and budget devices.

What it Means for Users

The introduction of OriginOS in India is expected to significantly enhance the user experience for Vivo and iQOO smartphone users. Users can anticipate:

• A more visually appealing and intuitive interface.
• Improved performance and smoother operation.
• Greater customization options to personalize their devices.
• Smarter AI integration for daily tasks.
• Enhanced gaming performance on iQOO devices.
• Regular updates and better system stability.

Update Policy

Vivo typically provides monthly, quarterly, and regular security updates for selected devices, including Android security patches released by Google. The company's update policy varies across different series. Flagship X series smartphones are eligible for major Android OS upgrades and security updates for three years. However, this applies to selected models launching after July 2021. Some older X series models and V series phones receive two years of Android updates and three years of security patches, while Y series phones get only one Android update and two years of security patches. T series phones may receive only one year of Android updates and two years of security patches.

Potential Downsides

It remains to be seen if OriginOS 6 will also come with ads and bloatware, like Funtouch OS.

Overall, the arrival of OriginOS in India is a welcome development for Vivo and iQOO users. It promises a more polished, feature-rich, and customizable user experience, potentially strengthening Vivo's position in the competitive smartphone market.