Vivo announced Friday that it will unveil Origin OS 6, its next-generation user interface built on Android 16, in mid-October, marking a major shift in the company’s software strategy for global markets.
Launch timeline and availability
- October 10: Origin OS 6 will be showcased in China.
- October 15: Origin OS 6 will make its global debut, including India.
- September 29: Preview program registration opened in India.
Vivo confirmed the Vivo X300 Pro and Vivo X300 as the first models to ship with Origin OS 6 out of the box. iQOO’s upcoming flagship iQOO 15 is also expected to launch on the new skin in China.
Beta program and developer preview
iQOO India’s DGM of Product Management, Shankar Singh, announced on the company community forum that a developer beta of Origin OS 6 will be released soon. The beta will collect developer feedback and allow Vivo and iQOO to address bugs and stability issues before a wider rollout.
What Origin OS 6 brings
Vivo describes Origin OS 6 as “smoother, smarter, and more personal,” promising optimizations tied to Android 16 and a range of design and performance improvements. Key highlights the company has teased include:
- Redesigned home screen with dynamic widgets.
- Enhanced system animations and transitions for improved fluidity.
- Expanded personalization tools for wallpapers, themes, and widgets.
- A revamped lock screen featuring transparent elements, a new transparent colour palette, and real-time rendering effects that simulate natural light and adaptive contrast for a layered visual effect.
Strategic shift from Funtouch OS to Origin OS
The update signals the end of Vivo and iQOO’s long-standing dual-OS strategy that kept Origin OS exclusive to China while shipping Funtouch OS in international markets. Vivo will replace Funtouch OS 15 in India and other markets with Origin OS 6, creating brand uniformity across regions and aligning global devices with the company’s China-facing design language.
Market impact and expectations
Origin OS is known for its distinctive visuals, intricate animations, behavioural wallpapers, and interactive widgets. Analysts expect the move to Origin OS 6 to be one of the most significant software transitions for Vivo and iQOO in recent years, potentially changing how the brands position their software experience globally. Wider rollout dates and detailed device upgrade timelines have not been confirmed, but the developer beta and preview registration suggest a staged public release following the October launches.
