In what can be called a major leap in Vivo’s journey towards premiumisation and user-centric innovation, the brand has officially introduced OriginOS 6. The smartphone operating system designed to replace Funtouch OS lays emphasis on smoothness, intelligent and intuitive design, and deep integration of AI, or what the brand calls ‘Personal Intelligence’.
On the sidelines of the launch, indianexpress.com got in touch with a Vivo India executive who shared insights into how OriginOS 6 has been customised for Indian users and the company’s philosophy. More importantly, the conversation showed why the evolution of smartphone experience is no longer just about specifications but about offering a seamless and personalised bond between users and their devices.
Below are the edited excerpts from the conversation:
How would you describe the significance of OriginOS 6 for Vivo and your consumers in India?
Today is a very special day for us because we’re officially sharing what OriginOS 6 brings to Indian consumers. It’s not just a new version of software; it’s about elevating the overall smartphone experience. The journey toward premiumisation we began a few years ago continues here. We’ve listened carefully to feedback from users and industry experts, and OriginOS reflects a clear user-orientated approach.
How have Indian users evolved in their sensitivity to software updates and user experience?
Indian consumers have become very mature. Most users today have owned more than three smartphones. Their expectations are no longer limited to hardware specs; now they demand a personalised experience. For example, users love customising wallpapers and widgets; some change them every day. With OriginOS, we’re giving them that freedom of deeper customisation and personalisation rooted in design-driven innovation. This evolution has been shaped directly by active listening to Indian users.
Can you explain the transition from Funtouch OS to OriginOS 6? What pain points or challenges does it address?
I prefer calling them challenges rather than pain points. Hardware upgrades are easy to feel, such as higher RAM, more cameras, and faster charging. But the OS defines the experience, and that takes time to appreciate. Consumers today demand smoother multitasking, quick access to payments like UPI, and intuitive navigation. And all of these without compromising performance. So, OriginOS 6 is built on three pillars:
Smoothness: Consistent performance even with 20+ apps running.
Intuitiveness and design: More options for personalisation and a visually engaging interface.
AI-driven personal intelligence: Integrating AI in meaningful ways so the device anticipates your needs, not just responds.
Together, these form the backbone of our user-orientated, premium experience.
Traditionally, Indian buyers have prioritised hardware such as cameras, displays, and batteries. But now usability seems to matter more. How do you view this shift?
It’s part of a natural technological journey. As consumers mature, their expectations evolve. Think of how washing machines evolved from semi-automatic to fully automatic to steam-enabled. The function is the same, but the experience keeps improving. Similarly, with smartphones, the expectation has expanded beyond performance to ease of use. The market is not just changing; it’s maturing.
Vivo’s ‘personal intelligence’ AI system looks impressive. How do you ensure it’s not gimmicky and respects user privacy?
That’s an important question. For Vivo, this is a long-term strategy, not a gimmick. We’ve spent considerable time customising OriginOS for Indian needs. There’s a dedicated team ensuring AI is used meaningfully and not as a marketing buzzword. We’ve identified 13 real-world scenarios where AI genuinely adds value, from productivity to creative use cases. Privacy and efficient resource usage are central to all of this.
How receptive have Vivo users been to AI features so far?
I would say they are very receptive. Features like AI Erase have become quite popular; even I use them often. Beyond that, functions such as speech-to-text and text summarisation are gaining traction. Our focus is not on introducing the most features but on refining them for Indian contexts so they feel natural and useful.
Battery life remains a major concern for users. How does OriginOS 6 improve power management?
Vivo has continuously optimised performance and battery efficiency. Even as we add larger batteries, we maintain compact designs and light weights. Fast charging is another area of strength. For example, the X200 FE supports 90W charging. With OriginOS, you’ll see further optimisation between hardware and software, ensuring longer life and smoother multitasking without compromising efficiency.
Longevity and software updates are now key purchase factors. What’s Vivo’s roadmap for OriginOS 6 updates?
Our approach isn’t to chase numbers, whether it’s two years or seven years of updates. What matters most is quality and timeliness. If the first year’s experience isn’t good, extended updates won’t matter. Our focus is on speeding up rollouts and ensuring a consistent, satisfying experience across series, from the X-series to other lineups. The evolution of OriginOS will be continuous, and we’ll keep sharing progress as it develops.
Any final thoughts on what sets OriginOS apart?
In three words – smoothness, design, and intelligence. Each element reflects our core philosophy that technology should adapt to users, not the other way around. OriginOS marks a major step in that direction.
The Vivo executive explained how AI, design, and user feedback are shaping the future of mobile operating systems. (Express Image) 
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