Vivo is gearing up to roll out its most ambitious software revamp yet – OriginOS 6 – and it’s already drawing attention for one undeniable reason: it looks almost exactly like Apple’s iOS 26. That revelation might shock casual users, but for anyone who’s been watching the smartphone industry closely, it’s merely business as usual. 
The truth is simple: Apple defines the aesthetic standards, and Android brands like Vivo follow, often shamelessly but effectively.
After years of criticism aimed at its clunky Funtouch OS, Vivo finally decided to retire it in favor of something sleeker and supposedly more refined. OriginOS has long been available in China, but on October 15, it will make its global debut. A newly released promotional video gives us a clear look at what the rest of the world can expect – and it’s hard not to do a double take. Rounded icons, translucent menus, blurred backgrounds, and animations that ooze polish – everything screams Cupertino.
The interface seems inspired by Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic. Vivo’s designers have embraced a similar blend of depth and translucency, where every tap or swipe feels fluid and immersive. There’s a new Control Center that mirrors iOS’s quick toggles almost one-to-one, “squircle” icons that could easily pass as Apple’s, and notifications rendered with soft gradients that fade like watercolor. Even the lock screen wallpaper shifts dynamically, evoking Apple’s Spatial Scenes. The resemblances don’t end there – Vivo’s voice assistant animation is almost indistinguishable from Siri’s signature pulsating waves, and its new Focus Modes are a direct nod to Apple’s productivity features.
Of course, Vivo doesn’t want the world to see it as a mere copycat. Its marketing pushes the idea of “fluidity inspired by nature,” often using poetic references to flowing water. But beyond the metaphors, the real innovation might lie in its AI features. OriginOS 6 introduces Live Photos AI Removal, allowing users to erase unwanted people or objects from photos with a tap – a feature reminiscent of Google’s Magic Eraser but reimagined through Vivo’s lens. The company also touts smoother UI animations and a system-wide boost in responsiveness. One marketing line reads: “Every swipe, scroll, and tap flows like never before.”
Yet even with these advancements, it’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room: the relentless cloning of Apple’s software identity. Vivo’s imitation may be the most overt, but it’s hardly alone – Samsung’s One UI 8.5 has borrowed subtler cues from iOS, and it’s safe to expect others will follow. Apple’s influence has become the gravitational center of mobile design; no brand escapes its orbit. Whether that’s flattery or creative stagnation depends on who you ask. For consumers, though, it might simply mean more beautifully crafted options – even if they all look suspiciously familiar.
In short, OriginOS 6 is Vivo’s most polished and unapologetically Apple-inspired interface yet. It’s elegant, fluid, and modern – and while originality may be lacking, execution certainly isn’t. The question is no longer who copies Apple, but who does it best.