Picture this: You're scrolling through your new Vivo smartphone, and suddenly, it feels eerily familiar—like you're holding an iPhone instead. That's the jaw-dropping truth behind Vivo's OriginOS 6, which shamelessly mirrors Apple's Liquid Glass redesign from iOS 26. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this bold innovation or just blatant copying? Stick around, because we're diving deep into the details that could reshape how we view smartphone design.
Vivo's brand-new OriginOS 6 operating system seems like it was crafted by someone with iOS 26 running on a second monitor. From the gently curved app icons and hazy, frosted effects to the sleek, glass-inspired dock and wallpapers that shift with depth, the parallels are impossible to overlook. The brand is unmistakably adopting Apple's Liquid Glass style—a visual approach that sparked significant criticism upon its debut (as detailed in this Wccftech article on iOS 26's Liquid Glass design backlash and performance concerns) due to its challenges with usability, like potential slowdowns or confusing interfaces.
To help beginners grasp this, Liquid Glass is Apple's way of making the phone's interface look like it's made of shimmering, translucent glass, with layers that blur and reflect light for a modern, fluid feel. Vivo has taken this concept and woven it into OriginOS 6, featuring matching see-through effects, icons, and a sense of layered depth that makes everything pop. For instance, imagine notifications that softly blur the background, creating a dreamy overlay—much like how iOS 26 handles alerts to make them feel integrated rather than intrusive.
During Vivo's unveiling of OriginOS 6, they highlighted themes of 'flow' and 'seamless movement,' prioritizing smooth animations and tight integration over radical overhauls. Yet, the echoes of Apple's design are hard to dismiss, permeating nearly every corner of the system, particularly the Lock Screen. It looks like Apple's innovative spirit is once again inspiring the entire mobile world—and this is the part most people miss: how quickly trends spread in tech.
Let's break down the most striking resemblances, drawing from iOS 26's release just under a month ago (check out this Wccftech guide on iOS 26's Liquid Glass features and how to download it). Here's a closer examination of the design elements OriginOS 6 appears to have borrowed directly:
Semi-Transparent Panels and Blurred Layers: OriginOS 6 employs the exact same hazy blur effects that Apple uses in iOS 26 for notifications, widgets, and menus, giving a sense of depth without cluttering the screen.
Soft-Edged App Icons and Controls: Those signature rounded corners that define Apple's modern look are almost perfectly replicated in Vivo's icon set, making apps feel approachable and polished.
Elevated Dock and Stacked Visual Layers: Just like iOS 26, OriginOS 6 features a floating dock and overlapping UI elements that create subtle shadows, mimicking the illusion of glass surfaces.
Interactive Backgrounds with Light Play: Both platforms incorporate live wallpapers that respond to your movements and lighting, adding a dynamic, almost magical fluidity to the display—think of it as your phone's wallpaper coming alive, bending light like real glass.
Consistent Quick Settings Layout: Vivo's updated toggles and sliders in the Control Center mirror Apple's, right down to the spacing, transparency, and gradient colors, ensuring a familiar swipe-down experience.
Identical Lock Screen and Personalization Options: The Lock Screen is visually indistinguishable from iOS 26, and Vivo has even maintained the same customization features, letting users tweak it just as intuitively.
Now, is this mere imitation or a savvy business move? In the competitive world of smartphones, borrowing ideas isn't new—companies often refine each other's concepts to stay ahead. But the extent of the similarities between iOS 26 and OriginOS 6 crosses into uncanny territory, prompting debates: Are we witnessing a natural evolution of design trends, or is Vivo deliberately riding Apple's coattails to boost appeal? For Vivo, embracing this aesthetic might elevate the perceived premium quality of their devices, attracting users who crave that sleek, high-end vibe. However, there's a flip side—risking accusations of lacking creativity if the changes don't include genuine breakthroughs underneath the surface. And this is where opinions diverge: Some might argue it's smart strategy in a fast-paced market, while others see it as lazy design theft.
Could Vivo's adoption of Apple's Liquid Glass spark a massive transformation in how smartphones look and feel across the industry? It's a question worth pondering, as it might set a new standard—or ignite a wave of backlash.
What do you think? Is Vivo innovating by adapting, or just copying to cut corners? Do you believe this level of similarity helps or hurts the smartphone ecosystem? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let's discuss! And don't forget to follow Wccftech on Google (via this profile link) or set us as a preferred source in your Google preferences to stay updated with our latest news and reviews.
