Chinese smartphone makers are already copying Apple's Liquid Glass UI

[DragonSlayer101]

Facepalm: Chinese smartphone vendor Vivo unveiled its Android 16-based OriginOS 6 update in Shenzhen earlier today, ahead of its global debut next week. The official video showcases several notable features, but many users noticed that the new UI has an uncanny resemblance to iOS 26.

At its annual developer conference, Vivo unveiled the latest versions of its mobile operating systems: OriginOS 6 for smartphones and BlueOS 3 for smartwatches. OriginOS 6 introduces a completely redesigned interface and a suite of AI tools across dozens of Vivo and iQOO phones.

Despite the many AI features in the new UI, it has drawn attention on social media for its striking similarity to Apple's Liquid Glass design. Like iOS 26, Vivo's Android skin features a glassy interface with translucent panels and frosted overlays.

Other design elements include rounded app icons and buttons, a hovering dock on the homescreen, and stacked UI layers with depth shadows for a glass-like appearance. OriginOS 6 also adds real-time and progressive blur, similar to iOS 26. The redesigned native apps also maintain the glassy look, further echoing iOS 26.

The lockscreen in OriginOS 6 also closely resembles the iOS 26 lockscreen, including an animated clock that strongly mirrors the default Apple design. The update introduces a new 'Atomic Island,' which appears to be a clear imitation of the iPhone's Dynamic Island. The official video further shows the music widget background transitioning from opaque to translucent, again echoing iOS 26's visual style.

Blatant copying aside, OriginOS 6 introduces advanced technologies, including super-core computing, dual-rendering architecture, and photonic storage to make animations and transitions smoother. Notable new AI features include a phone assistant, object eraser, summary generation, and Circle to Search 2.0.

The Vivo X300 Pro, Vivo X300, and iQOO 15 will be the first devices to run OriginOS 6 out of the box, though several existing models will also receive the update.

According to the official schedule, the Vivo X Fold and X200 series, along with the iQOO 13 and iQOO Neo 10 Pro series, will get the new UI next month, while Vivo plans to update older devices between December 2025 and May 2026.

Permalink to story:

Chinese smartphone makers are already copying Apple's Liquid Glass UI

 

[NumberNine]

Even when the trends are stupid, they smell money and come running.

On the other hand, it might be nice to run a business that rarely has to make its own decisions.

 

[p51d007]

Chinese smartphone maker...all you need to know. That crazy country COPIES anything.
LOL, what was the last thing they invented on their own? Gunpowder?

 

[yannus]

Chinese smartphone maker...all you need to know. That crazy country COPIES anything.
LOL, what was the last thing they invented on their own? Gunpowder?

They are a weapon against the western civilization. They have been created as a global enslaved factory for that purpose, as Hollywood (and video games, shhhhh) has been created to destroy minds from within.

 

[QuaZulu]

Chinese smartphone maker...all you need to know. That crazy country COPIES anything.
LOL, what was the last thing they invented on their own? Gunpowder?

Covid

 

[pnntmp]

China stealing something is not news.

If every time they steal something there is an article about that, there will be nothing else to read about. If they ever create something without stealing involved - that would be a sensation.

 

[Liranan]

One positive article about China has to be offset by several propaganda pieces.

Nobody has 'stolen' more than Apple, who are usually late to innovations that others adopted years before. When Apple finally adopt WiFi QR scanning Apple fanatics will proclaim it as the greatest achievement and revolutionary.

 

[Axeia]

Who's copying who again?

Although I'd argue that not even Vista was the original. "Project looking glass" the early days of hardware accelerated desktop development on Linux set it off imo, but it's hard to find screenshots of that era.

 

[Loadedaxe]

Who's copying who again?

Although I'd argue that not even Vista was the original. "Project looking glass" the early days of hardware accelerated desktop development on Linux set it off imo, but it's hard to find screenshots of that era.

In all fairness Apples macOS Aqua in 2001 was the first to use the "glass look, even before Linux...they just stopped using it in macOS Yosemite in 2014. MS first attempt was with Longhorn, but never transpired until 2007 when Vista was released.

Project Looking Glass was actually designed by Sun Micro Systems back in 2003, 2 years after Aqua.

 

[trieste1s]

What's wrong with copying, if everybody benefits including Apple?

 

[Loadedaxe]

What's wrong with copying, if everybody benefits including Apple?

I don’t see why this is such a major issue. It seems like something people bring up just to have a reason to complain. All manufacturers do it to some extent.....whether it’s automobiles, tablets, laptops, phones, or even homes. It’s simply part of how it has been done forever.

 

[p51d007]

Covid

Considering I've had that twice, I should have "caught" that one!

 

[p51d007]

They are a weapon against the western civilization. They have been created as a global enslaved factory for that purpose, as Hollywood (and video games, shhhhh) has been created to destroy minds from within.

And all because of politicians on BOTH sides. Nixon "opened up" China...and Clinton signed the "most favored nation" deal. Can't count on either party these days.

 

[trieste1s]

I don’t see why this is such a major issue. It seems like something people bring up just to have a reason to complain. All manufacturers do it to some extent.....whether it’s automobiles, tablets, laptops, phones, or even homes. It’s simply part of how it has been done forever.

Exactly. The world benefitted greatly because the USA copied, stole, "borrowed" plenty of copyrighted and patented tech from the British Empire. At some point in time, the imperfect patent system actually hinders good tech from reaching the masses, long after the original founders having made their fortunes.

 

[Axeia]

In all fairness Apples macOS Aqua in 2001 was the first to use the "glass look

Fair enough, although aqua was for the most part just gradients with a harsh line giving the impression of light reflecting along with lowered opacity on titlebars. There was no blending / attempt at imitating glass. Apple's latest attempt definitely looks an awful lot like Vista.

hot take: I've always liked Vista even aside from the UI, heck even Win ME treated me well.

 

[AndreV]

Like someone said it: "All books are books about books about books; books multiplied by mitosis." so its the same with tech, thoughts, behavior, etc.

 

[Loadedaxe]

Fair enough, although aqua was for the most part just gradients with a harsh line giving the impression of light reflecting along with lowered opacity on titlebars. There was no blending / attempt at imitating glass. Apple's latest attempt definitely looks an awful lot like Vista.

hot take: I've always liked Vista even aside from the UI, heck even Win ME treated me well.

Yeah, I agree Vista looked nice at the time, I just did not like the thin white lines around the windows. The needed to be more subtle, not so bright.