OriginOS in India: Deserves the Hype?

Summary

Origin OS has finally arrived in India, sparking a lot of excitement, but is it really as great as people think? This update brings several improvements, such as a more modern lock screen with customizable features, smoother animations, and a cleaner UI. However, it still falls short in areas like home screen customization and widget design, with many features remaining similar to FunTouch OS. While new features like the Origin Island and Private Search are impressive, bloatware and annoying notifications still persist. Overall, it’s a step in the right direction, but there’s room for more refinement in future updates.

Takeaways

• 😀 Origin OS has launched in India, and while there's excitement, there are still key areas where it doesn't fully impress.
• 😀 Many users are critical of FunTouch OS for its limited customization, clunky animations, outdated UI elements, and bloatware, and Origin OS aims to address these.
• 😀 The lock screen is a major improvement with resizable clock styles, new widgets, and dynamic flip cards that work with custom photos.
• 😀 Visual updates have been made to the notification center and quick settings, offering a more modern design, including a glassy effect and more intuitive brightness and volume sliders.
• 😀 While the UI looks cleaner overall, some key features, like full-screen AOD and dock options, are still missing.
• 😀 The app drawer and home screen remain largely unchanged, with a limited set of new widgets and an overall look similar to FunTouch OS.
• 😀 Animations have been improved but still don't match the smoothness and fluidity of Oxygen OS, which remains the gold standard for animations.
• 😀 Haptic feedback has also been enhanced with more options, though it still doesn't surpass Oxygen OS in terms of feel and precision.
• 😀 New features such as Origin Island, inspired by the movie *Shutter Island*, provide contextual app suggestions and support for apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Maps.
• 😀 Despite improvements, users are still receiving annoying notifications and bloatware, indicating that Origin OS hasn't completely solved the issues of unwanted ads and recommendations.
• 😀 Overall, Origin OS brings positive changes to the UI and experience, but it lacks the full visual overhaul many hoped for, with the hope that future updates will address these concerns.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the review about Origin OS?

The review primarily focuses on analyzing the features and changes brought by Origin OS, especially in terms of its UI, animations, new features like Origin Island, and improvements over FunTouch OS.

What improvements does Origin OS bring to the lock screen compared to FunTouch OS?

Origin OS introduces a more dynamic and customizable lock screen. Key improvements include a resizable clock, lock screen widgets for countdowns and personal events, and unique wallpapers with depth effects. The new lock screen notifications are also cleaner and more minimalist.

Are there any missing features on the lock screen in Origin OS?

Yes, despite improvements, some features are still missing, such as a full-screen Always-On Display (AOD) and the ability to show the time remaining for a full charge on the lock screen.

How does the new notification center and quick settings look in Origin OS?

The notification center and quick settings in Origin OS are more modern, with updated icons, a cleaner design, and a glassy effect. The brightness slider is thicker, offering more control, and the volume slider has a more streamlined design. The settings button is now at the top for easier access.

What new features are included in the app drawer in Origin OS?

Origin OS brings the ability to select apps directly from the app drawer, avoiding the need for drag-and-drop. It also allows users to create folders in the app drawer, providing better organization.

What changes have been made to the settings page in Origin OS?

The settings page has been revamped with a new card layout, updated icons, and a cleaner, more organized structure. The battery section has also been improved to show stats like screen-on time for the past seven days.

Are there any significant visual changes to the home screen and icons in Origin OS?

Despite some minor changes, the home screen and app drawer largely retain the same appearance as in FunTouch OS. The icons remain mostly unchanged, and the new widgets are still limited.

How do the animations in Origin OS compare to those in Oxygen OS?

The animations in Origin OS are smoother and more refined compared to FunTouch OS, with little details like the enlarging clock when opening the control center. However, they are not as fluid or as polished as Oxygen OS, which remains the benchmark for smooth animations.

What is the Origin Island feature, and how does it enhance the user experience?

Origin Island is a new feature inspired by the movie 'Shutter Island,' offering a dynamic, interactive space for notifications and app interactions. It supports music apps like Spotify and YouTube Music, provides contextual suggestions, and offers drag-and-go functionality for easy app management.

Does Origin OS still have the issue of bloatware and notifications from stock apps?

Yes, Origin OS still includes bloatware and notifications from stock apps like the browser and themes app, which can be annoying. These can be turned off, but the reviewer hopes Vivo will improve this in future updates.