iQOO Neo 7 Series Gets OriginOS 6 Update: Official Confirmation and Pros and Cons

iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya has officially confirmed that the iQOO Neo 7 and Neo 7 Pro will receive the OriginOS 6 update based on Android 16 in the first half of 2026. This announcement marks a significant development as both devices have already fulfilled their promised software update cycle of two major OS updates and three years of security patches. The confirmation came through an official post on X (formerly Twitter) on November 6, 2025.

Originally launched in 2023 with Android 13-based FunTouch OS 13, both phones are currently running Android 15. The addition of OriginOS 6 represents a third major Android update, exceeding the manufacturer’s initial commitment.

iQOO Neo 7 Series Gets OriginOS 6 Update: Official Update Timeline for India

Device Model	Launch OS	Current OS	OriginOS 6 Arrival	Update Status
iQOO Neo 7	Android 13 (FunTouch OS 13)	Android 15	First Half 2026	Beyond Official Policy
iQOO Neo 7 Pro	Android 13 (FunTouch OS 13)	Android 15	First Half 2026	Beyond Official Policy
iQOO 13	Android 15	Android 15	November 2025	Rolling Out Now
iQOO 12	Android 14	Android 15	November 2025	Scheduled

Source: Official announcement by iQOO India

Key Features of OriginOS 6 Update

iQOO Neo 7 and Neo 7 Pro smartphones receiving OriginOS 6 Android 16 update - Official announcement by Ethical Founder

OriginOS 6 introduces a new “Light and Shadow Space” design language that simulates natural lighting and depth, making interface elements feel physically layered rather than flat. The update brings several important improvements:

Design and Interface

Transparent lock screen clock with glass-like refractions, similar to iOS 26’s Liquid Glass feature
Movable clock placement anywhere on the lock screen with customizable photo modules
Gradual Blur effects and Elastic Motion features for smoother visual transitions
Widget stacking and notification stacking for better screen space management

Performance Improvements

Origin Smooth Engine coordinates computing, storage, and display components to enhance responsiveness
8+1 Ultra-Core Computing architecture improves app cold-start speed by 18.5% and frame-rate stability by 10.5%
Memory Fusion technology increases data loading speed by 106%
Dual rendering architecture achieves 11% improved frame rate stability and 35% improved rendering efficiency

AI and Smart Features

Origin Island displays live updates and contextual information at the top of the screen
Enhanced Xiao V assistant with improved AI lighting effects
AI-powered object removal from Live Photos
Xiao V Memory 2.0 hub for managing notes, reminders, and forgotten tasks

Complete Rollout Schedule (India)

Timeline	Eligible Devices	Current Status
November 2025	iQOO 13, iQOO 12	Stable rollout started
Mid-December 2025	iQOO Neo 10, iQOO Neo 10R, iQOO Neo 9 Pro	Scheduled
First Half 2026	iQOO Neo 7, iQOO Neo 7 Pro, iQOO 11, iQOO Z10 5G, iQOO Z10R 5G, iQOO Z10x 5G, iQOO Z9 5G, iQOO Z9s Pro 5G, iQOO Z9s 5G	Confirmed

Source: iQOO India official announcement

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Performance Enhancement Comparison Chart

Performance Metric	FunTouch OS 15 (Android 15)	OriginOS 6 (Android 16)	Improvement
App Cold-Start Speed	Baseline	Optimized	+18.5% faster
Frame Rate Stability	Standard	Enhanced	+10.5% improvement
Data Loading Speed	Normal	Memory Fusion enabled	+106% faster
Animation Performance	Basic	Dual Rendering	+35% efficiency
App Responsiveness	Standard	Ultra-Core Computing	+57% more responsive
Frame Rate Consistency	Baseline	Blue River Engine	+11% improvement

Data compiled from official Vivo and iQOO technical specifications

iQOO Neo 7 Series Gets OriginOS 6 Update PROS and CONS

Advantages

Extended software support – Third major OS update beyond official policy demonstrates strong commitment to existing users
Significant performance gains – Measurable improvements in app launch speed, stability, and responsiveness
Enhanced user interface – Modern design language brings fresh, premium look to mid-range devices
AI-powered features – Smart assistance and contextual information improve daily usability
Better customization – Flexible lock screen and home screen options allow personal expression

Disadvantages

Delayed rollout timeline – First half 2026 means users must wait 6-7 months after flagship devices
Large update size – Similar updates have been approximately 3.97GB in size, requiring significant storage space
Learning curve – Complete transition from FunTouch OS to OriginOS may require adjustment period
Potential initial bugs – Early versions of major updates often need subsequent patches
Feature availability – Some advanced features may be optimized for newer hardware

Preparation Checklist

Before installing the OriginOS 6 update, users should:

Backup all important data through cloud services or local storage
Free up storage space – Maintain at least 6GB of available internal storage
Charge device to minimum 60% battery level
Connect to stable Wi-Fi to avoid mobile data charges
Check app compatibility with Android 16 through Play Store updates
Note current settings for easier reconfiguration after update

Our Final Thoughts

iQOO’s decision to extend OriginOS 6 support to the Neo 7 series, which launched in 2023 and has already received its promised updates, demonstrates the brand’s growing commitment to software longevity. This move positions iQOO favorably among competitors who typically adhere strictly to minimum update commitments.

The update brings meaningful improvements in performance, design, and functionality. For Neo 7 series owners, this represents excellent value retention for devices approaching their third year in the market.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Yes, iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya has officially confirmed that both iQOO Neo 7 and Neo 7 Pro will receive OriginOS 6 (Android 16) in the first half of 2026. This is a bonus update beyond the company’s original two-year OS update policy.

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Based on previous major OriginOS updates, expect approximately 4GB download size. However, you should maintain at least 6GB of free internal storage to ensure smooth installation and temporary file handling during the update process.

No, the opposite is expected. OriginOS 6 includes Origin Smooth Engine and 8+1 Ultra-Core Computing architecture specifically designed to improve performance on older hardware. Official data shows 18.5% faster app launch speeds and 10.5% better frame rate stability.

Yes, the update will be optional when it arrives. However, skipping it means missing significant performance improvements, security patches, and new features. You can delay installation but it’s recommended to update within a few months for optimal security.

Most apps will work seamlessly as developers typically ensure compatibility with new Android versions before public rollout. However, very old or abandoned apps might face issues. Check the Google Play Store for app updates before installing OriginOS 6.

This is unlikely. Android 16 (OriginOS 6) already exceeds iQOO’s official update commitment. While the brand has shown willingness to extend support, expecting a fourth major OS update would be unrealistic for a 2023 mid-range device.

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OriginOS 6’s AI features are designed for efficiency. The Origin Smooth Engine intelligently manages background processes and adapts power consumption based on usage patterns. Early reports from flagship devices show neutral to slightly positive battery performance compared to previous versions.

OriginOS 6 uses a hybrid approach. Basic AI functions like Xiao V assistant and smart notifications work on-device using the existing processor. Advanced features like AI object removal from photos may require cloud processing, depending on the complexity of the task.