Vivo’s spin-off brand, iQOO, has begun rolling out the stable Android 15 update for the iQOO Z9s, just two weeks after the update was made available for the iQOO Z9s Pro. This update brings a host of new features and improvements.
The update for the iQOO Z9s comes with the firmware version PD2406GF_EX_A_15.1.9.7.W30. Being a major OS upgrade, it requires a significant amount of data, approximately 2.35GB, according to Ratibhan (a user on X).
The update is being released in phases and will reach all users in the coming days. However, users can request the trial version for quicker access. The FuntouchOS 15 update introduces several new features, such as an updated UI, lock screen customization, Circle to Search, and enhanced AI functionalities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the changes included in this update:
System:
- Introduced the Priority Scheduling algorithm to optimize resource allocation for different apps and tasks, improving system smoothness.
- Added a Rapid Dynamic Effect Engine, creating a dedicated channel for dynamic effects to enhance visual smoothness by providing timely feedback.
- Implemented memory enhancement technology to better manage memory usage, improve space efficiency, and ensure smoother multitasking.
- Introduced the Link to Windows feature, allowing seamless access to notifications, calls, photos, and more on your computer, boosting phone-to-computer integration. This feature can be accessed via Settings > More connections > Link to Windows.
- Optimized system dynamic effects with the new Origin animation, which incorporates human factors research and physical principles for a more natural and smooth experience.
- Refined the system’s public control and icon libraries, ensuring a more organized and intuitive user interface for a better user experience.
Wallpapers:
- Added several sets of static wallpapers in various styles, bringing vibrant colors to enrich your screen.
- Introduced multiple sets of live immersive wallpapers, adding dynamic and lively visuals to your home screen at all times.
- Added the ability to set local videos as live wallpapers for the home screen and lock screen, allowing you to bring special moments or interesting clips to life. To set this, simply view a local video, go to More > Set as wallpaper, and configure the settings.
Home Screen:
- Introduced new icon styles with rounded corners and added the option to hide app names, enabling a seamless blend of icons and home screen aesthetics.
- Added a “Large folder” feature for easier app organization on the home screen, providing quick access to your apps and enhancing efficiency.
Widgets:
- Introduced new clock kit styles, including one for a single clock and two for world clocks, offering more variety in clock designs for your home screen.
Ultra Game Mode:
- Added a quick entry to the small window app list for one-tap access to small windows, allowing for smoother multitasking between gaming and social activities.
S-Capture:
- Added a three-finger gesture for area screenshots, improving screenshot efficiency.
- Optimized the screen recording panel to support simultaneous writing while recording and offer quick settings.
- Enhanced the screenshot editing page with more efficient tools for quicker edits.
- Fixed an issue where multi-audio recordings (e.g., in video conferences) could not capture both the user’s voice and the other party’s voice simultaneously.
Smart Sidebar:
- Added a “Screen Translation” feature, giving quick access to Google Lens for translating on-screen content via the Smart Sidebar.
Notes:
- Added more text editing tools, making it easier and more enjoyable to jot down ideas.
- Added the ability to export notes as Word documents, making it easy to share your notes.
Settings:
- Enhanced search functionality with a broader scope and fuzzy search capability, making it easier to find features within Settings.
- Optimized menu categorization and hierarchy, creating clearer and more intuitive layouts for easy navigation.
Multitasking:
- Added gesture support for switching between split-screen and small window modes. Now, you can drag a split-screen to the middle of the screen to switch to a small window, or drag a small window to the edge of an app supporting split-screen to enter split-screen mode.
- Optimized gestures for starting split-screen and small window modes. With Full-screen gesture navigation, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the upper left or right corner for quicker entry into split-screen or small window mode.
Security & Privacy:
- Added “Passkey” for a simpler, more secure authentication method, supporting cross-device sign-ins by scanning a code.
- Enhanced privacy protection during screen sharing, ensuring notification details remain hidden when using third-party apps for screen mirroring or recording.
- Optimized partial screen sharing, allowing users to share only one app during screen mirroring or recording with third-party apps for privacy.
- Improved permission settings for apps downloaded from unofficial channels, limiting critical permissions to reduce the risk of harmful app behavior. To lift restrictions, go to “App Info” and select “Allow restricted settings.”
- Enhanced the fingerprint verification pop-up box to display more information, improving usability.
Accessibility:
- Added “Live Transcribe,” which displays spoken content in text form on the screen.
- Introduced sound notifications to alert users to important sounds in their surroundings.
Dynamic Effects:
- Added four new fingerprint recognition animations, providing a variety of options for personalization and enhancing the smoothness of animations.
Albums:
- Introduced a “Shadow Removal” feature for documents, allowing you to easily remove unwanted shadows and restore the original appearance of documents. To use this, view a photo and go to More > Super Documents > Shadow Removal to configure settings.
- Added a “Memory Film” feature that allows you to browse your memories in film format. The feature pairs music, effects, styles, and more based on the memory theme, making it easy to create personalized memory films.
- Introduced “Cleanup Suggestions” to help clean up unnecessary photos, such as duplicates, similar images, and old screenshots or recordings, keeping your albums organized.
- Optimized the AI tagging system with improved algorithms, enabling the tagging of a variety of image categories, such as people, pets, architecture, sports, art, and technology. It can now accurately identify and categorize photos.
If you own the iQOO Z9s, you may have already received the update. If not, you can wait for it to reach you in a few days or manually check for updates in Settings. The stable Android 15 update should arrive as an OTA soon. Don’t forget to back up your device before installing the update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new features are included in the iQOO Z9s Android 15 update?
The Android 15-based FuntouchOS 15 update brings several exciting new features, including a redesigned UI, lock screen customization, immersive live wallpapers, enhanced multitasking, improved gaming modes, and new privacy and security options. Notable additions also include the Priority Scheduling algorithm for better system smoothness and the ability to set local videos as live wallpapers.
How large is the Android 15 update for the iQOO Z9s?
The Android 15 update for the iQOO Z9s has a download size of approximately 2.35GB, as per user reports. Due to the size of the update, it is recommended to download it over a stable Wi-Fi connection.
When will the Android 15 update be available for my iQOO Z9s?
The update is being rolled out in phases, so it may take a few days to reach all devices. If you haven’t received it yet, you can check for updates manually in the Settings app or wait for the OTA update to arrive on your device.
Can I request early access to the Android 15 update on my iQOO Z9s?
Yes, the update is being rolled out in stages, but you can request the trial version to gain quicker access to the new features. To request early access, check if the option is available in your device’s settings.
What should I do before installing the Android 15 update on my iQOO Z9s?
Before installing the update, it is highly recommended to back up your important data to avoid potential data loss. Ensure that your device has sufficient storage space and is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network for a smooth download and installation process.
conclusion
The Android 15-based FuntouchOS 15 update for the iQOO Z9s brings a wealth of new features and improvements, including a fresh user interface, enhanced multitasking capabilities, and various customization options to improve the overall user experience. With the addition of performance optimizations, advanced privacy features, and exciting new dynamic effects, this update enhances both the functionality and aesthetics of the device. The update is being rolled out in stages, and users can expect it to reach their devices soon. Be sure to back up your data and download the update over a stable Wi-Fi connection for the best experience.
