IQOO has recently launched the IQOO 12, which comes with the company’s Funtouch OS based on Android 14. The device is the best performance-centric device of the year 2023. It features a 6.7″ 120Hz OLED display and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, making it one of the fastest Android smartphones currently available.
In terms of the camera, it has a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP rear camera and a 50MP rear selfie shooter. The device also has a 4500mAh battery. No other phone can beat this device in its price segment. Funtouch OS is often criticised, but for us, it is actually decent with tonnes of features.
Funtouch Software OS 14 Improvements
Some Android OEMs, like Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, and others, have extended software support beyond 3 years. IQOO, on the other hand, still offers 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security patches. The IQOO 12 comes with Android 14 out of the box, which means the device is guaranteed to update up to Android 17.
The all-new smooth and clean experience with the #FuntouchOS14 on #iQOO12. Hit RT to share the excitement! pic.twitter.com/5ns60DBmvT
— Nipun Marya (@nipunmarya) November 24, 2023
With the release of an Android 14-based custom skin, Funtouch OS 14 brings minor software refinements, optimisations, and some new customisation features like Kinetic Wallpaper, Lockscreen, and AOD style. For years, Funtouch OS has had a lot of issues due to bloatware and ads. Not only that, it has the HOT apps and Hot Games tab. Some of the notable changes that come with Funtouch OS 14 are:
- Lock screen customization
- Less bloatware/ads
- Apps launch in a mini-window
- Split-screen UI
- Kinetic wallpaper
- Better app-opening
The custom UI looks way more polished, and the bloatware on the device is not the only issue; so are the ads across Funtouch OS 14.
Ads are still present in Funtouch OS 14.
Funtouch OS 14 on IQOO 12 has removed the hot apps and hot games, but there are still ads throughout the OS. Hopefully, IQOO will take the feedback into account and continue to further refine the Funtouch OS shortly.
- Notification Ads: You will see notification ads from pre-installed apps like the V-AppStore.
- When you install or uninstall any app, you will be redirected to iManager Scan, which will show ad recommendations.
- The app’s browser also has app suggestions and sends notifications.
Users can disable the app permission and service recommendations in the settings, but it’s enabled by default. Not every user knows this and mostly proceeds with the default settings.
Verdict
It was common feedback from users to improve Funtouch OS 14. Also, if you disable ads during the initial setup, you will see fewer ads. It is clear that IQOO 12 offers a wide range of high-end features at a competitive price, but there is still room for improvement in the software.
The removal of hot apps and games is a welcome feature. IQoo 12 offers a myriad of high-end features at a relatively low price, but the software still leaves room for improvement. The removal of hot apps and hot games is indeed a welcome change. However, the presence of ads even after initial setup can detract from the user’s experience. We can expect the device to be further refined, but not limited to flagship devices only.
