China’s StepFun claims it has unveiled the world’s first AI smartphone

Tencent-backed Chinese startup StepFun launched the StepX Neo, claiming it as the world's first AI-native smartphone with an operating system designed for AI agents. The device features a personal AI assistant named Amoo and integrates with major Chinese services like Alipay and Meituan, challenging US tech giants amid Apple's legal dispute with OpenAI.

Advertisement China’s StepFun claims it has unveiled the world’s first AI smartphone Tencent-backed firm launches the AI-native StepX Neo smartphone, challenging US tech giants amid Apple-OpenAI legal clashes 2-MIN READ2-MIN Minxiao Chang /author/minxiao-chang in Shenzhen As Apple’s latest legal battle with OpenAI complicates the Silicon Valley race to reshape the consumer tech market, one Chinese start-up is taking a leap forward after unveiling what it claims to be the world’s first agentic smartphone https://sc.mp/h6rqn?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3359733&utm medium=share widget .At a launch event in Shanghai on Monday, Tencent Holdings https://www.scmp.com/topics/tencent?module=inline&pgtype=article -backed StepFun https://www.scmp.com/?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3342222&utm medium=share widget?module=inline&pgtype=article introduced the StepX Neo. The device runs on Step AOS, an operating system designed specifically for artificial intelligence agents, and was launched under StepX – which the firm billed as the world’s first AI terminal brand built natively around large language models.Unlike traditional smartphones that required users to manually open individual apps, the device was built around AI agents, according to StepFun. The device could interpret user requests, coordinate across multiple services, and execute complex tasks autonomously, the company added. The smartphone features Amoo, a new personal AI assistant native to Step AOS. StepFun also announced integrations with major Chinese digital services including Alipay https://sc.mp/47ibc?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3357307&utm medium=share widget for payments, Trip.com https://sc.mp/h890z?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3358354&utm medium=share widget for travel bookings, Didi Chuxing https://sc.mp/bc8wk?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3357919&utm medium=share widget for ride-hailing and Meituan https://sc.mp/wqxwd?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3358854&utm medium=share widget for on-demand services, which would allow Amoo to seamlessly complete tasks across different platforms without user intervention.The launch highlights a growing global push by AI firms to control the entire product stack, spanning foundation models, operating systems and hardware. The race to dominate AI hardware has already sparked friction among the US tech giants. In a lawsuit filed last week https://sc.mp/deg7q?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3360196&utm medium=share widget , Apple accused OpenAI https://sc.mp/78ilp?utm source=copy-link&utm campaign=3360118&utm medium=share widget of recruiting its former employees and prospective candidates to steal trade secrets regarding unreleased Apple products.Advertisement Select Voice Select Speed 1.00x