Pocket-size AI: Powerful phones star at China show

Tech companies are racing to release advanced smartphones powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that can perform tasks like ordering food or composing messages with a simple voice command. The widespread adoption of these "AI agent" phones could revolutionize the industry, but it also means ceding control from major apps, which are reportedly unhappy about the shift.

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A new era of AI agent smartphones begins.

Several firms displayed these agentic phones at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. Smartphone maker Nubia unveiled its NaviX Ultra, which uses Doubao, a popular AI chatbot tool from TikTok creator ByteDance. Nubia announced, "A new era of AI agent smartphones begins." A limited release of a prototype, the "Doubao Phone," sold out quickly in December. However, major tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and JD.com soon restricted the AI agent's access to their platforms, effectively disabling it. ByteDance then turned off the powerful tool in certain situations, particularly when payments were involved.

Kiranjeet Kaur, associate research director at IDC, noted that gaining broad access to other companies' apps is a major hurdle for AI agent devices. "Platforms want to keep direct contact with their users, otherwise 'they lose control to another party,'" she explained. Kaur added, "Agenting is everyone’s dream, but we haven’t reached there yet," citing the often inconsistent performance of AI agent tools.

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they lose control to another party

The NaviX Ultra reportedly avoids forcing its way into apps, aiming instead to collaborate with them. The first-generation Doubao phone struggled when major apps blocked unauthorized access. Honor also showcased an AI system for its "Robot Phone," featuring an interactive camera on a robotic arm. This "companion-centric" device can interpret gestures, move to music, and take selfies. An AI agent, partly developed with Alibaba, will be embedded in the robot phone when it goes on sale later in 2026, Honor told AFP.

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Agenting is everyone’s dream, but we haven’t reached there yet

Shanghai-based AI startup StepFun unveiled its "AI agent-native smartphone," the STEPX Neo, before the WAIC. StepFun's chairman, Yin Qi, stated that "deep partnerships" have been formed with major Chinese platforms like Alipay and ride-hailing services.

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deep partnerships