Chinese AI company StepFun has unveiled its new StepX Neo
smartphone, which the company describes as the world's first mass-market
"Agentic Smartphone." The phone features an inbuilt AI agent named
"Step Amoo," capable of automatically completing multiple tasks based
on a single command. According to the company, users will not need to open
multiple apps or issue repeated commands. The StepX Neo runs on the company's
custom Step AOS operating system, which supports offline AI, live translation,
and a host of other AI-driven features.
StepFun has not yet announced the price or sales date for
the StepX Neo. The company has only stated that it is its first
"agent-native" smartphone designed for general consumers. It remains
unclear whether the device will be made available in markets outside China.
According to a report by WallStreet China, the standout
feature of the StepX Neo is its Step Amoo AI agent, which is integrated
directly into the operating system. The company claims that unlike standard
chatbots that merely answer questions, this agent can coordinate across
multiple apps and system tools to execute complex tasks from a single command.
For instance, if a user asks to plan a trip, the AI agent can simultaneously
manage flight bookings, hotel reservations, and other essential details. The
company also claims that the agent learns user preferences over time and begins
offering personalized suggestions accordingly.
The smartphone runs on a custom operating system called Step
AOS. According to the company, this OS was created by combining elements of
Android, Linux, and RTOS. Its AI engine can simultaneously interact with the
phone's communication functions, apps, files, and system tools. Additionally,
it features an NUI (Natural User Interface)—a voice and vision input
system—allowing users to perform various tasks simply by speaking or using the
camera. StepFun states that the StepX Neo's AI agent can perform various tasks
even without an internet connection. The phone supports live translation across
32 languages and numerous regional dialects. According to the company, it can
provide real-time translation for face-to-face conversations, phone calls, text
messages, and printed text such as street signs, restaurant menus, and museum
posters. Additionally, the device offers features like accessing saved travel
plans, viewing local transit information, and handling other travel-related
tasks while offline.
The company has also incorporated distinct systems within
the StepX Neo for memory, decision-making, and security. StepFun notes that the
phone's AI manages user data and AI agent data separately, while different AI
models are employed for simple versus complex requests. Regarding security,
permissions are granted only when necessary and can be revoked once a task is
completed. The device also utilizes the company's proprietary "Step
Edge" on-device AI model, which has been specifically designed for
smartphone hardware.
To connect the AI agent with various services, the company
has announced integrations with platforms such as Ctrip, Alipay, Didi, Meituan,
WPS, and CapCut. StepFun states that this will enable users to perform
tasks—including travel planning, payments, ride booking, office work, and
content creation—directly through the AI agent. However, the actual
performance of these features will only become clear once the device hits the
market.
