StepFun launches STEPX Neo AI-integrated smartphone

Chinese AI startup StepFun has launched the STEPX Neo, a smartphone designed around an integrated AI agent rather than traditional applications. Priced at 3,999 yuan (approximately $560), the device features the Step AOS 1.0 operating system, which combines elements of Android, Linux, and real-time operating systems.

The phone’s core feature is the Amoo AI agent, which is embedded directly into the operating system's core. Unlike standard assistants that function as separate apps, Amoo can interpret instructions to execute multiple chained actions across different functions. The device utilizes a hybrid processing approach, where simple commands are handled by a small local model for speed and privacy, while complex tasks are processed via a large cloud-based model.

Hardware-wise, the STEPX Neo includes a secondary MiniLED screen on the back to visually display the AI agent's activities. StepFun, which is supported by Tencent, has established partnerships with nearly 100 companies, including Alipay, Meituan, and Didi, to integrate the Amoo agent into a broader ecosystem. The company is also developing the Step 5 Preview large language model, which features 600 billion parameters.