StepFun is pursuing two strategic tracks internally, according to a Huxiu Tech report cited by ChainCatcher: one centered on large language models and another focused on agent-driven devices. Its smartphone business has been moved into a standalone company called Zhiyue Xingchen, with a team that has Huawei and Honor backgrounds taking the lead. Ni Jiayue, the company’s terminal president, is overseeing the effort.
The report said StepFun’s first agent smartphone, STEPX Neo, was shown during WAIC, though the company did not disclose pricing or a mass-production timeline. Huxiu also reported that StepFun is assembling an overseas commercialization team and plans to sell large-model APIs abroad, mainly voice models. The smartphone line is also part of that overseas sales plan.
Chairman Yin Qi had previously explored an “AI + car” route at Qianli Technology, formerly Lifan Technology. This time, the company is treating smartphones as the first piece of its terminal strategy, aiming to build a closed loop spanning models, operating systems, and devices. The phone runs the Step AOS agent operating system, and the report said the business model ultimately returns to Token consumption. StepFun also continues model partnerships with 60% of China’s leading smartphone brands, covering an installed base of more than 42 million devices. As of publication, the company had not commented.
StepFun is moving ahead on two internal strategic lines, according to a Huxiu Tech report cited by ChainCatcher. One remains centered on large models, while the other is built around agent-based devices.
Smartphone business placed under a standalone company
Huxiu said StepFun has placed its smartphone business under a separate company, Zhiyue Xingchen. The operation is being led by a team with Huawei and Honor backgrounds, with terminal president Ni Jiayue in charge.
The company’s first agent smartphone, STEPX Neo, was unveiled during WAIC. No price or mass-production schedule was disclosed.
Overseas commercialization team is being assembled
According to the report, StepFun is building an overseas commercialization team and plans to sell large-model APIs to overseas customers, mainly voice models. Its smartphone business is also included in that overseas sales plan.
Phone seen as the first piece of a broader device strategy
Huxiu said chairman Yin Qi had previously tried an “AI + car” path at Qianli Technology, formerly Lifan Technology. This time, StepFun is using smartphones as the first piece of its terminal strategy, with the goal of building a closed-loop system that links models, operating systems, and devices.
The phone runs the Step AOS agent operating system and is positioned as a carrier for agent services. The report said the business model ultimately comes back to Token consumption.
Existing phone-brand partnerships remain in place
At the same time, StepFun continues model partnerships with 60% of China’s leading smartphone brands, with an installed base of more than 42 million devices. How those partnerships may interact with the company’s own smartphone business remains unclear, the report said.
As of publication, StepFun had not commented.
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