Chinese startup StepFun, backed by Tencent, has introduced the STEPX Neo smartphone. The device features the Step AOS 1.0 operating system, which integrates an AI agent named Amoo directly into the base layer rather than functioning as a standalone application.
The operating system combines components from Android, Linux, and real-time systems. It utilizes the Model Context Protocol to break down phone functions into blocks that the AI agent can execute. Users can interact with the device through a traditional app grid or a dedicated agent interface.
The Amoo agent manages tasks using two memory types: one for user preferences and another for task execution history. Simple commands are processed locally on the device, while complex requests are handled by cloud-based models. The phone also includes a rear MiniLED screen to display agent status.
Pre-orders for the device are priced at ¥3 999, which includes a 12-month subscription to the STEPX Token Plan providing 100 billion tokens monthly. The first sales event is scheduled for October 16. StepFun has not disclosed pricing details for the service after the first year.
Nearly 100 companies, including Alipay, Tencent, Didi, and Meituan, have integrated with the Amoo agent. StepFun was founded in 2023 by former Microsoft vice president Jiang Daxin and develops its own large language models, including the 600-billion-parameter Step 5 Preview.
