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Step Star's First AI Phone: Beating OpenAI to the Punch

Step Star, a domestic general-purpose large model unicorn, has officially announced its entry into the hardware space with a new generation of intelligent agent terminals. According to domestic media reports, the company is launching an AI terminal brand, an intelligent agent system, and its first AI smartphone. This makes Step Star the first global large model company to deliver a native intelligent agent phone, beating OpenAI to the market.

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Insiders reveal that the AI phone is manufactured by Huaqin Technology, a listed company on the A-share market. The two companies have a deep, binding cooperative relationship, not just a simple OEM deal. Huaqin is a global leader in smart hardware ODM, with shipments of smartphones, laptops, and tablets exceeding 10% of the global market. They had already made a strategic investment during Step Star's B+ round and continued to increase their stake in the subsequent C round. Together with companies like Wowwa and ZTE, they have jointly built an integrated supply chain covering large models, complete machine manufacturing, imaging, and communication.

Step Star was founded in Shanghai in 2023 and is part of the "Shanghai AI Six Little Tigers" group. It was founded by Jiang Daxin, former vice president of Microsoft Global, with Yin Qi serving as chairman. The team brings together top AI research talents from Microsoft and ByteDance. The company has raised over 20 billion yuan in total, with consumer electronics industry chain enterprises such as ZTE, Huaqin, Tencent, and Longqi participating in investments. It has completed share reform and is now pursuing a Hong Kong IPO. Its core strategy differs from pure cloud-based model vendors, focusing on the full-chain implementation of large models and terminal hardware. This differentiated positioning is the strategic foundation for its cross-industry move into phone manufacturing.

Key Points

  • Step Star launches first AI smartphone, beating OpenAI to market.
  • Phone manufactured by Huaqin Technology, a global ODM leader.
  • Company has raised over 20 billion yuan, targeting Hong Kong IPO.
  • Strategy focuses on full-chain large model and terminal hardware integration.