AI Phone Ecosystem Game: StepFun Launches Native Terminal, Doubao Shifts to MCP Collaboration

In July 2025, the AI phone sector saw key developments. StepFun unveiled the world's first large-model-native AI terminal STEPX Neo and the agent operating system Step AOS at WAIC, focusing on "result interaction" and system-level agents. ByteDance's Doubao phone adjusted its strategy, abandoning GUI simulation clicks in favor of MCP service interface collaboration, and increased its stocking from 30,000 to hundreds of thousands of units. The two paths highlight core contradictions in the AI phone industry: the disconnect between model capabilities and user experience, and the power struggles among app vendors, OS providers, and phone manufacturers.

StepFun: From Model to Terminal — A "Model-Software-Hardware" Closed Loop

On July 13, StepFun released the STEPX brand, Step AOS, and the personal agent Amoo at WAIC. The STEPX Neo received the highest L3 certification under the national standard "AI Terminal Intelligence Grading" and was selected as one of WAIC's top ten "Treasures of the Hall."

• Interaction Paradigm Shift: From "process interaction" to "result interaction." Users simply state their intent (e.g., "Find a charging station and get a drink"), and the agent directly calls MCP services from ecosystem partners like Alipay, rather than simulating clicks.
• System-Level Resource Reorganization: Step AOS uniformly schedules CPU/GPU/NPU computing power with cloud-device synergy; a semantic data layer converts perception information into understandable context; an atomic capability engine decomposes app functions into composable units.
• Memory and Decision-Making: A dual-domain, three-step memory structure (user domain + agent domain) leads in benchmarks like PersonaMem. The on-device model Step Edge supports sub-100ms tool invocation, with over 99% success on simple tasks.

StepFun emphasizes "building a house for the agent" rather than opening a door on an old system. Its ecosystem partners include Ctrip, Alipay, Didi, and Meituan.

Doubao Phone: From GUI Simulation to MCP Service Calls

According to exclusive reports from LatePost, the new-generation Doubao phone has adjusted its collaboration approach: instead of reading screens and simulating clicks (GUI technology), it requires app vendors to provide MCP services themselves, opening data and control interfaces. Stocking has increased from 30,000 to hundreds of thousands of units, signaling accelerated commercialization.

• Background: After the December 2025 technical preview of the Doubao phone assistant, apps like WeChat, Taobao, and Alipay blocked its AI features due to risk control and entry sovereignty concerns. Doubao subsequently removed related scenarios.
• New Strategy: Negotiating with Alibaba, Tencent, and others for open interfaces. On July 15, the Doubao phone assistant software received generative AI service filing, leaving room for expanded vendor collaboration.
• Industry Comparison: In Honor's collaboration with WeChat, the phone assistant only relays commands while WeChat performs actions; Apple abandoned screen reading at WWDC in favor of App Intents; Google Pixel supports screen reading control for a few apps.

Industry Game: Power Relations Beyond Technology

The core challenge for AI phones is not technology but power distribution among stakeholders:

• App Vendors: Worried that AI bypassing interfaces could impact risk control and entry sovereignty, they are building their own agents (e.g., Alibaba's Qwen integrating into its ecosystem, WeChat grayscale-testing "Xiao Wei").
• Phone Manufacturers: OPPO, vivo, Honor, etc., are upgrading system-level agents but are more cautious in controlling super-app collaborations.
• Model Companies: StepFun chose to build its own system and terminal, while Doubao shifted to collaboration. Both paths require balancing ecosystem control and openness.

Currently, AI phones are still in early exploration. StepFun's "native" path pursues deep integration but requires convincing users to adopt a new system; Doubao's "collaboration" path relies on app openness but may be constrained by big-player dynamics. Ultimately, whoever can define the rules of the AI phone game will depend on ecosystem-building capabilities and actual user experience.