StepFun, a Chinese AI model developer, displayed its debut STEPX Neo smartphone at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 20, 2026, and on Tuesday officially launched its first AI agent smartphone — the early-access STEPX Neo — priced at 3,999 yuan ($597).
STEPX Neo and StepFun’s strategy
The release of the early-access edition marks an attempt by the software-focused startup to bypass traditional tech gatekeepers by building its own operating system. The move highlights an emerging industry battle to define how consumers interact with AI on their personal devices.
