The first smartphone equipped with Doubao Mobile Assistant (Technical Preview) has sold out immediately. The Nubia M153, priced at 3499 yuan (≈ $490 USD), is already reselling on Xianyu for 4200–4999 yuan (≈ $590–700 USD) — a 20–45% markup, especially rare for an engineering prototype.

This reaction highlights rising demand for AI-native smartphones, where the assistant is not an app but a system-level cognitive engine.

🔍 Why Tech Enthusiasts Are Excited: A True System-Level AI Agent

Instead of functioning as a widget or plugin, Doubao is integrated into the system UI stack, making it capable of autonomous actions across apps, screens, and workflows.

ByteDance contributed the AI agent architecture, multimodal stack, and UX, while ZTE/Nubia provided deep OS integration points and hardware.

Key Capabilities Shown in the Demo:

• Cross-app intent recognition

Doubao can read screenshots, interpret product listings, compare prices across apps, navigate automatically, and bring users directly to the payment interface — all hands-free.

• Autonomous multi-step task execution

When the phone is locked, Doubao still performs:

• app launches

• web updates

• playlist organization

• background checks

• multi-task sequences

The assistant behaves more like a digital operator than a voice bot.

• Full multimodal understanding (UI + text + camera)

It can interpret UI elements, images, and real-world objects, enabling advanced tasks like:

• smart screenshot comprehension

• photo cleanup (removing people/objects)

• contextual commands based on current screen content

This is agentic behavior, not pre-set scripting.

The official M153 demonstration shows Doubao functioning as a system-level AI layer:

• It reads on-screen text and UI layouts.

• Executes cross-application workflows such as multi-app price comparisons and auto-navigation to checkout.

• Performs parallel tasks even when the phone is locked.

• Controls system-level features (calls, video calls, browsing, app management).

• Uses multimodal capabilities for photo editing and object removal.

• Demonstrates the limitations of an engineering prototype, with imaging performance still behind final commercial flagships.

Overall, the video showcases a functional preview of what an AI-native operating environment can look like.

🛒 Not Fully Out of Stock: F-Code Reservations Remain Open

Despite the “Sold Out” tag:

• Developers can still apply for an F-code

• Approved users can purchase the phone

• Device is a technical preview model but fully usable as a primary phone

However, Nubia warns that the camera/image pipeline is not yet flagship-grade due to unfinished optimization.

⚙️ Hardware Built for AI Integration

While not a traditional flagship-focused device, the M153 includes:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite

• 16GB RAM + 512GB storage

• 6.78″ LTPO panel

• Deep system hooks for Doubao to interact with UI and OS components

AI capability — not raw hardware — is the core focus.

📵 Doubao Confirms: No Plans for Self-Branded Phones Yet

ByteDance clarified that it does not intend to launch Doubao-branded hardware soon.
Instead, it is working on ecosystem cooperation with multiple smartphone manufacturers to integrate Doubao into future models across brands.

Expect more announcements in 2025 as OEMs evaluate Doubao-native AI designs.

🧠 What This Means for the Future of Smartphones

The Nubia M153 is more than a device — it’s a concept phone showcasing:

• AI-driven multi-app automation

• Deep OS-level agent integration

• UI understanding and autonomous navigation

• A shift from user-driven taps to AI-driven workflows

This may be the first commercially accessible model where the AI assistant is the interface, not just a tool.

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