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晚点独家丨“豆包手机” 酝酿中,字节为大模型寻硬件载体
晚点LatePost·2025-08-19 11:16

Core Viewpoint - ByteDance is exploring the integration of AI capabilities, super apps, and hardware terminals through its upcoming AI phone, "Doubao," which is set to be produced by ZTE and primarily tested internally before any external sales [3][4][6]. Group 1: AI Phone Development - ByteDance is developing an AI phone named "Doubao," with ZTE as the ODM manufacturer, expected to launch by the end of this year or early next year [4]. - The Ocean team, responsible for AI hardware at ByteDance, is exploring various AI devices, including the recently launched Ola Friend smart headphones and upcoming AI glasses [4][6]. - The decision to self-develop the Doubao phone came after difficulties in partnering with existing phone manufacturers, who preferred to maintain control over AI model integration [6][7]. Group 2: Strategic Goals and Historical Context - ByteDance's CEO outlined three major AI goals for 2025: exploring intelligent limits, new UI interaction forms, and enhancing scale effects, with hardware like phones being a key focus [7]. - Previous hardware attempts by ByteDance, such as the Dali smart lamp and the acquisition of VR brand PICO, faced challenges, leading to significant resource allocation shifts [7][8]. - The integration of AI capabilities into hardware is seen as crucial for the deployment of large models, particularly in the smartphone sector [8]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - ByteDance's move into the smartphone market aims to achieve a "trinity" of AI capabilities, super apps, and hardware, similar to Google's ecosystem with its Gemini models and Pixel phones [8]. - The upcoming Google Pixel 10 series is expected to feature several AI enhancements, highlighting the competitive nature of AI integration in smartphones [8].