Next-Generation Doubao Phone Release Delayed Due to Approval Process, Core Supply Chain Exposed

According to Beating Monitoring, the Doubao AI phone jointly developed by ZTE and ByteDance has been delayed in its release due to obstacles in the compliance approval process. Insiders revealed that the phone initiated its registration certification process in January 2026, but the first round of applications was not approved, and it remains in the registration phase. The new device must simultaneously pass the large model registration with the Cyberspace Administration and the mobile network access certification from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. If subsequent approvals go smoothly, it could be launched as early as July to August 2026, whereas the market previously expected a release in the second quarter of this year. Along with the release delay, details of the new phone's core supply chain have also been revealed. The screen supplier has changed from Shentianma to BOE. The battery will be provided by Desay Battery, utilizing ATL cells, with Desay being a core supplier for Apple and Samsung's battery management systems. The overall assembly will be handled by Zhongnuo Communications, a subsidiary of A-share listed company Furi Electronics, which is also a long-term manufacturer for ZTE and Nubia. Due to platforms like Tencent and Alibaba not yet opening permissions, the next-generation Doubao phone currently cannot access data across applications. The data barriers from major platforms have also led the AI phone to pursue different technological routes. Chasing and OpenAI have chosen a 'no App' approach, directly building a native AI operating system without apps. In contrast, the Doubao phone opts for an improved solution that retains traditional apps, embedding large models deeply into the system's core, but this results in the operational experience being heavily constrained by whether external platforms open their data.