Meizu shuts down Android phone business, to go all in on AI

The company hasn't said whether they will extend support for the international market. (Image: Meizu)

Meizu, the Chinese Android smartphone manufacturer, has officially shut down its smartphone business to focus on AI. The Meizu 21 launched in November 2023 was be the last phone the company released.

Meizu CEO Ziyu Shen stated that changes in the smartphone market were the main reason behind the decision. Shen said that on average users switch phones in 51 months or a little over four years.

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Shen pointed out that the competition now offers smartphones with comparable operability, software, and photography experience, making it tougher to compete against them. He said Meizu will offer terminal AI devices and offer both hardware and software solutions based around the technology.

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The company will also modify its Flyme OS for smartphones for AI devices and develop a new mobile OS that will focus on AI and allow smartphones to integrate them. Shen hinted that Meizu might try its hand on different form factors inspired by the likes of Humane's AI Pin and the Rabbit R1.

Meizu's current smartphones will continue to be supported in China and the company's offline retail stores will continue to remain unaffected. The company hasn't said whether they will extend support for the international market.