Key Highlights
- Nubia has confirmed it will launch a new AI-powered smartphone at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026.
- The company describes it as the world’s first mass-produced AI-powered smartphone.
- The upcoming device is expected to succeed the AI-native Nubia M153 with deeper AI integration.
- WAIC 2026 will take place in Shanghai from July 17 to July 20.
Nubia has confirmed that it will unveil a new AI-powered smartphone at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 later this month. The company claims the upcoming device will be the world’s first mass-produced AI-powered smartphone, signaling its continued focus on AI-native mobile experiences. While the official name remains under wraps, reports suggest the handset could succeed the Nubia M153, which debuted earlier this year with agentic AI capabilities.
The announcement comes as smartphone brands increasingly compete to integrate artificial intelligence deeper into everyday mobile experiences.
What did Nubia announce?
Nubia President Ni Fei confirmed the upcoming launch through a post on Weibo. According to the executive, the company will introduce its next-generation AI smartphone during WAIC 2026, one of China’s largest artificial intelligence events.
The conference will be held in Shanghai between July 17 and July 20, where several AI-focused technology announcements are expected. Although Nubia has not revealed the device’s official name, the company has positioned it as a major milestone in AI-powered smartphones.
Could this be the successor to the Nubia M153?
Industry speculation points toward a successor to the Nubia M153.
According to Chinese tipster Whylab, the upcoming handset builds upon the M153 while addressing several issues reported in the earlier model.
The report also claims Nubia has reached agreements with multiple online platforms to enable deeper system-level AI integration, allowing AI features to interact more seamlessly across applications.
If accurate, the new smartphone could offer a more refined AI experience than its predecessor.
What made the Nubia M153 different?
The Nubia M153 was introduced in China in December 2025 before making its global debut at MWC 2026.
Nubia marketed the handset as an “AI-native” smartphone because AI functions were integrated into the operating system rather than added as standalone tools.
The device featured Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of onboard storage. One of its standout features was the Doubao AI assistant, which uses agentic AI to complete tasks across multiple apps without requiring constant user input.
The phone also introduced iMoochi, Nubia’s AI-powered digital companion designed to deliver more natural and interactive conversations.
What can users expect from the new AI phone?
While Nubia has not shared hardware specifications, expectations are centered around stronger AI capabilities rather than just faster performance. The next-generation device is expected to expand system-level AI integration, allowing the assistant to automate more workflows across apps.
Features such as intelligent task execution, contextual assistance, and personalized AI interactions could remain central to the experience. The company may also introduce improvements to Doubao AI and iMoochi as part of its broader AI strategy.
Why does this launch matter?
AI has become one of the biggest battlegrounds in the smartphone industry. Manufacturers are moving beyond basic AI-powered photo editing and voice assistants toward agentic AI systems capable of completing complex actions on behalf of users.
Nubia’s announcement reflects that shift. Instead of simply adding AI features, the company is positioning AI as the foundation of the smartphone experience.
Whether the upcoming device lives up to the company’s “AI-powered smartphone” claim will become clearer when it is officially unveiled at WAIC 2026.
As Nubia prepares for the launch, the event could offer a glimpse into how AI-native smartphones may evolve over the coming years.
