Meizu shuts down Android mobile phone business, focuses on AI

Chinese Android smartphone maker Meizu has officially shut down its smartphone business to focus on AI. Meizu 21, released in November 2023, was the last mobile phone released by the company.

Meizu CEO Ziyu Shen said changes in the smartphone market were the main reason for this decision. On average, users change phones every 51 months, or just over four years, Shen said.

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Shen pointed out that competitors are now offering smartphones with comparable operability, software, and shooting experience, making it more difficult to compete. He said Meizu provides terminal AI devices and provides both hardware and software solutions based on technology.

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The company also plans to modify its Flyme OS for smartphones for AI devices and develop a new mobile OS that can focus on AI and integrate AI into smartphones. Shen hinted that Meizu may try different form factors inspired by Humane’s AI Pin, Rabbit R1, etc.

Meizu’s current smartphones will continue to be supported in China, and the company’s offline retail stores will remain unaffected. The company has not said whether it will expand support to international markets.