ByteDance’s Doubao Phone: New Generation Adjusts App Operations, Plus Membership Perks and Honor Collaboration Talks

ByteDance has adjusted the functionality of its upcoming Doubao Phone, with the new generation no longer supporting direct operation of top-tier apps, according to recent industry news. This move likely addresses potential concerns from app developers and regulatory bodies.

In another key update, the Doubao Phone will provide users with a monthly automatic membership credit of 68 yuan (approximately $9.5), valid across all platforms. Announced on June 29, 2026, this perk aims to boost user engagement and deliver added value.

Collaboration talks between Honor and ByteDance regarding the Doubao Phone have been reignited. After initial caution, the two companies restarted deep negotiations in April 2026, as reported in TechWeb’s evening briefing. This partnership could combine Honor’s hardware expertise with ByteDance’s AI capabilities to strengthen the device’s market standing.

Looking back, the first batch of Doubao Phone units sold out quickly in December 2025, though earlier industry rumors about stock quantities were inaccurate. However, the phone’s price dropped by 25% within three days around the same time, partially due to mainstream software providers restricting AI features.

Privacy and security have been key focus areas. The Doubao Phone Assistant denied security vulnerabilities in February 2026, stating no detailed reports of such issues had been received. Earlier, in January 2026, it clarified that user content is not stored or used for training, and all data transfers are encrypted to protect privacy.

Contrary to rumors, the Doubao Phone was not summoned by regulatory authorities, as confirmed by insiders in December 2025. Additionally, its AI operation capabilities were adjusted in December 2025 to restrict access to financial and game-related apps, aligning with industry regulations and user safety needs.

Sources

• "ByteDance Compromises: New Generation Doubao Phone No Longer Directly Operates Top Apps" - Industry News (20 minutes ago)
• "Doubao Phone Automatically Grants 68 Yuan Monthly Membership Credit, Universal Across All Platforms" - Internet News (June 29, 2026)
• "TechWeb Evening Briefing: Latest Apple iPhone Ultra Rumors, Honor and ByteDance Restart Doubao Phone Negotiations" - Industry News (April 13, 2026)
• "From Cautious Rejection to Accelerated Breakthrough: Honor and ByteDance Restart Deep Negotiations on Doubao Phone" - Industry News (April 13, 2026)
• "Doubao Phone Assistant Denies Security Vulnerabilities: No Detailed Reports Received" - Industry News (February 27, 2026)
• "Doubao Phone Assistant Responds to Security and Privacy Concerns: No Content Storage or Training, Encrypted Data Transfer" - Industry News (January 27, 2026)
• "Doubao Phone: Rebuilding the AI Era Entrance" - Opinion (December 22, 2025)
• "Doubao Phone Price Drops 25% in Three Days, Mainstream Software Restricts AI Features" - Industry News (December 17, 2025)
• "Doubao Phone: First Batch Sold Out, Earlier Stock Quantity Rumors Inaccurate" - Industry News (December 17, 2025)
• "Doubao Phone Summoned by Regulators? Insider Denies" - Industry News (December 15, 2025)
• "Doubao Phone is Here, Is AI Agent Far Behind?" - Industry News (December 12, 2025)
• "Douyin Vice President Li Liang: AI Phone Assistant is Essentially Owner-Authorized, Unrelated to Intrusion, Hacking, or Privacy" - Industry News (December 9, 2025)
• "Doubao Phone Assistant Adjusts AI Operation Capabilities: Restricts Financial and Game App Scenarios" - Industry News (December 5, 2025)
• "Doubao Assistant Engineering Prototype Has WeChat Login Issues? WeChat Responds: No Special Actions" - Industry News (December 3, 2025)
• "Doubao Phone Assistant Releases Technical Preview, Engineering Samples Sold in Small Quantities" - Industry News (December 1, 2025)
• "Is Doubao Phone Coming? ByteDance Reportedly Developing AI Phone, Official Response" - Industry News (August 20, 2025)