In the rapidly evolving landscape of the mobile phone industry, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a transformative shiftDeepSeek, a leading contender in the Chinese AI large-model sector, is becoming the focal point of collaboration among various smartphone manufacturersThis trend was notably highlighted on February 10, when Nubia made headlines by announcing its integration of DeepSeek into its devicesPrior to this, major tech players such as Huawei, Honor, Meizu, and OPPO had already begun to incorporate this advanced AI technology into their systems.

The excitement surrounding DeepSeek is palpable among manufacturers eager to leverage its capabilities in an intensely competitive marketHowever, as the integration process unfolds, it has come to the attention of industry observers that many older smartphone models are being excluded from the compatibility roster, leaving their users unable to benefit from the enhancements brought by this technological leap.

In the current landscape, various smartphone manufacturers are employing distinct strategies and approaches for integrating DeepSeekThe two primary methods observed are direct integration and deep embeddingFor instance, brands like Huawei, Honor, OPPO, and Meizu have opted for direct integration of the DeepSeek-R1 into their devicesA prime example is the users of HarmonyOS NEXT, who can simply upgrade their AI app, "Xiao Yi," to engage with DeepSeek through designated pathways.

Nubia, on the other hand, is taking an alternative route by opting for deeper integration of DeepSeek within its operating systemReports suggest that the built-in DeepSeek can be accessed through the Nebula Smart dialog box interface, allowing users to utilize its functionalities seamlessly without switching to a separate dialogue interfaceThis innovative approach illustrates Nubia's dedication to creating a cohesive user experience by blending AI capabilities directly into the system.

However, not all manufacturers are following the trend towards DeepSeek integration

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For example, Xiaomi and Transsion have yet to announce any plans for incorporating this technology into their devicesIn fact, upon inquiry about Transsion's intentions, a representative mentioned that they are taking a cautious approach and have not yet committed to DeepSeek, stating that any updates will be disclosed publicly in due course.

Similarly, Xiaomi's customer service indicated that no information is currently available regarding whether they will integrate DeepSeekThey mentioned their ongoing focus on rolling out their own software, namely the Pengpai OS 2.0 and the Super Xiaoi AI assistant, suggesting that integration with DeepSeek may only be considered after this version rollout is completeThis indicates that manufacturers may prioritize their proprietary technologies over external collaborations.

The question arises: why are many manufacturers choosing to integrate with DeepSeek in the first place? One reason could be the desire to avoid ecosystem lock-inFor instance, Google’s AI services are deeply intertwined with the Android ecosystem, which could lead manufacturers to become increasingly dependent on GoogleMicrosoft’s AI primarily serves its own software and cloud computing needs, leaving little room for customization tailored to individual smartphone manufacturers.

In contrast, DeepSeek offers an attractive alternative as a homegrown AI solution, especially concerning licensing costs and data sovereigntyAccording to insights from supply chain experts, the licensing fees for DeepSeek are comparatively lower, which allows manufacturers to lower the costs associated with technology integrationMoreover, DeepSeek's focus on local data storage aligns well with the requirements of domestic manufacturers, ensuring enhanced user data security and privacyDuring negotiation processes, DeepSeek has also extended greater customization rights, enabling manufacturers to tailor AI features to better align with their specific product attributes, thereby enhancing their competitive edge.

In fact, within the fiercely contested smartphone market, the trend towards end-device AI adoption is rapidly solidifying

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During a recent earnings call, a Qualcomm executive remarked that the launch of DeepSeek R1 marks a turning point in the AI industry, with inference processes shifting from the cloud to local devices such as smartphones and computersThis transition necessitates smaller and more efficient AI models, and DeepSeek's technology is effectively optimized for Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, thus aiding manufacturers in realizing the potential of edge AI.

Despite the advantages of AI integration, there is a notable phenomenon where older phone models seem to be overlooked in this technological upgradeOne user of the Huawei Mate 30 expressed frustration, stating, “While the new models can access DeepSeek through the Xiao Yi assistant, my Mate 30 has no hope of an upgradeThe phone works perfectly well, yet due to its inability to support the new AI, I suddenly feel like I’ve been left behind in time.”

Similarly, a user with an Honor 20 Youth Edition voiced their disappointment, saying, “I have been using my Honor phone for over three years, and it still runs smoothly, but since it cannot update to the latest system, I’m missing out on the DeepSeek experience.”

The observations made by industry reporters reveal that many older devices indeed lack compatibility with DeepSeekFor instance, to access the beta version of DeepSeek-R1, HarmonyOS users must upgrade their Xiao Yi app to version 11.2.10.310 or higher, whereas Honor users require MagicOS 8.0 or above to utilize DeepSeek through the YOYO assistant.

Recognizing this concern, a customer service representative from Honor confirmed that older models must indeed upgrade to the requisite operating system version in order to access DeepSeek; anything below MagicOS 8.0 will not be supportedThis sentiment was echoed by sales representatives, who also noted that older smartphones often lack the software infrastructure needed for effective integration with new AI features.

Delving deeper into the technical implications, one might wonder whether older hardware is entirely incapable of supporting basic AI services

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