22/09/2023 (China) - Chinese electric vehicle startup Nio had unveiled its inaugural smartphone on Thursday, aiming to cater to the demands of drivers seeking seamless integration with their vehicles. The Nio Phone was introduced by CEO William Li during a press conference in Shanghai.
The Android device was powered by Qualcomm processors and boasted a 6.81-inch display along with a 50-megapixel camera. It was designed to work harmoniously with Nio's latest electric vehicles, enabling users to control functions like air conditioning and seat massagers directly from their smartphones.
The phone's capabilities extended to in-car navigation, allowing users to navigate to destinations searched on their phones, and it also supported remote meetings through an in-car camera.
Nio had initiated the reservation process for the phone, pricing it starting from 6,499 yuan ($890). While Nio marketed its electric vehicles in various international markets, the smartphone was exclusively available in China.
In addition to the smartphone launch, the company had also announced the commencement of mass production for automotive semiconductors developed in-house. These semiconductors were designed to enhance the processing capacity of car sensor data and reduce power consumption, marking a significant step forward in Nio's technological advancements.