Nio’s first phone will start shipping next year

Nio’s first premium phone will be released next year although, according to this most recent report, it could have been available even this year. Ouyang Chen told his 1.26 million followers on Weibo, that the company had to focus on other projects now, which caused the phone to be pushed back to next year.

The blogger suggested that if the phone was to be released this year, it would have been manufactured under ODM business model - it means it would have been designed and manufactured by a contractor. Clearly that’s not what Nio wants and is pushing for OEM production, which obviously takes more time.

OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, means a contract manufacturer producing device according to design and specification supplied by the client - think of Apple and Foxconn.

Nio is putting a lot of effort into its phone, it hired the former president of Meitu to run its phone business and will most likely want to be involved in manufacturing of the device. The company ruled out the idea of having other phone makers produce its first phone.

The phone will come with many new features designed specifically for interaction with Nio’s electric cars. There will be a mobile version of Nomi - the virtual voice assistant, the phone will be able to exchange files with the car and project AR and VR resources.

Nio’s chairman, William Li, confirmed at the recent talk show appearance, that the company was still in the research phase and its interest in mobile phones was dictated by customers wanting phones better connected with cars.

The company is not looking for commercial success when it comes to its new phone. It wants to fill the gap and enhance the experience of Nio car owners and as such, the phone will be an addition to the car.

Nio’s realization that there’s something missing on the phone market is eerily similar to Apple’s attempt to join the automotive market and make its own car. Both companies understand not only the importance of the phone-car relation but the huge possibilities this environment brings.

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