Meizu’s Spring Surprise: Smartphone Stumble but AI Evolution on the Horizon

At the Meizu Fan Spring Festival 2026, the company made a surprising announcement: the release of the Meizu 22 Air smartphone has been officially canceled. Marketing director Wang Zhiqiang explained that the reason was a sharp increase in memory module prices, which rendered the business plan for this model unfeasible.

The design resembles the iPhone Air but features a horizontal camera block and a unique pixel backlight. Connectors are provided at the bottom of the cover for connecting external modules: an additional battery, a cooling game controller, or an external camera. The smartphone could also receive replaceable magnetic covers and a customizable two-step button on the side edge.

As consolation, the company announced the Meizu 22 Next AI Cube – a compact 4-inch device. This is an autonomous AI terminal with 5G support, running on AIOS. The device supports voice control of the smart home. However, all details, prices, and the start date of sales have not yet been disclosed.

Recent trends in the technology sector have seen memory module prices rising due to increased demand and supply chain disruptions, significantly impacting smartphone manufacturing costs industry-wide. As producers look to balance budgets, such price hikes affect planning and production strategies. While many companies seek innovative solutions, Meizu’s pivot to the AI sphere highlights both an adaptable strategy and a keen insight into market demands.

The Meizu 22 Next AI Cube positions itself as a prominent player amid rapidly expanding AI technologies. Distinguished by its highly responsive AIOS and seamless integration with home systems, it holds a promising edge in usability. The launch reflects Meizu’s resilience in adopting future-forward tech solutions, aligning with the latest consumer protection laws ensuring the safe implementation of AI systems.