DroiClaw AI-Native OS Brings System-Level Agents to Affordable Smartphones at RMB 1,099

How DroiClaw Is Moving Beyond the Traditional App-Based Operating System

The way people use smart devices is changing as AI becomes a bigger part of everyday life. At the center of that evolution is DroiClaw, an AI-native operating system developed by Shanghai Droi Technology. More than an AI app or assistant, DroiClaw is a next-generation operating system built for smart terminals, with the goal of creating an app-free, agentic OS ecosystem. By putting AI at the core of the user experience, DroiClaw represents a new approach to how devices understand, respond to, and complete everyday tasks across work, communication, travel, learning, entertainment, and personal assistance. What Makes an Operating System AI-Native? Unlike an AI assistant, chatbot, standalone AI tool, or conventional operating system with AI features added later, DroiClaw is designed as an AI-native OS built around artificial intelligence at the system level. Its architecture, interaction model, model scheduling, data processing, agent capabilities, and overall user experience are developed with AI as the foundation rather than as an add-on. This approach changes how people interact with their devices. Instead of opening individual apps to complete tasks, users can communicate naturally with DroiClaw through voice, keyboard input, images, documents, files, and real-time video queries. The system can understand requests across different formats, coordinate multiple functions, and complete tasks across supported device functions and authorized third-party applications. This creates a more seamless, agent-driven experience that moves beyond the traditional app-based model. The more it is used, the more the operating system can adapt to the user's habits and preferences, becoming increasingly personalized over time. From Apps to an Agentic Operating System One of DroiClaw's defining goals is to create an app-free, agentic OS that simplifies how people interact with their devices. Instead of requiring users to open multiple apps and complete each step manually, the system is designed to understand user intent, break down requests, and determine the actions needed to complete a task. DroiClaw can transform complex requests into individual steps, coordinate system functions and connected services, and complete authorized operations on the user's behalf. By reducing the need to switch between apps, menus, and settings, the operating system aims to make everyday interactions feel more natural. Users can focus on what they want to accomplish rather than how to accomplish it. Hybrid On-Device and Cloud AI DroiClaw combines lightweight on-device AI models with cloud-based large models to support different AI usage scenarios. Under normal conditions, users primarily access cloud-based large models, which support more advanced capabilities such as multimodal interactions, AIGC, complex reasoning, scheduled tasks, and skill execution. On-device models are mainly used in specific situations, such as when network access is unavailable or cloud service credits have been exhausted. In these cases, the system can automatically switch to an on-device model to process basic queries. With support for multiple cloud-based AI models, including customized and privately deployed options, DroiClaw provides users with greater flexibility in selecting AI services for different devices and use cases. A Safer, More Transparent Agent Ecosystem As AI agents become more capable of completing tasks, operating devices, accessing information, and coordinating services, the need for visibility and control becomes increasingly important. DroiClaw aims to create a secure, controllable, and observable AI agent ecosystem by giving users greater oversight of how agents operate. Rather than focusing only on whether an AI system is safe, this approach emphasizes permissions, authorization, transparency, and the ability to manage automated actions. Within this ecosystem, sensitive operations require user authorization, while task and model scheduling help determine how requests are processed. Together, these capabilities can help build trust by giving users a clearer understanding of what agents can do, what information they access, and how actions are carried out. For privacy-sensitive information, local processing can provide an additional layer of protection when needed. As AI agents take on more complex tasks, DroiClaw addresses a broader industry need for systems that are not only capable, but also trustworthy and accountable. Affordable AI and an Open Ecosystem DroiClaw aims to make advanced AI more accessible by bringing AI capabilities to mainstream and lower-priced smart terminals rather than limiting them to premium flagship devices. Through model flexibility, hardware neutrality, and ecosystem partnerships, the platform is designed to support a broader AI agent ecosystem across different devices and user groups. The first smartphones equipped with DroiClaw are priced at approximately RMB 1,099, reflecting the company's goal of expanding access to AI-powered experiences. The Future of AI-Native Operating Systems Shanghai Droi Technology brings a strong foundation in operating-system development to DroiClaw. Founded in 2008, the company developed FreemeOS, which, according to Shanghai Droi Technology, has been installed on more than 200 million devices across dozens of countries and regions. The company has also expanded its reach into mobile ecosystem services. With experience working across global markets and partnerships with more than 1,000 hardware and software partners, according to the company, DroiClaw builds on that foundation as Shanghai Droi Technology explores the next generation of AI-native smart devices.

DroiClaw aims to bring system-level AI agents to more phones

The below articles are sponsored by one of our partners. Product choices and opinions expressed are from the sponsor and do not reflect the views of the How-to Geek editorial staff. Often, AI on your phone lives inside a single chatbot app, without access to the rest of your operating system. DroiClaw aims to change that with an AI-native operating system in which AI can complete almost any task, from information searches to writing assistance, on devices without requiring any third-party apps. What is DroiClaw, and who is Shanghai Droi Technology? DroiClaw OS Android Brand DroiClaw DroiClaw is an AI-native operating system that gives compatible devices a system-level assistant capable of understanding content and performing actions across apps with user permission. Its hybrid on-device and cloud architecture supports customizable AI avatars, installable skills, task automation, and multiple AI models. See at DroiClaw Expand Collapse If you've never heard of Shanghai Droi Technology Co., Ltd., it's an established China-based mobile software and device integration company, not a new fly-by-night AI startup. DroiClaw is the latest innovation from Shanghai Droi, which the company has spent years building and refining. With a start in designing mobile phone motherboards, Shanghai Droi is poised to bring AI to more smartphone manufacturers through its many existing industry connections and partnerships. This is because Droi recognized that small and medium-sized smartphone manufacturers were facing an AI need, and not one that could be filled by standalone AI features. That gap is what DroiClaw is designed to fill. As an AI-centric operating system that's integrated at the OS level, DroiClaw is specifically built for the AI era with multimodal agent capabilities. It enables device manufacturers to easily integrate a wide range of AI capabilities without rebuilding their entire structure from the ground up themselves. DroiClaw moves beyond a basic chatbot Up until now, most devices required a third-party chatbot app to use AI effectively. While that does work, it's not very effective or efficient, since a simple chatbot can't operate your device and can only answer questions that you ask it. DroiClaw is designed to take AI beyond a basic chatbot and provide deep device integration. Designed as an AI-native operating system, DroiClaw provides a user interface for an AI agent to understand voice, images, files, and even on-screen content. The program is what you get when you integrate AI at the operating system level, making AI more accessible to all users. It delivers customizable AI avatars, voice and personality options, memories, and even offers pre-made and user-created skills that can be installed. An AI assistant that understands -- and operates -- apps Where DroiClaw really starts to show its capabilities is in how it operates on compatible devices. For instance, DroiClaw can act on your behalf to perform a wide range of functions. You can use natural language to talk to DroiClaw, saying things like "Use Uber to book me a ride to JFK Airport," and DroiClaw will do the heavy lifting. However, this is only one example of such operational efficiencies; DroiClaw is capable of so much more, like shopping, summarizing a group chat, translating a conversation, or scheduling a recurring task. DroiClaw differs from traditional chatbots by taking action on your device on your behalf. Normal chatbots just offer responses to a prompt, while DroiClaw takes automation a step further, performing the additional legwork to complete a given task. A few of DroiClaw's headlining features include: * Cross-app automation: The program interprets an operation or request and uses an app on your behalf (with your permission). * Multimodal interaction: DroiClaw works with text, as well as voice, images, files, camera input, and other on-screen content. * Personalization and expansion: It's not just another chat system; the program has AI avatars, memories, a model selection area, installable skills, and more. * Productivity assistance: DroiClaw can translate, generate meeting summaries, schedule recurring reminders, and more. The efficiencies that Hybrid AI can bring to all devices DroiClaw's appeal comes from its capabilities and how they're executed. Instead of relying on the cloud for all AI requests, DroiClaw actually runs on a hybrid architecture. This means that DroiClaw combines an on-device AI model with cloud-based large language models, enabling a wide range of capabilities. The program primarily utilizes cloud-based large language models for faster processing and smarter outputs. Some local models can be used as fallbacks when there is no network connectivity or you have run out of credits, meaning DroiClaw doesn't stop working where other AIs fail to operate. DroiClaw's local mode is designed to kick in when network connectivity is unavailable, or whenever token quotas have been reached for the month. In these scenarios, it can automatically switch to an on-device model to handle basic requests to support essential question-and-answer functionality. In addition to the local model, the DroiClaw platform will also support various cloud-based AI models and is not locked into one specific provider. This means you can configure it to work with a wide range of models, including customized and privately deployed options to choose the best fit for your needs. What does this mean for adopters of this program? The hybrid approach allows device manufacturers to build out infrastructure quickly, as DroiClaw provides everything needed to get started. And since the hybrid design allows for some functions to work offline, it's even more advanced than many other platforms out there today. The reason DroiClaw can help build out more affordable devices is that it supplies manufacturers with the agent, model, connections, skills, permissions, and automation layers to tackle AI tasks. This allows those manufacturers to focus on other areas, instead of spending R&D money building out AI and agentic workflows. DroiClaw is really positioned to help make manufacturers' lives easier by allowing them to offload the AI side of their operating systems and focus on what matters. A secure, controllable, and observable agent ecosystem While many AI systems want to remove control from the user, DroiClaw aims to put control back in the user's hands. This is important to the Droi team because AI agents are becoming extremely capable, DroiClaw included, and they wanted to make sure that everything DroiClaw does is secure, controllable, and observable. There are systems for full user authorization, permissions management, task scheduling, and even more layered data protection to ensure that DroiClaw only operates in a way that the user approves of. The platform clearly defines the boundaries where AI can operate, while ensuring sensitive actions remain under your control. DroiClaw is also completely observable. When you ask it a question or give it a command, you can actually view all that DroiClaw is doing in the background. DroiClaw opens the door to an AI-powered future DroiClaw aims to build an app-free Agentic OS ecosystem, powered by a hybrid on-device and cloud-based AI architecture. Its focus is to create a secure, controllable, and observable environment for AI agents. At the same time, Shanghai Droi Technology is equally committed to making AI more accessible, ensuring that advanced AI capabilities are no longer limited to high-end flagship devices. Two smartphones from Coolpad and Philips are currently powered by DroiClaw and priced around $160, delivering an advanced AI experience without costing thousands of dollars. Rather than being tied to a single hardware manufacturer or AI model, the native-AI operating system can support multiple device makers, developers, and AI providers. With DroiClaw, users can: * Personalization with AI avatars * Installable AI skills * Creating custom skills and scheduled tasks * Configuring and switching between different AI models It is designed to adapt and evolve alongside users and their future AI needs, making it the perfect platform for manufacturers to build their future smartphones on. Brought to you by DroiClaw.

DroiClaw is Evolving Smart Devices from App-Based to AI-Native OS

The evolution of the operating system (OS) across several device generations has always been driven by necessity. However, with the rapid expansion of the AI agent ecosystem, it is evident that the legacy OS is struggling to catch up. The continued reliance on traditional operating systems to run AI infrastructures has introduced inefficiencies that often prevent AI models from reaching their full potential. DroiClaw (Zhuge) is an AI-native operating system developed by Shanghai Droi Technology. It integrates AI into the underlying system architecture instead of relying on app installations to add AI capabilities. The OS accepts multimodal inputs, including text, voice, images, files, and visual information, enabling more natural interactions across different smart-terminal scenarios. By embedding AI directly into the system, DroiClaw aims to simplify how users interact with their devices while supporting a broader range of intelligent experiences. What Makes an Operating System AI-Native? In legacy OS, AI capabilities, like an assistant or a chatbot, are add-ons that can be installed on the system as apps. In other words, they don't have AI capabilities natively built into their infrastructure. To get AI capabilities on a traditional OS, a user must install multiple AI-purpose-built apps, with each application typically handling only a specific function or workflow. DroiClaw is not another tool or AI feature added to a conventional OS. It was designed around AI at the system level. The architecture, interaction model, model scheduling, data processing, agent capabilities, and user experience are all built with AI as the foundational element. Rather than treating AI as an additional feature, the operating system incorporates it into the core of how the device functions. From Apps to an Agentic OS On smartphones running traditional operating systems, users often need to open separate apps and complete multiple steps to carry out a task. DroiClaw's core objective is to build an app-free Agentic OS ecosystem that moves beyond the traditional app-centered interaction model. The smart terminal OS uses natural-language interaction and AI agents to understand user intent for a tailored, streamlined experience. By coordinating different system functions and services, the OS breaks down complex requests into smaller tasks and completes user-authorized operations, reducing the need to manually switch between multiple apps. Users can install skills from a skill library or create customized skills for specific tasks and workflows, allowing the system to adapt to different needs and usage scenarios. Although the shift from an app-centric operating system toward an intent-driven Agentic OS is intended to eliminate the inefficiencies of the former and make the completion of tasks less time-consuming, the authorization step allows users to remain in control of important actions before they are carried out. Hybrid On-Device and Cloud AI DroiClaw uses a hybrid architecture that combines lightweight on-device AI models with cloud-based large models to support different usage scenarios. Under normal conditions, users primarily rely on cloud-based large models, which provide more advanced capabilities such as multimodal interactions, AIGC, complex reasoning, content generation, scheduled tasks, and skill execution. These cloud-based models are designed to handle more demanding AI workloads while supporting a broad range of intelligent functions. On-device models mainly serve as a fallback in specific situations, such as when internet access is unavailable or cloud service credits have been exhausted. In these cases, the system can automatically switch to the local model to handle basic question-and-answer tasks, allowing users to continue accessing core AI functionality even when cloud resources are unavailable. A Secure, Controllable, and Observable Agent Ecosystem As the capability of AI agents grows from performing simple tasks to operating devices, accessing data, and coordinating services, users and ecosystem partners need greater visibility and control over data handling and transfer. The vision of DroiClaw's ecosystem is to make data processing and transfer more transparent through task and model scheduling and layered data protection. Shanghai Droi Technology's AI-native OS offers greater transparency and control through user authorization and controllable execution of automated tasks. Sensitive operations are handled only after the user permits them. The operational permission management system gives users greater visibility into agent actions and when permissions are required. This transparency is intended to help build trust in AI agents while allowing users to maintain control over how automated actions are performed. Affordable AI and an Open Ecosystem The biggest industry shift that DroiClaw hopes to achieve is bringing advanced AI capabilities to low- to mid-end, lower-priced smart terminals. This is a significant benefit for consumers since legacy OS often requires powerful hardware infrastructure to run on-device AI models, which can push device costs beyond the reach of mainstream users. The first smartphones equipped with DroiClaw are priced at around RMB 1,099 (approximately $165). For comparison, flagship smartphones running on legacy OS with on-device AI capabilities typically cost around $800 to $1,300 (approximately RMB 5,425 to 8,815). Shanghai Droi Technology's AI-native OS is not intended to be restricted to a single hardware brand or AI service. It provides an open ecosystem that supports different hardware platforms and AI models, giving developers and users the flexibility to switch between AI models and add customized models. The importance of the shift toward open-source AI models has also been demonstrated by OpenClaw. Conclusion Shanghai Droi Technology was founded in 2008 and specializes in the development of operating systems and mobile internet ecosystem services. The company independently develops FreemeOS and DroiClaw, alongside a broader portfolio of digital services. According to Shanghai Droi Technology, FreemeOS has received more than 200 million device installs across dozens of countries and regions. The company also works with more than 1,000 hardware and software ecosystem partners and serves multiple global markets. Building on that experience, DroiClaw is positioned to support the evolution of AI-native smart devices while making intelligent operating systems more accessible to a wider range of users.

How DroiClaw is building an AI-native operating system for the agentic era

Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancement is accelerating rapidly. Companies like Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI are continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI. However, beneath the steady release of model upgrades, another trend is taking shape: the introduction of AI-native operating systems. This new trend aims to reduce user friction by creating a more intuitive way to interact with AI and technology. DroiClaw, an AI-native operating system developed by Shanghai Droi Technology, is an example of this next-generation approach to AI development and advancement. Read on to learn what an AI-native operating system is and how DroiClaw is reshaping the agentic OS landscape. What makes an operating system AI-native? In a conventional operating system, the artificial intelligence layer typically exists as a separate application or feature layer. To access it, a user has to open different apps (that have AI features built in) and then type in their requests. In essence, this means the AI is restricted to operating within that specific app and cannot execute complex workflows. So here, AI functions as an "add-on" rather than a core element. In a truly AI-native operating system, the intelligence is built directly into the underlying infrastructure, not at the app level. Because of this system-level integration, AI can draw on data, coordinate tasks, and operate across the entire system rather than remain confined within isolated "app silos." As industry attention shifts toward more intuitive and intent-driven AI, Shanghai Droi Technology is positioning DroiClaw as an AI-native operating system designed for next-generation smart terminals. From apps to an agentic OS Traditional smartphone devices are built around an app-centric model. To complete a task, users will have to find the right application, open it, and navigate through different pages or interfaces. While this approach seems straightforward at first, it quickly becomes complex when users must coordinate tasks across multiple apps and interfaces. DroiClaw's long-term vision is to solve these inefficiencies by building an app-free, agentic OS ecosystem. Here, AI becomes the primary interface between users and their tasks. So instead of searching through multiple apps, users simply describe what they want to accomplish to the system. Then, DroiClaw uses natural language understanding and its AI agent ecosystem to break requests into steps before autonomously coordinating the functions and services required for successful execution. This significantly reduces the number of manual steps a user needs to take to complete a task. In addition, DroiClaw supports multimodal interaction, allowing it to process text, files, images, and visual information to enable more natural and efficient agentic workflows. It also includes a library of installable skills that users can access for different tasks. In addition to installing skills already available in the skill library, users can also create custom skills based on their own needs. The system can record which skills a user frequently relies on and prioritize those skills in future interactions, helping make skill invocation more convenient and relevant over time. Hybrid on-device and cloud AI DroiClaw's Agentic OS uses a hybrid architecture that combines an on-device AI model with cloud-based large models. Under normal conditions, users primarily rely on cloud-based large models, which support more advanced capabilities such as multimodal interactions, AIGC, complex reasoning, scheduled tasks, and skill execution. DroiClaw is compatible with mainstream large models, and also supports customized or privately deployed models. The local model serves as a fallback option in specific situations. When network access is unavailable or cloud service credits have been exhausted, the system can automatically switch to the on-device model without requiring users to make the change manually. It mainly supports basic question-and-answer functions. A secure, controllable, and observable agent ecosystem Running a truly open ecosystem requires AI agents to be able to operate autonomously. However, as agents take on more autonomy, trust becomes essential. Users and ecosystem partners should have greater visibility into their AI agents' actions. They should also retain sufficient control over their actions in case intervention becomes necessary. DroiClaw aims to build a secure, controllable, and observable AI agent ecosystem that prioritizes providing users and partners with visibility into what the AI system is doing or has done. It will also include features such as mandatory user authorization before sensitive operations, operational permission management, and controllable execution of automated tasks. In addition, DroiClaw is integrating layered data protection and local processing for privacy-sensitive information into its foundational infrastructure. This approach reflects a detailed response to a wider industry need for AI agents that are trustworthy and manageable. Affordable AI and an open ecosystem Accessibility will play a major role in determining whether AI-native operating systems like DroiClaw will be truly successful. This is because if AI-native OS experiences remain limited to premium hardware or closed platforms, adoption will be restricted. DroiClaw aims to build affordable AI with model flexibility and hardware neutrality in mind. DroiClaw's system is built to support different device manufacturers, hardware platforms, and service providers. Its architecture can accommodate a broad range of AI models and developers. The system also allows for switching between different AI models and adding custom models. This helps to lower the cost of production and deployment, thereby providing greater flexibility for AI democratization and innovation. According to the company, the first smartphones equipped with DroiClaw are priced at approximately RMB 1,099. The democratization and flexibility of AI could be further accelerated through partnerships across the broader open AI-agent ecosystem, such as OpenClaw. Company background and conclusion Shanghai Droi Technology, the developer of DroiClaw, was founded in 2008 and specializes in operating-system development and mobile internet ecosystem services. According to the company, its FreemeOS platform has been installed on more than 200 million devices across dozens of countries and regions. Shanghai Droi Technology also states that it works with more than 1,000 hardware and software ecosystem partners and serves markets including Europe, Russia, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. DroiClaw represents a further step in the company's AI-native operating-system development, building on its experience in OS development and mobile ecosystem services.