Smartisan

About Smartisan

Smartisan Technology Co., Ltd. was a Chinese technology company that designed and marketed consumer electronics, primarily known for its smartphones and its proprietary Android-based operating system, Smartisan OS. Founded in Beijing on May 28, 2012, by Luo Yonghao, a former English teacher and internet personality, the company aimed to combine artisanship with smart technology. The name "Smartisan" is a blend of "smart" and "artisan," reflecting its focus on design and user experience.

Luo Yonghao, often called "Lao Luo," was a high school dropout who became a famous teacher at New Oriental for his witty and unconventional style. His celebrity status was central to the company's branding. He founded Smartisan with the goal of creating the "perfect phone," inspired by Apple's design philosophy but tailored for Chinese consumers. The company's first major announcement was Smartisan OS in March 2013, followed by its first smartphone, the Smartisan T1, in May 2014. The T1's packaging was even designed by a firm founded by a former Apple designer. The OS was noted for its unique features like "Big Bang" for text editing and "One Step" for multitasking, which aimed to improve efficiency beyond standard Android capabilities.

Smartisan operated as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), selling its products online through its own store and major e-commerce platforms. Its product line included several smartphone models like the T, M, U (Jianguo), and R series, as well as earphones. Despite gaining a loyal following for its sleek designs and innovative software, the company struggled to compete in China's fierce smartphone market against larger players like Huawei and Xiaomi. Financial difficulties mounted, leading to unpaid supplier bills and legal issues. In 2019, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, acquired some of Smartisan's patents and hired many of its employees. ByteDance continued the brand for a short period, releasing the Smartisan Nut R2, before officially suspending the smartphone business in January 2021 to pivot the team toward educational hardware.