MWC 2026: ZTE (中兴通讯) debuts iMoochi, a pet-style AI companion

What’s new

ZTE (中兴通讯) used Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to expand its AI hardware ambitions, unveiling iMoochi, a pet-style AI companion designed for users of all ages. According to TechNode, the device simulates lifelike behaviors and adapts its interaction patterns based on user engagement, signaling a push beyond ZTE’s traditional telecom gear and smartphones. It has been reported that iMoochi will come in multiple variants, though full specifications and availability details were not immediately disclosed.

Why it matters

For Western readers, ZTE is best known as a major Chinese telecom equipment maker with a growing consumer portfolio. The iMoochi launch underscores a broader pivot among Chinese tech firms toward “emotional AI” and household robotics—products that blend entertainment, companionship, and ambient computing. Can a friendly, always-on companion become the next mass-market device category after smart speakers and wearables?

Geopolitics and market context

The debut arrives against a backdrop of sustained U.S. export controls and scrutiny of Chinese tech—ZTE itself faced a U.S. supply ban in 2018 that was later lifted after a settlement and compliance measures. Such pressures have pushed Chinese companies to localize supply chains and prioritize on-device AI. MWC remains a global stage to court carriers and consumers alike, and iMoochi gives ZTE a fresh consumer-facing story amid intense competition and shifting trade policies.

What to watch

Key unknowns include price, launch timing, and whether ZTE will attempt broad Western rollouts or focus on China and select emerging markets. Equally important: how the device handles data security, children’s privacy, and regional compliance if it expands internationally. If iMoochi’s adaptive behaviors feel truly “alive” without compromising privacy, ZTE may have found a sticky new AI form factor. If not, it risks joining a crowded field of novelty companions.