Reports from supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have pushed the long-running rumors of an OpenAI hardware play to a new level. Kuo says that Sam Altman’s company is speeding up the development of a proprietary “AI agent” phone. OpenAI’s vision is said to be based on a radical “agentic” operating system, which is different from the way Apple’s and Google’s current devices work, which is by using a grid of individual apps. In this ecosystem, autonomous AI agents would do complicated things like booking travel and managing workflows directly through the OS, without using traditional app interfaces. Reports say that OpenAI is working with MediaTek and Qualcomm to make a custom processor called the Dimensity 9600, which will run on a cutting-edge 2nm-class node. At first, the company planned to start mass production in 2028, but new information suggests that they might push for a rollout in the first half of 2027 to strengthen their story before a highly anticipated IPO.
This smartphone project seems to be a separate, more mainstream part of OpenAI’s hardware strategy, different from the high-concept “screenless” device that they are currently working on with Jony Ive, the former head of design at Apple. This smartphone project seems to be a separate, more mainstream part of OpenAI’s hardware strategy, different from the high-concept “screenless” device that they are currently working on with Jony Ive, the former head of design at Apple. OpenAI wants to get around the platform limits of the iOS and Android duopoly by making its own phone. This will give it full access to the real-time user context—location, communication, and behavior—that a truly proactive AI needs. OpenAI wants to get around the platform limits of the iOS and Android duopoly by making its own phone. This will give it full access to the real-time user context—location, communication, and behavior—that a truly proactive AI needs. Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, hinted that the company would make its first hardware announcement (probably AI-integrated earbuds) in late 2026. The smartphone is the clear “moonshot.” Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, hinted that the company would make its first hardware announcement (probably AI-integrated earbuds) in late 2026. The smartphone is the clear “moonshot.” If it works, analysts say that OpenAI could ship more than 30 million units by 2028. This would make the company not only a software giant, but also a direct competitor to the hardware dominance of the Silicon Valley old guard. If it works, analysts say that OpenAI could ship more than 30 million units by 2028. This would make the company not only a software giant, but also a direct competitor to the hardware dominance of the Silicon Valley old guard.
