According to a recent report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAI is in the process of developing a smartphone designed to integrate advanced Agentic AI capabilities. The device is expected to enter mass production in 2028, providing on-device AI functionalities alongside more complex tasks handled via the cloud.
Kuo reveals that OpenAI is collaborating with MediaTek and Qualcomm to create a custom chipset for this smartphone. Furthermore, Luxshare has been designated as the exclusive co-design and manufacturing partner for the device.
OpenAI smartphone UI concept design (Credit: Ming-Chi Kuo)The upcoming smartphone is expected to deviate from the conventional app grid and icons, opting instead for a unique “task stream” interface. This design will display tasks and their current status prominently on the screen, and OpenAI aims to foster a new agentic AI ecosystem in partnership with third-party developers.
A notable insight from Kuo's report suggests that the OpenAI smartphone will “need to continuously understand the user’s context,” indicating an always-on functionality at the chipset level. Additionally, OpenAI is likely to bundle some of its AI subscription services with the device.
Jony Ive and Sam Altman want to build a ''family of devices''Speculation surrounding OpenAI's hardware offerings has intensified since the company acquired Jony Ive’s “io” startup last year. At that time, Sam Altman and Ive communicated their aspirations of creating a “family of devices,” leading to further conjecture about additional products such as AI pens, AI earbuds, and more recently, a smart speaker.
