According to a recent report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAI is developing a smartphone designed to deliver advanced Agentic AI capabilities. This innovative device is expected to begin mass production in 2028, featuring on-device AI functionalities while relying on cloud support for more intensive tasks.
Kuo notes that OpenAI is collaborating with MediaTek and Qualcomm to create a custom chipset specifically for this smartphone. Furthermore, Luxshare has been identified as the exclusive co-design and manufacturing partner for the project.
OpenAI smartphone UI concept design (Credit: Ming-Chi Kuo)The upcoming smartphone will reportedly move away from traditional app-based interfaces, opting for a unique “task stream” system. This interface will provide a cohesive design, showing tasks and their statuses directly on the home screen. The report suggests that OpenAI aims to create an entirely new agentic AI ecosystem with the assistance of third-party developers.
A notable element from Kuo’s analysis is the necessity for the OpenAI smartphone to “continuously understand the user’s context,” indicating a likely always-on capability at the chipset level. Additionally, OpenAI is anticipated to bundle certain AI subscriptions with this smartphone.
Jony Ive and Sam Altman want to build a 'family of devices'Speculation around OpenAI's hardware ventures has intensified since the company's acquisition of Jony Ive's “io” startup last year. During that time, Sam Altman and Ive expressed their ambition to create a “family of devices.” This has led to various rumors concerning the potential development of an AI Pen, AI earbuds, and more recently, a smart speaker.
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