OpenAI may be getting ready to enter the smartphone market, and if recent leaks are accurate, it plans to move fast. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company could begin mass production of its first AI-focused phone as early as the first half of 2027. Even more interesting is the supposed scale, as shipments for 2027 and 2028 combined could reach around 30 million units.

This would mark a big shift for OpenAI, which has so far focused on software and AI models. We did hear earlier this year that the company is also planning to release AI earbuds this year, though we haven’t heard too much about these since. AI-focused hardware from OpenAI has been discussed for a while now, but leaks seem to be ramping up lately.

OpenAI is apparently making its very own smartphone

The idea behind this device is not to create just another smartphone, but something rather different. The goal is to build what is being called an “AI agent phone,” where users do not rely on apps in the traditional sense. Instead, the device would focus on helping users complete tasks directly using AI.

To make this work, OpenAI is expected to tightly control both the hardware and software. This approach would allow the company to deliver a more seamless AI experience, where the phone constantly understands the user’s context and responds in real time. The smartphone is seen as the ideal device for this, as it already tracks user behavior, location, and daily activity.

On the hardware side, MediaTek currently appears to be the leading partner for the processor. The chip is expected to be a customized version of the Dimensity 9600, built on TSMC’s advanced N2P process. Instead of focusing only on raw performance, the chip will be designed to handle AI workloads more efficiently.

One of the key features could be an improved image signal processor, which would help the phone better understand its surroundings through enhanced HDR processing. The device is also expected to include a dual-NPU setup, allowing it to handle different AI tasks at the same time. Memory and storage upgrades like LPDDR6 and UFS 5.0 are also being considered to avoid bottlenecks.

For now, OpenAI has not officially confirmed any of these plans. But if the leaks are accurate, the company could become a major player in the next wave of smartphones, especially as AI becomes a bigger part of everyday technology.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.