OpenAI is making its own phone to compete with the iPhone: report

Source: 9to5Mac

OpenAI’s hardware ambitions have been no secret, but the company has long insisted it isn’t making a phone. A new report now claims that stance has changed, and an iPhone competitor from OpenAI is reportedly in development.

Ming‑Chi Kuo says OpenAI is planning a 2028 launch for its first phone

If you’ve followed OpenAI hardware rumors, you know the company is collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive on a suite of AI‑infused devices. The first product expected to launch is a HomePod‑type smart speaker that includes ChatGPT and a built‑in camera. Smart glasses and a smart lamp are also reportedly in development.

While earlier reports consistently said OpenAI was not working on a phone, that appears to have changed.

Analyst’s statement

In a post on X, analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo wrote:

OpenAI is working with MediaTek and Qualcomm to develop smartphone processors, with Luxshare as the exclusive system co‑design and manufacturing partner. Mass production is expected in 2028…Specifications and suppliers are expected to be finalized by late 2026 or 1Q27.

Kuo also explained that AI agents will shape the OpenAI smartphone, making it function and feel very different from an iPhone.

OpenAI CEO’s hint

In what may be no coincidence, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted the following on X yesterday:

feels like a good time to seriously rethink how operating systems and user interfaces are designed
(also the internet; there should be a protocol that is equally usable by people and agents) — Sam Altman (@sama) April 26, 2026

While OpenAI once seemed to believe it could disrupt the iPhone with its first AI devices, it now appears to view the smartphone as central to AI use for years to come.

Industry perspective

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas recently said that “the iPhone is actually not getting disrupted by AI at all.” He argued that as AI improves, the iPhone becomes even more valuable to users.

What do you think of OpenAI creating its own phone? Let us know in the comments.