OpenAI may fast-track first AI phone launch to 2027: Ming-Chi Kuo
OpenAI’s push into hardware appears to be picking up pace. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company is now aiming to begin mass production of its first AI-focused smartphone as early as the first half of 2027. That is earlier than previous estimates pointing to 2028, suggesting the project has moved up in priority.
OpenAI smartphone launch timeline
Kuo’s latest note on X indicates OpenAI is accelerating development, potentially to align with a larger business moment such as an IPO. Earlier updates had suggested a longer roadmap, with chip development involving MediaTek and Qualcomm, and manufacturing support from Luxshare.
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The current expectation is that MediaTek could end up as the primary chip supplier. Even then, this is not expected to be a high-volume launch immediately. Kuo estimates around 30 million units across 2027 and 2028 combined, which is relatively small compared to the wider smartphone market. For context, Apple and Samsung ship around 60 million units in a quarter. The early phase looks more like a controlled rollout than a mass-market push.
Key specs (leaked)
The OpenAI phone is expected to run on a customised version of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 chip, built on TSMC’s upcoming N2P process. In simple terms, this refers to a newer way of manufacturing chips that improves efficiency and performance, which matters when the phone is expected to run AI tasks continuously.
One of the headline components is the image signal processor (ISP), which handles how the camera processes what it sees. An upgraded HDR pipeline here is meant to improve “visual sensing,” or how well the device understands scenes in real time, not just how photos look after they are taken.
The chip is also said to include a dual-NPU setup. NPUs, or neural processing units, are specialised parts of a processor designed for AI tasks. A dual setup suggests the phone can handle different types of AI workloads at the same time, such as on-device assistance while also analysing context in the background.
Memory and storage are also getting upgrades, with LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage. These are newer standards that help move data faster, which becomes important when multiple AI processes are running together. On the security side, features like pKVM (a way to isolate sensitive data in a protected environment) and inline hashing (used to verify data integrity) point to a focus on keeping personal information secure as more of it is processed directly on the phone.
The Jony Ive Project (screenless device)
Alongside the smartphone, OpenAI is also reportedly working with former Apple design head Jony Ive on a separate device. This project is believed to be screenless, relying more on voice and ambient interaction instead of a traditional display.
While details are limited, thos suggests OpenAI is thinking beyond a single product. The smartphone would act as the main device, while a screenless product could explore simpler, always-on interactions without requiring users to look at a screen.
Companies like Apple and Samsung are adding AI features into existing systems, but the core experience remains app-driven. OpenAI, on the other hand, is trying to build a phone where AI is the main interface, not just an added feature. That’s a bigger shift and will depend on how well the experience works in everyday use, not just on the hardware.
In the near term, this does not change buying decisions. Current flagship phones continue to offer a polished experience with improving AI tools. The OpenAI device is still some distance away, and its success will depend on whether it can offer a clearer, more useful alternative to how people already use their phones today.
