OpenAI plans to step into the smartphone market to expand its influence in the field of artificial intelligence. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated in a post on the X platform that the company is collaborating with MediaTek and Qualcomm to develop smartphone processors. Mass production is expected to begin in 2028.
Innovative Approaches in Processor Design
According to Kuo's statements, factors such as power consumption, memory management, and small model execution will be prioritized in the design of the new processors. Additionally, it is indicated that more complex tasks will be handled by cloud-based artificial intelligence. The exact technical specifications and suppliers are expected to be clarified by late 2026 or the first quarter of next year.
Moreover, it is emphasized that OpenAI's chipset should have the ability to continuously understand user context. In this regard, Qualcomm's Sensing Hub technology provides a significant advantage by supporting "always-on" scenarios with low power consumption. According to Kuo, a China-based supplier named Luxshare will partner with OpenAI in system design and production during this process.
AI Agents and Future Use Cases
Kuo also presented interesting ideas on how AI agents could transform the functionality of smartphones. Users are expected to perform their tasks through their phones instead of using a range of applications. It should also be noted that OpenAI's interest and work in this area began earlier; the company is known to be working on AI hardware with Jony Ive, a former designer at Apple.
The information that Jony Ive's venture io Products was acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion in March 2025 is noteworthy. Additionally, it should not be overlooked that Jony Ive and Sam Altman have completed the first prototypes of AI hardware. It seems that OpenAI aims to make a significant impact in the tech world with both AI hardware and its new smartphone in the upcoming period.