OpenAI may be expanding its hardware ambitions beyond earbuds, according to a new note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The AI company is reportedly working on a smartphone in partnership with chipmakers MediaTek and Qualcomm, along with manufacturing giant Luxshare. Unlike conventional devices, the proposed phone would eschew traditional apps in favor of AI agents that handle tasks directly.
Kuo, known for his accurate predictions on Apple products, suggests that OpenAI's custom chip development with MediaTek and Qualcomm will power the device, with Luxshare handling co-design and production. The analyst's note claims that the phone's software would rely on AI agents to complete user requests, bypassing the app-store model that currently dominates mobile ecosystems.
By creating its own hardware and software stack, OpenAI could circumvent the restrictions Apple and Google impose on third-party AI access. This move would give the company full control over system-level permissions, enabling deeper integration of its AI models. While OpenAI has not commented on the rumors, the report aligns with earlier speculation about the company's push into consumer devices.