OpenAI’s AI Smartphone Could Launch as Early as First Half of 2027

Late last month, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that OpenAI is working on an AI smartphone. The claim immediately caught eyeballs of many, especially as it contradicted earlier reports that suggested the company isn’t considering entering the mobile market. Well, Kuo has now shared some more details about OpenAI’s AI smartphone, adding weight to his previous claim.

OpenAI’s AI smartphone will reportedly launch in the first half of 2027

Per Kuo’s latest post on X, OpenAI is fast-tracking the development of its first AI agent phone (via MacRumors). The company is reportedly targeting as early as the first half of 2027 to launch the device. The company is reportedly eyeing a controlled supply chain, with early signs pointing to MediaTek as a key partner.

Per the claim, OpenAI‘s AI smartphone centers around on-device intelligence, with the imaging system likely to become the standout feature. Kuo also notes that “the ISP [Image Signal Processor] is the headline spec [of the device], with an enhanced HDR pipeline improving real-world visual sensing.”

Additionally, the analyst hints at a dual-NPU architecture to handle “heterogeneous” AI workloads. Kuo further goes on to claim that OpenAI’s first-ever smartphone will reportedly feature LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage to “ease memory bottlenecks” in high-speed AI processing. It’s important to note that no smartphone in the market currently comes with LPDDR6, though a few upcoming smartphones from OnePlus and Xiaomi have been tipped to feature it onboard.

Custom-built 2nm MediaTek Dimensity 9600 SoC tipped for the smartphone

As Kuo points out, OpenAI is eyeing MediaTek as the leading candidate to supply a customized Dimensity 9600 SoC built on TSMC’s 2nm process in the second half of 2026. This positions the chipmaker in a stronger role in AI devices, as makers push into agent-like computing.

Last but not least, Kuo, in the post, also notes that “if development stays on track, combined 2027–2028 shipments could reach around 30 million units.” All that said, nothing is official at the moment, so we expect you to take the news with a grain of salt. As details emerge down the line, we’ll keep updating you about OpenAI’s first AI phone, or the first smartphone for that matter. Not to forget, OpenAI is also reportedly developing an AI device in partnership with Jony Ive, which reports from earlier this year claim is on track for a late 2026 launch.