OpenAI is reportedly accelerating development of its first AI-focused smartphone, with mass production potentially beginning in the first half of 2027, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The device is expected to run on a customised MediaTek Dimensity 9600 chipset and could feature advanced AI processing capabilities, upgraded HDR imaging and enhanced security technologies. OpenAI has not officially confirmed any smartphone project.
Kuo said the company may begin large-scale production earlier than previously anticipated, without waiting until 2027. The revised timeline is reportedly being driven by increasing competition in the AI agent smartphone segment and OpenAI’s potential plans for an initial public offering.
The analyst had earlier indicated that production for the OpenAI smartphone could begin around 2028, but the latest information suggests a significantly earlier launch schedule. The current details are based on supply chain information and industry leaks, as the company has not issued an official announcement.
According to the report, OpenAI’s first smartphone could use a customised MediaTek Dimensity 9600 processor manufactured on TSMC’s N2P process technology, which is expected to be introduced in the second half of 2026.
Kuo said the chipset could include a new image signal processor with an upgraded HDR pipeline aimed at improving camera processing performance. The device is also expected to include dual-NPU architecture, LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage. Security-related features such as pKVM and inline hashing could also be integrated into the smartphone.
If OpenAI enters the smartphone market, it could compete directly with Apple, Samsung Electronics and Google, which are expanding their focus on AI-powered smartphone features.
AI agent-based smartphones are increasingly being viewed as a major emerging technology category, with user interaction expected to move beyond conventional app-based interfaces toward AI assistant-driven experiences.
Kuo estimates that if development progresses according to current plans, cumulative shipments of the OpenAI smartphone could reach 30 million units between 2027 and 2028. However, the projections remain unconfirmed pending an official announcement from OpenAI.
