OpenAI could enter the smartphone market in the future and thus re-heat competition in an already well-established industry.
• OpenAI is apparently planning a smartphone and could put Apple under pressure
• Collaboration with QUALCOMM on chips, mass production possibly from 2028
• New AI-based business models such as hardware bundling and subscriptions possible
ChatGPT developer OpenAI may be planning to launch its own smartphone. This is what Barron’s reports. Such a step could present Apple with new challenges and at the same time bring advantages for the chip manufacturer QUALCOMM, it is said.
Cooperation with QUALCOMM and possible production from 2028
As TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo announced on April 27, 2026 on X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI is working with MediaTek and QUALCOMM to develop smartphone processors. Luxshare will also act as the exclusive partner for system design and manufacturing. According to current expectations, mass production is targeted for 2028:
– ???|Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) April 27, 2026
The planned device is intended to replace classic app usage with an AI agent. To achieve this, OpenAI relies on complete control over hardware and software as well as the combination of cloud and on-device AI.
OpenAI has a strong brand, extensive data sets and leading AI models. Since smartphone hardware is already largely mature, the company can build on existing production and supply chains, Kuo said on
Impact on the smartphone and chip market
Last year, OpenAI announced it would acquire a startup founded by Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief designer, for $6.4 billion, Barron’s reported. However, specific hardware products from this planned takeover have not yet been presented.
Another large customer that competes with Apple in the smartphone segment could mean significant relief for QUALCOMM, it is said. The company currently produces modem systems for the iPhone. However, Apple is now working on its own modems, according to Barron’s. This could reduce the need for QUALCOMM technologies in the future.
Apple and OpenAI have already worked together in the past, it is said. At the same time, however, Apple has decided to rely on Google technologies for an AI upgrade of its voice assistant Siri.
Svenja Polonyi, editorial team at finanzen.net
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