OpenAI targets 2026 for first hardware device launch

OpenAI is on track to announce its first hardware device in the second half of 2026, according to OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane. While the company has kept details about the upcoming product quiet, reports from Asian publications suggest that the first device could be a pair of earbuds. The project, which is reportedly codenamed “Sweet Pea,” follows a period of significant public interest in OpenAI’s hardware ambitions. This interest was initially sparked in 2025, when the company created a lot of hype around hardware after acquiring a startup founded by former Apple design head Jony Ive. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously shared a minimal vision for such a device, describing its potential design as “peaceful and calm.”

According to reports, the earbuds could work on a custom 2-nanometer processor. This represents an advanced semiconductor manufacturing process that would allow the device to handle AI tasks locally on the hardware itself, rather than relying on cloud-based processing. To manufacture the device, a Taiwanese newspaper noted that OpenAI was exploring a partnership with China-based Luxshare, though the company might eventually lean in favor of Taiwan’s Foxconn.

In its first year of sales, OpenAI aims to ship 40 to 50 million units of the device. This distribution push comes as OpenAI seeks to establish direct access to users, bypassing third-party platforms. Currently, OpenAI’s ChatGPT service has nearly a billion weekly users but remains dependent on external operating systems for distribution. With its own device, OpenAI aims to take more control of the development and distribution of its AI assistant, while also potentially releasing exclusive and purpose-built features.

By launching its own hardware, OpenAI would enter a highly competitive market where other AI-focused hardware startups have struggled to find success. For instance, competitors like Humane and Rabbit have struggled, with Rabbit continuing to operate following its initial hype in 2024. Additionally, the Friend AI companion necklace faced a “swift backlash” for its marketing tactics. Meanwhile, larger competitors like Meta and Amazon are also making moves into the wearables market.

Why it matters

OpenAI is moving to vertically integrate its AI assistant by controlling hardware distribution. This represents a high-stakes pivot to capture the user experience directly rather than relying on third-party operating systems and platforms.