OpenAI is gearing up to launch an AI‑agent smartphone, with market analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo projecting a 30 million‑unit production run by 2027‑28. Kuo, a Hong Kong‑based analyst for TF International Securities known for accurate Apple forecasts, posted on X that the company is "fast‑tracking" the device, which he labeled an "AI agent phone." He expects mass production to begin in the first half of next year, followed by a ramp‑up that could see 30 million phones shipped by the end of 2028 if the plan stays on track.

The phone would diverge from traditional app‑centric designs. Instead of loading dozens of apps, the device would rely on AI agents to handle tasks, retrieve information and provide entertainment. Kuo said MediaTek is likely to be the sole processor supplier, delivering a customized Dimensity 9600 chipset built for high‑end AI processing and hardcore gaming. He also noted that Qualcomm and Luxshare are in the supply chain, with the latter expected to provide chargers, cables, antennas and connectors.

Key hardware features include an enhanced image signal processor that captures high‑dynamic‑range photos, feeding richer visual data to the on‑board AI. The phone would sport a dual‑NPU architecture, allowing one neural processor to focus on image enhancement while the other tackles object detection or language tasks. Kuo highlighted the importance of strong memory and security capabilities in the software stack, though he did not disclose operating system details.

OpenAI’s move follows a shift from earlier reports that the company would avoid "side quests" such as hardware development. A CNET survey last fall showed most phone owners were lukewarm about AI features, yet industry players remain confident that AI will eventually replace conventional apps. The market outlook supports that optimism: Grand View Research forecasts the global AI‑enabled smartphone market to climb from 52.1 million units in 2023 to nearly 1.9 billion by 2030.

Other manufacturers have already embedded AI into flagship devices. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google’s Pixel 10 Pro, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, Honor’s Magic 7 Pro and Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra all feature AI‑driven capabilities. OpenAI hopes its agent‑centric approach will differentiate its phone in a crowded field.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s legal entanglements remain in the background; Ziff Davis sued OpenAI in 2025 over alleged copyright infringement in AI training data. That case has not been resolved, but it does not appear to affect the smartphone project.

If OpenAI meets its production timeline, the company could become a notable player in the emerging AI phone segment, challenging established brands and testing consumer appetite for a device that replaces apps with conversational agents. The next few months will reveal whether the AI‑agent phone can move beyond prototype status and capture market share.

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