OpenAI is preparing to become a new competitor to both Google and Apple in the hardware industry by developing its own chipset for smartphones primarily driven by AI.
A report from well-known supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that OpenAI will soon enter the hardware industry, positioning itself as a new rival to Apple and Google in chipset manufacturing (SoC: System on Chip).
OpenAI's main goal in producing its own chipset is to power AI-focused smartphones, partnering with semiconductor giants Qualcomm and MediaTek to assist in chipset manufacturing.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAI will finalize specifications and its supplier partnerships by late 2026 or early 2027, with mass production planned for 2028.
The key feature of OpenAI's chipset will not be general processing like typical market chips but will focus on fast, intelligent AI processing on the device itself, similar to Google's Tensor chipset approach. The ultimate goal is to shift smartphone usage from traditional app-based operation to AI Agent-driven experiences, delivering seamless AI interactions compared to competitor devices.
Beyond technological competition, developing its own chipset could lead OpenAI to adopt new business models, such as subscription systems for using AI Agents within OpenAI's ecosystem.