OpenAI is on track to unveil its first consumer hardware device in the second half of 2026, a move that marks the artificial intelligence pioneer’s formal entry into the competitive wearables market.
Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, confirmed the timeline during an Axios-hosted panel at the annual World Economic Forum this week. While Lehane described “devices” as a major attraction for the company in 2026, he cautioned that the latter half of the year is the “most likely” schedule for a debut, noting that official details remain scarce.
The upcoming product is the result of a high-profile collaboration between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive. The partnership was solidified last year when OpenAI acquired Ive’s startup, io Products, Inc., in a deal valued at approximately $6.5 billion.
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While OpenAI has not officially described the device, supply chain leaks and industry reports suggest the company is developing an AI-powered wearable codenamed “Sweetpea”. The gadget is rumored to be a screen-free, pocket-sized device or a pair of modules that sit behind the ear, similar to a hearing aid rather than traditional earbuds.
According to reports, the device may feature the following specifications and capabilities:
- Localized Processing: A custom 2-nanometer chip designed to handle complex AI tasks locally to reduce latency and improve privacy.
- Contextual Awareness: Sensors and ultrasonic transmitters intended to give the device environmental awareness.
- Voice Interface: A ChatGPT-powered assistant that could potentially execute smartphone-level actions through voice commands.
- Unique Design: A metallic, “egg-shaped” charging case housing two pill-shaped modules.
Altman has previously described the vision for OpenAI’s hardware as being more “peaceful and calm” than a traditional smartphone. Ive has echoed this sentiment, suggesting the tool is designed to be used “almost without thought”.
The company is reportedly aiming for a massive launch, with production targets set between 40 million and 50 million units in the first year. Manufacturing is expected to be handled by Foxconn.
Industry analysts suggest that by building its own hardware, OpenAI aims to bypass the current mobile operating system duopoly held by Apple and Google. This strategic shift would allow OpenAI to control the end-to-end user experience and provide direct access to its AI agents.
The “Sweetpea” wearable may be the first in a broader family of products. Internal documents and leaks indicate that OpenAI is also considering an AI-powered pen, codenamed “Gumdrop,” for future release.
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