OpenAI 'on track' to unveil AI hardware in late 2026; here's what to expect

If things go as planned, OpenAI's AI-native device is expected to make its debut in the second half of 2026 and probably hit stores in early 2027.

In May 2025, OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman and former Apple product design veteran Jony Ive teamed up to launch generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI)-centric hardware.

Later in July last year, Ive's io Products, Inc.'s engineering and design teams officially merged with OpenAI. Though the company will be deeply involved with OpenAI's device design, it will remain independent.

OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, in an interview with Axiom, has confirmed that the company is 'on track' to unveil its' first-ever AI device this year.

If things go as planned, it is expected to make its debut in the second half of 2026 and probably hit stores in early 2027.

As per numerous reports, the OpenAI device is expected to come in a compact form factor and will not feature any display as such. It is likely to be a smart wearable, similar to voice-centric Humane AI Pin.

Given the fact that the company is helmed by legendary designer Jony Ive, it is expected to be visually pleasing.

The upcoming AI-native device is touted to disrupt the consumer electronics segment just like ChatGPT did in the field of generative Artificial Intelligence.

For manufacturing the device, OpenAI is said to have signed a couple of Apple's supply partner Luxshare. And, it is also in talks with another partner, Goertek, which produces our AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches.

Though both companies are China-based, they are expected to produce OpenAI devices in their Vietnam-based plant to avoid getting dragged in to geo-political trade-war between the US and China.

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