There are many generic AI apps and services out there, but ask most people what “AI” means to them, and they’ll likely say “ChatGPT.” As of this article, the chatbot remains the most downloaded free app on both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, beating out competitors like Cloud, Gemini, and Meta AI. But downloading a free AI program is one thing; It’s a whole other experience buying a phone built around that AI.
What will a ChatGPT phone look like?
on monday, Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo makes headlines By reporting that OpenAI can work on its smartphones. As part of this process, Kuo says OpenAI could collaborate with MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Luxshare—major players in various elements of smartphone manufacturing. MediaTek and Qualcomm will be responsible for manufacturing OpenAI’s smartphone chips, while Luxshare can help design and develop smartphones.
The report suggests that OpenAI may have a different take on the smartphone concept with this product. Unlike iPhones and Androids, which run largely on separate apps, OpenAI’s phone can rely on AI to complete the same tasks. Agent AI is very popular currently, so OpenAI’s goal will be to have its AI act and perform tasks on behalf of the user. Instead of a notation app, you might ask an AI to guide and store your thoughts until you need them again; Perhaps the “phone” app will be replaced by an AI that can connect you to the person you want to talk to; Even a traditional web browser can look like ChatGPT can retrieve the sites and information that interest you.
Replacing apps with agentic AI will require massive amounts of processing. Kuo believes OpenAI plans to develop two different types of models: one that runs on the device, perhaps to handle simple requests, and one that runs in the cloud, perhaps to handle more demanding tasks and functions. These models can work together to monitor the user at all times, and understand the user’s context when they issue new requests.
When will OpenAI launch its own phone?
According to Kuo, this is still early discussions. OpenAI may not finalize plans with these companies until the end of this year or the first quarter of 2027. As such, ChatGPT phones may not begin mass production until 2028. This doesn’t mean that OpenAI will wait for two years to unveil any products. The company has previously said it will announce a device later this year, perhaps the product Former Apple designer Jony Ive is developing for OpenAI. Rumors suggest This device may be an earbud Of course, this will work with ChatGPT.
While OpenAI has been open about its plans to develop actual devices in conjunction with its AI services, this report from Kuo is the first real indication that the company is working on an iPhone and Android competitor. From OpenAI’s perspective this might make sense: Right now, the majority of ChatGPT users are running these apps on their smartphones, so why not disrupt that market with a phone designed by the makers of ChatGPT? It also appears to be evidence that, despite the emphasis on smart glasses and micro wearables, OpenAI still sees smartphones as the definitive device for the foreseeable future.
What do you think so far?
However, as I see it, the issue is that the smartphone is fixed Because About its current systems and designs. People love their iPhones, and they love their Androids, not just because they can run ChatGPT, but because they can run all their other daily apps too. They are not buying phones Because ChatGPT’s: They’re installing ChatGPT on the device they’re already using. You wouldn’t convince someone who relies on iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple Maps to switch to a phone that revolves around ChatGPT, just like you wouldn’t convince a customer who uses Google Messages, Google Meet, or Google Maps — not to mention all the other apps and games they might use every day.
I don’t think we’ll be using iPhones and Androids until the end of time: Some? One that’s going to disrupt the status quo, and convince people to move on to the next big thing. I just seriously doubt this thing will be a “ChatGPT phone”.
Disclosure: Lifehacker’s parent company, Ziff Davis, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in the training and operation of its AI systems.
