Internally codenamed “Sweetpea” or “Gumdrop,” the device is being positioned not as a smartphone killer, but as a “third core device” that complements your phone and laptop. OpenAI’s goal is to ship 100 million units faster than any hardware product in history.
The Design Philosophy: “Shockingly Simple”
With Jony Ive at the helm, the device is expected to prioritize “ambient interaction” over screen time.
- Screen-Free Interface: Most reports indicate the device will have no display. It will rely entirely on voice commands and contextual awareness.
- Compact Form Factor: Prototypes are rumored to be as small and elegant as an iPod Shuffle, weighing roughly 10–15 grams. It may take the form of a wearable pod, a clip-on, or a high-end “AI Pen.”
- The “Cabin” Feel: Sam Altman has described the user experience as feeling like a “peaceful cabin by a lake”—designed to be less intrusive than the constant notifications of a smartphone.
Technical Specifications (Rumored)
While official specs are under wraps, supply chain leaks provide a glimpse into the “brain” of the device:
- Processor: Expected to use Samsung’s 2nm Exynos chip for on-device processing, paired with OpenAI’s own “Titan” ASIC for cloud-based AI tasks.
- Sensors: Integrated microphones and cameras to “see” and “hear” the world, providing the AI with environmental context to answer questions like, “What kind of plant am I looking at?”
- Connectivity: Seamless synchronization with ChatGPT and the ability to convert handwritten notes into digital text instantly.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
OpenAI has reportedly moved away from initial plans to use Chinese manufacturers, opting for a more diversified supply chain to avoid geopolitical friction.
- Exclusive Partner: Foxconn has been selected as the primary manufacturer.
- Production Sites: Assembly is expected to take place in Vietnam or the United States.
- Launch Volume: OpenAI is targeting an ambitious 40 million to 50 million units in the first year of sales.
The Competition: A Crowded 2026 AI Wearable Market
OpenAI enters a market that has seen both high hype and high failure rates (e.g., Humane AI Pin, Rabbit R1).
| Feature | OpenAI “Sweetpea” | Humane AI Pin | Apple Intelligence (Siri) |
| Launch Date | Late 2026 (Reveal) | April 2024 | Ongoing (Software-led) |
| Design Lead | Jony Ive | Imran Chaudhri | Apple Design Team |
| Primary Interaction | Voice & Context | Voice & Laser Projection | Screen & Voice |
| Philosophy | Complementary Device | Phone Replacement | Integrated Feature |
Conclusion: Beyond the Screen
The 2026 launch of OpenAI’s first gadget represents a “post-smartphone” vision. By hiring high-profile Apple veterans like Janum Trivedi (who built the iPad’s multitasking features), OpenAI is signaling that this isn’t just a toy, but a new computing category. As Chris Lehane noted in Davos, 2026 is the year of “practical adoption,” and nothing makes AI more practical than moving it from a browser tab into a device that sits in your pocket.
