According to analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo, cited by MacRumors, OpenAI is working at an accelerated pace on its first smartphone and the device could be ready for mass production as early as the beginning of 2027. The report indicates active development, but there is no official confirmation yet on a launch date or pricing.
Customized MediaTek chipset and enhanced image processing
Kuo says the phone will use a "customized variant" of the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 chipset. The Dimensity 9600 is expected to be announced by MediaTek this autumn and is described as the successor to the Dimensity 9500, which is used in devices such as the Vivo X300 Pro.
The analyst highlighted that the modified chipset used by OpenAI may feature a differentiated image signal processor (ISP). That ISP reportedly offers "improved HDR" capabilities, which could enhance real‑world image sensing — a potentially important advantage for computer vision and camera‑based AI tasks.
Memory, storage and dual NPU architecture
Available details indicate the OpenAI phone could include LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage. The device is also said to employ a "dual NPU architecture," enabling it to run different artificial intelligence tasks simultaneously. Such an approach could improve the speed and energy efficiency of on‑device AI operations.
Ambitious sales targets: nearly 30 million units across two years
Kuo also reported that OpenAI has set ambitious sales goals: the source says ChatGPT's developer expects to sell nearly 30 million phones in total across 2027 and 2028. The Verge notes that this volume is comparable to the number of units a typical flagship model from a major manufacturer might sell.
What remains unknown
These details are based on analyst reporting and lack official confirmation from OpenAI. Final technical specifics — such as the exact chipset modifications, the completed hardware configuration and pricing strategy — will only be clear once the company or its partners release more information. Following further announcements will be important for industry observers and consumers, as an AI‑centric smartphone could have a notable impact on the mobile market.
(The article's lead image is illustrative.)
