OpenAI is planning to ship its first consumer hardware device in 2026. This would be a major change for the company because OpenAI is mainly known for software products like ChatGPT and other AI tools, not physical products.
Reports and public remarks suggest the launch is being targeted for the second half of 2026, although OpenAI has not yet released official product images, a final name, or full technical specifications.
What OpenAI Has Confirmed
OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, said the company is “on track” to unveil its first device in the second half of 2026. He made this statement during an event connected to Axios House in Davos, where several global technology and policy discussions take place during the World Economic Forum period.
OpenAI has not officially confirmed what the device will be called, what it will look like, or what features it will include, but it has clearly indicated that a first product is being prepared for 2026.
Who is Designing the Device
The device is being developed with the involvement of Jony Ive, the famous designer who previously played a major role in shaping Apple’s product designs. According to reports, OpenAI’s hardware efforts gained stronger momentum after CEO Sam Altman acquired Ive’s startup, called “io,” in 2025.
Reporting also says that more former Apple designers have been joining the project, which adds weight to the idea that OpenAI wants the hardware to be designed like a premium consumer product instead of a simple experimental gadget.
What the Device Might Be
OpenAI has not officially confirmed what type of device it is building, but multiple reports suggest that its first product could be earbuds. The idea of earbuds is closely linked to how AI is increasingly being used through voice, making it possible for people to interact with ChatGPT-style assistants without having to use a screen.
Other reporting suggests the product could be a small wearable device designed to make AI use feel more natural and constant throughout the day, but these details remain unconfirmed because OpenAI has not announced the final design publicly.
Possible Codename: “Sweet Pea”
Some reports claim the OpenAI device may have an internal codename, “Sweet Pea” or “Sweetpea.” This codename has not been officially confirmed by OpenAI as a final product name or branding, but it has appeared in coverage discussing the company’s early hardware planning. Because OpenAI has not directly verified this codename, it should be treated as reporting rather than a confirmed fact.
Why this Matters
OpenAI’s move into hardware matters because it could change how people use AI in daily life. Instead of treating AI as something accessed only through a phone app or computer website, OpenAI appears to be aiming for a product that keeps AI close to the user at all times.
The hardware market has already seen several AI-focused devices that struggled to impress consumers, so OpenAI’s first attempt will likely face high expectations and heavy attention from the tech industry.
If OpenAI successfully ships a well-designed product in 2026, it could push the next stage of AI forward by making AI assistants easier and faster to access in normal everyday situations.
What Happens Next
OpenAI is expected to reveal more information closer to the launch window, but at this stage, the clearest confirmed detail is the company’s goal to unveil and ship its first device in the second half of 2026.
The involvement of Jony Ive strongly suggests that OpenAI is taking design seriously, and the reports about earbuds or wearable-like hardware suggest OpenAI may focus on voice-based AI use.
Until OpenAI shares official details, the exact form, features, and pricing of the device remain uncertain, but the timeline of 2026 and the direction toward a first consumer AI gadget are now clearly part of OpenAI’s public plans.
