OpenAI is working on a smartphone in what appears to be a significant reversal from previous reports that the company had no plans to enter the phone market, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo . Kuo shared the findings from his latest supply chain checks in a post on X , saying MediaTek and Qualcomm are the chosen chip partners and Luxshare Precision Industry is the exclusive manufacturing partner, with mass production scheduled for 2028. Exact chip specifications and additional suppliers are expected to be finalized by late 2026 or the first quarter of 2027. Kuo argues that the smartphone remains uniquely positioned for AI agent use because it is the only device that captures a user's full real-time state, including location, activity, communication, and context, which he describes as the most important input for real-time AI agent inference. He claims that AI agents will fundamentally change how people interact with a phone, shifting the focus from launching individual apps to completing tasks through a more continuous, context-aware interface. He argues that fully controlling both the operating system and the hardware is the only way for the company to deliver a comprehensive AI agent service, and that a subscription-bundled business model could enable OpenAI to build a developer ecosystem around those agents. Kuo suggests that Luxshare, which has long sought to reduce its dependence on Apple supply chain work, could benefit substantially from an early position in what he frames as the next generation of smartphone hardware. The development represents a notable reversal in OpenAI's publicly stated hardware strategy. Previous reports have consistently described the company's hardware ambitions as centered on non-phone form factors developed in collaboration with Jony Ive , the former Apple design chief whose startup io Products was acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion. Those plans include a smart speaker , which is likely the first product to launch, along with smart glasses, a smart lamp, and potentially earbuds. OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane has said the first hardware announcement is expected in the second half of 2026, with launch around early 2027 . OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on X the same day Kuo published his analysis, writing that it "feels like a good time to seriously rethink how operating systems and user interfaces are designed." Such a device would obviously put OpenAI in direct competition with Apple's iPhone. Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo , OpenAI This article, " OpenAI Reportedly Working on an AI Smartphone to Rival iPhone " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
In this week's "Sunday Reboot," a changing of the guard, the DOJ becomes a tattling schoolchild, and the expensive Apple Vision Pro saves Disney money. John Ternus, the DOJ, and the Apple Vision Pro Sunday Reboot is a weekly column covering some of the lighter stories within the Apple reality distortion field from the past seven days. All to get the next week underway with a good first step. This week, Apple Music users aren't listening to AI-generated music that's now flooding the service, Apple won't benefit from the tariff refunds for months, and the company faces a $38 billion fine in India as part of an App Store antitrust investigation. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
Last night, my iPhone Air battery went to zero about 11 PM. I plugged in the USB-C charging cable within seconds of it shutting down, assuming it would immediately boot up again, like you expect. But it didn’t. Minutes passed and nothing happened. There was no low battery indicator visible on the screen; the display was just black. It was like the phone was dead. It turns out this is a thing . There are several threads online with posts from other iPhone owners describing the exact same issue, seemingly across all iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models … more…
While the iPhone Fold is nearing launch, the future of the often-rumored folding iPad is still in question, as it may never actually make it to consumer hands. What a large folding iPad could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsider The rumor mill has been infatuated by the idea of the folding iPhone , which is widely believed to be on the way later in 2026. However, Apple has also been working on another foldable device with less chance of becoming a reality. Writing in Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg , the foldable iPad is a real thing being developed behind closed doors. Described as a tablet with a super-sized 20-inch display, it has been a priority of incoming CEO John Ternus while in his hardware chief role. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
