Rumors surrounding OpenAI's hardware strategy continue to intensify. Following earlier reports suggesting potential smart headphones, prominent industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the company may be advancing an AI phone project, developing chips jointly with MediaTek and Qualcomm while involving Luxshare in co-design and manufacturing. Unlike traditional smartphones, this device could downplay the concept of "apps," instead relying on AI agents to complete tasks. Analysts suggest that the current app distribution ecosystem dominated by Apple and Google imposes certain limitations on system permissions and functionality, whereas building its own software-hardware stack would enable OpenAI to deeply integrate AI capabilities across more scenarios. This trend is also gaining industry consensus. For instance, Nothing CEO Carl Pei recently stated that apps might disappear in the future as users interact directly with intelligent systems. According to Kuo, the AI phone will feature "continuous understanding of user context" as its core capability, handling different tasks through a combination of small models at the edge and large cloud-based models. Additionally, the hardware form factor implies that OpenAI can access richer user behavior data than what is available at the application layer, thereby further optimizing services. Regarding timelines, relevant specifications and supply chain arrangements are expected to be finalized between late 2026 and early 2027, with mass production potentially beginning no sooner than 2028. Previously, Chris Lehane, Head of Global Affairs at OpenAI, indicated that the company hopes to launch its first hardware product in the second half of 2026, which many believe will likely take the lighter form of smart headphones. To date, OpenAI has yet to issue official comments regarding these rumors, though its path toward hardware development is gradually becoming clearer.