It"s been a few years since OpenAI took the tech world by storm with its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot, prompting giants like Google to develop their own versions. However, it"s about time that OpenAI remains limited to software-based offerings.
There have been reports that the AI giant has been working on its first lineup of AI-focused hardware products. New information from the Weibo-based leaker Smart Pikachu claims that OpenAI"s first device, internally known as "Sweatpea," is a "special audio product to replace" Apple AirPods.
OpenAI acquired Apple veteran Jony Ive"s design startup io back in May 2025 in a $6.5 billion all-stock deal. The deal was announced alongside a teaser for a mysterious AI device. Ive is reportedly involved in multiple AI device projects for OpenAI. One of them could be a palm-sized screenless device that is said to be running into "critical issues."
The leaker said that Ive"s team is working on "Sweatpea" as a priority. Its release date is expected in September 2026, with projected shipments of 40 to 50 million units in the first year.
Hearing fresh detail on Openai "To-go" hardware project from last report. Now confirmed it is a special audio product to replace Airpod, internal code name is "Sweetpea"
— 智慧皮卡丘 Smart Pikachu (Weibo) (@zhihuipikachu) January 12, 2026
On manufacturing, Foxconn has been told to prepare for total 5 devices by Q4 2028. All not known but a home… https://t.co/svOCBuyapI pic.twitter.com/SFumFfRIeF
Based on the available details (via Cult Of Mac), the main device, made of metal, will resemble the shape of an eggstone, and its hardware design is said to be "unique, unseen before." There will be two pills inside the eggstone, which will rest behind the ears.
Under the hood, Sweatpea is expected to fit a 2nm smartphone-style chip as the main processor, possibly Samsung"s Exynos. It will house a custom chip that allows the device to "replace iphone actions by commanding Siri."
While replying to a user"s comment on X, the leaker said that the OpenAI device doesn"t use bone conduction to produce sound. Moreover, the device"s complex nature could push the price tag higher, as its bill of materials (BOM) is expected to compete with that of smartphones.
So far, we have seen AI-first devices like Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin that haven"t made a big dent, given that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini are among the top dogs. It remains to be seen what OpenAI has in store for its first device.
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