OpenAI will unveil its first-ever consumer hardware device in the second half of 2026, confirmed Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The announcement marks the clearest timeline yet for the secretive project led by CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
The hardware initiative accelerated after OpenAI acquired Ive's startup io Products in May 2025 for approximately $6.5 billion. Ive, who designed iconic Apple products including the iPhone, iPod, and Apple Watch, has developed a prototype for a "screenless" device focused on ambient intelligence and reducing digital noise.
Altman described the forthcoming device as more "peaceful" than a smartphone and "shockingly simple," positioning it as a potential "third core device" alongside laptops and phones. Early reports suggest it could be worn behind the ear, with an audio-first approach aimed at less addictive computing experiences. Five devices total are planned through Q4 2028.