OpenAI is entering the mobile device space: MediaTek and Qualcomm are developing a chip, while assembly will be handled by Chinese manufacturer Luxshare

OpenAI enters the mobile processor market

OpenAI announced a partnership with two leading smartphone chip makers—MediaTek and Qualcomm—to create its own CPU for a future AI smartphone. Mass production is expected to begin in 2028. In developing the chip, the focus will be on energy efficiency, memory management, and the ability to run compact AI models directly on the device.

What has already happened
- Partnership with Broadcom

Last year OpenAI signed an agreement to develop its own AI chips for next‑generation computing clusters.

- New step—mobile CPUs

According to analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, the company now plans to enter the mobile processor market and immediately collaborate with two largest chipset suppliers.

Technical details
ParameterDescriptionLaunch year2028 (mass production)Specification disclosure deadlineEnd 2026 – start 2027Focus on AI acceleratorLike Google Pixel, priority is given to a specialized accelerator rather than general compute power.Support for third‑party modelsIf the device uses only OpenAI’s own models, performance issues will not arise. When supporting external AI models, a balance between CPU and GPU must be maintained.Contextual readingThe chip must constantly process user data, so an advanced active sensor system is required. Qualcomm has already implemented a similar function in its Sensing Hub.

Assembly partners
Chinese company Luxshare (a competitor of Foxconn) will be the exclusive partner for design and assembly of the device.

Thus, OpenAI plans to launch a smartphone with its own AI processor, focusing on energy efficiency, memory management, and local model execution. Final technical specifications will appear within the next two years, and mass production will start in 2028.