The AI giant is betting that a screenless, camera-equipped speaker priced between $200 and $300 can take on Amazon, Apple, and Google in the smart home wars
OpenAI, the company that made its name convincing the world that chatbots could be genuinely useful, is now building something you can actually hold. Its first hardware product will be a smart speaker, a screenless device designed to function as what the company envisions as a humanlike AI companion.
The device is expected to integrate with ChatGPT, include a camera and various sensors for environmental awareness, and carry a price tag between $200 and $300. An unveiling is targeted for 2026, with a market launch planned for 2027.
From software darling to hardware maker #
OpenAI laid the groundwork for this move back in May 2025, when it acquired Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup io Products in a deal valued at approximately $6.4 billion.
Ive is the legendary designer behind the iPhone, the iMac, and basically every piece of Apple hardware that made people willing to stand in line for hours.
CEO Sam Altman reportedly described early prototypes of the device as “jaw-dropping” by late 2025.
The speaker itself is described as movable and screenless. The inclusion of a camera and sensors suggests the device will be able to perceive its surroundings, not just listen for wake words.
Manufacturing is expected to take place in either Vietnam or the US.
The Apple-shaped elephant in the room #
Around mid-July 2026, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging trade secret theft. The timing is notable, coming just as OpenAI’s hardware plans were becoming public knowledge.
OpenAI has maintained that its speaker does not infringe on any existing Apple products.
OpenAI is reportedly exploring hardware as a way to diversify revenue streams ahead of a possible IPO.
Entering a crowded, complicated market #
The $200 to $300 price point positions the device in the premium-but-accessible range. It’s cheaper than Apple’s HomePod but more expensive than a basic Echo Dot.
OpenAI reportedly aims to produce around five hardware products total as part of its broader expansion beyond software. The speaker appears to be just the opening act.
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