OpenAI Partners with Qualcomm and MediaTek for AI Agent Smartphone by 2028

Key Facts

1OpenAI is reportedly collaborating with Qualcomm and MediaTek to develop an AI agent smartphone that replaces app-based interactions.

2The project, codenamed 'Gumdrop', targets a launch around 2026-2027 with a full app-free experience by 2028.

3Foxconn is expected to be involved in the manufacturing of the new AI-driven hardware.

OpenAI is reportedly making a strategic push into hardware by developing a proprietary smartphone centered on AI agents rather than traditional applications. The company is collaborating with chipmaking giants Qualcomm and MediaTek to build the necessary infrastructure for this shift. Codenamed 'Gumdrop', the project targets an initial launch between 2026 and 2027, aiming for a fully app-free user experience by 2028. Manufacturing for the new device is expected to be handled by Foxconn, marking a significant step toward vertical integration. This move represents a direct challenge to the current smartphone ecosystem dominated by Apple and Google. While the project signals a massive shift in consumer technology, its long-term roadmap suggests a gradual impact on the broader market.