OpenAI’s first consumer hardware device could be an AirPod replacement. Internally called “Sweetpea,” Jony Ive’s design team is apparently working on it on a priority basis.
The AI-powered earbuds may debut in September this year, with the company estimating shipments to reach 40-50 million units in the first year.
AI-powered earbuds?
In May 2025, OpenAI — the company behind ChatGPT — purchased Jony Ive’s design startup io. They announced the acquisition by teasing a mysterious device. Since then, several reports have detailed OpenAI’s plan to build AI companions.
Chinese leaker going by the name Smart Pikachu has now shared more details on OpenAI’s first consumer device. Apparently, it is a “special audio product to replace” AirPods. While OpenAI and io plan to release as many as five consumer-oriented devices by Q4 2028, Jony Ive’s team is giving the highest priority to “Sweetpea.”
The earbuds will seemingly feature a “unique, unseen before” device, with its shape resembling the shape of eggstone. There will supposedly be two pills within the eggstone, and they will rest behind the wearer’s ear.
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”
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
— 智慧皮卡丘 Smart Pikachu (Weibo) (@zhihuipikachu) January 12, 2026
As per the tipster, OpenAI plans to use a 2nm SoC, most likely an Exynos chip supplied by Samsung, to power the earbuds. A custom chip will allow the device to “replace iPhone actions by commanding Siri.”
The earbuds will not use bone conduction for sound output.
A high price tag
Considering the rumored hardware and functionality, the earbuds’ bill of materials could be surprisingly high, rivaling that of a smartphone rather than conventional earbuds.
Apple’s longtime manufacturing partner Foxconn will reportedly handle assembly for OpenAI’s earbuds. Having lost all AirPods production to Luxshare, Foxconn views this as an opportunity to re-enter the category.
Down the line, OpenAI is also considering launching a “home style device” and pen.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
