OpenAI’s upcoming smart speaker, expected in 2027, features an unconventional design, AI-driven functionalities, and a premium price, signalling a new direction in AI-first home hardware.
OpenAI’s first consumer device is shaping up as a compact smart speaker with an unusual industrial design and a premium price tag. According to Bloomberg reporting cited by Phonandroid, the device is expected to arrive in 2027 and is being positioned as a personal assistant that can adapt to its owner’s habits through daily use. That places it squarely in the emerging market for AI-first home hardware rather than conventional voice assistants.
The clearest details so far point to a small, screen-free unit with a ring-like form. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has described it as resembling a doughnut, while the French report says its footprint may be close to a hockey puck. The device is also said to include moving parts intended to give it a more lifelike feel during interaction, suggesting OpenAI wants the product to feel less static than existing smart speakers.
The pricing rumours are consistent across several reports, though not identical. MacRumors, 9to5Google and Winbuzzer all say OpenAI is targeting a range of roughly $200 to $300, while Phonandroid translates that into about €260 to €350 before tax. That would make it more expensive than most entry-level speakers, and closer to premium audio products such as Apple’s HomePod, even if it remains below some high-end consumer devices.
The reported feature set helps explain the cost. MacRumors and 9to5Google say the speaker is being developed with former Apple designer Jony Ive and will include a camera, object recognition and facial recognition for purchase authorisation. Winbuzzer says it may listen continuously without a wake word and that more than 200 employees are involved in the project. TechBriefly adds that OpenAI is also exploring other AI devices, including smart glasses and a smart lamp, with the glasses expected no earlier than 2028. Taken together, the reports suggest OpenAI is not just building a speaker, but laying the groundwork for a broader hardware strategy.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
