Remember when OpenAI teased building something more “peaceful and calm” than a smartphone? Turns out that vision might’ve just gotten a lot simpler. Fresh rumors from Chinese sources suggest the company’s first hardware device won’t be some experimental pendant or smart pen. It’s going to be OpenAI AI earbuds.
According to a tipster on Weibo, OpenAI has scaled back its hardware ambitions because of rising manufacturing costs. The product, reportedly called “Dime,” could launch by the end of this year. That’s a pretty dramatic shift from earlier reports about phone-like devices or unconventional wearables. But it makes sense when you consider the current shortage of high-bandwidth memory driving up component prices across the industry.
The change in direction isn’t just about cost cutting, though. A patent filing spotted in China backs up the earbud theory, and OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane confirmed they’re working on their first hardware product for release in 2026. He didn’t specify what that product is, but the timing lines up with these latest leaks.
Why earbuds actually make sense
There’s a reason companies like Nothing and OnePlus started their hardware journeys with AI-powered earbuds. They’re familiar, relatively affordable to produce, and people already wear them all day. For OpenAI, it’s a way to get ChatGPT into people’s ears without asking them to adopt an entirely new device category.
The earbuds would reportedly run on OpenAI’s own AI models, letting you interact with the company’s tech without pulling out your phone. That’s the pitch, anyway. Details about specific features, battery life, or how they’d actually differentiate from existing products are still nonexistent. What we do know is this appears to be an audio-only version, with a more advanced device planned once component costs improve and memory shortages ease up.
So if you were hoping for that Jony Ive-designed AI masterpiece, you’ll be waiting a bit longer. For now, OpenAI’s taking the practical route.
