OpenAI is chomping at the proverbial bit to bring its first consumer AI device, bearing the internal codename Sweetpea, to the market by the second half of 2026. However, the device is now expected to chronically underdeliver on its promised potential, if the latest tidbit from a source pans out.
OpenAI's Sweetpea, which will reportedly go on sale under the consumer name Dime, is already falling victim to the ongoing memory crisis
While speaking at the Axios House Davos event of this year's World Economic Forum, OpenAI's Lehane chose to disclose that the startup's first consumer AI device constituted one of its highest priorities, and that it was working to launch the device in the second half of 2026.
Then, Taiwan's Economic Daily added color to this picture by noting that OpenAI was likely to launch the device in September 2026, and was targeting a sales volume of between 40 million and 50 million units in the first year. The publication also added that the device was likely to be manufactured by Foxconn in Vietnam.
Of course, we already know from a slew of recent reports that OpenAI is apparently working on dedicated AI-powered earbuds that bear the internal codename "Sweetpea." The device would rely heavily on cloud-based AI processing, while featuring a 2nm Samsung Exynos chip for some on-device processing.
Now, however, the well-known tipster Smart Pikachu has come out with a scoop, noting that as per a recent patent filed by OpenAI, the upcoming earbuds would be sold under the consumer name Dime.
Critically, the tipster believes that Dime's first iteration would consist of a "simple headphone," and that the earbuds with "phone-like" computing power have now been delayed. According to the tipster, the ongoing memory price hikes have rendered the Bill of Materials (BOM) for the device's 2nm chip quite pricey, which then played an important role in changing OpenAI's overarching calculus for the device.
Of course, OpenAI is also working on another consumer device that is reportedly shaped like a pen and sports a size similar to that of the Apple iPod Shuffle. The device bears the internal codename "Gumdrop," and is entirely bereft of a dedicated screen. Additional details include:
- Contextual awareness via a suite of sensors, including cameras and microphones.
- The device will be able to run OpenAI's tailored AI models locally, with cloud computational support available for more compute-intensive tasks.
- It will be able to convert handwritten notes into text and instantly upload them to ChatGPT.
- The device will be able to communicate with its peers, akin to what we currently do with smartphones.
- It won't bear the form factor of a wearable, but may be carried in the pocket or worn around the neck.
- Expected to launch in 2026 or 2027.
However, judging from the underwhelming nature of Dime's first iteration, we would not be surprised if "Gumdrop" also experiences a significant delay.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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