OpenAI "Eats the Apple", Starting with the Supply Chain. The War of AI Breaking Away from Mobile Phones Has Begun

According to a disclosure by The Information, OpenAI has reached a cooperation agreement with Luxshare, the main assembler of Apple products, to build its first consumer - grade device. Meanwhile, it is in talks with Goertek about the supply of speaker modules.

This move marks OpenAI's transformation from a pure software company to the hardware field, relying on the supply - chain system that has helped Apple dominate the market. It also sends a clear message to all existing tech giants: manufacturing expertise can be leased.

01 OpenAI "Eating Apple"

OpenAI is also accelerating the poaching of talents from Apple's hardware team. In 2025, more than 24 Apple employees have joined, a significant increase from about 10 in 2024, covering areas such as user interfaces, wearables, camera systems, and audio technology.

This shows a clear development path for AI hardware: AI - native products will be launched from late 2026 to early 2027, including smart speakers, glasses, recording devices, and wearable pins.

Under the tight schedule, a key change occurred this week - commitments from top - tier hardware manufacturing suppliers: Luxshare is responsible for assembling iPhones and AirPods, and Goertek produces AirPods, HomePods, and Apple Watches.

If OpenAI locks in these two suppliers, it can quickly carry out prototype design, iteration, and mass production without building its own factories. This greatly reduces the risks.

This product vision is consistent with the earlier hints from Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI: a small, screen - less device with environmental awareness, resulting from the cooperation with Jony Ive's team.

It is reported that smart glasses may be launched later, and wearable pins and recording devices are also in the plan. Each product bets on the idea that environmental AI will surpass app - based AI.

02 Manufacturing Expertise Can Be Leased

OpenAI has transformed Apple's suppliers into partners. In the consumer electronics industry, it is normal for contract manufacturers to serve multiple brands, but it is unusual for a software company to enter the hardware field on an equal footing.

This sends a clear message to existing giants: manufacturing expertise can be leased.

For suppliers, the calculation is simple: diversify revenue sources and lay out for the next - generation product categories early. Although there are potential tensions, production capacity favors certainty, and so does profit. This is business logic, not betrayal.

Talent recruitment is not a random plunder but a targeted move. OpenAI has recruited senior experts in Apple Watch hardware and Siri interface design, who are the key to integrating industrial design, sensors, acoustics, and low - latency, hands - free AI user interfaces.

The motivation for employees to switch jobs is worth noting. Compared with Apple, OpenAI offers fewer bureaucratic obstacles, a faster decision - making cycle, and more attractive equity incentives. Apple's product rhythm tends to be incremental, and its stock price performance lags behind AI - related companies - both money and speed are speaking.

03 Real Risks for Apple

Apple has made slow progress in promoting the popularization of augmented reality (AR) glasses, and its performance in the headset market has been mixed. Now, a group of former Apple designers and engineers are building competitive devices centered on conversational AI rather than relying on apps. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to Apple.

The risks for Apple are real. Apple can limit the functions of third - party AI apps on iPhones, while OpenAI's response is to completely bypass mobile phones and launch dedicated hardware and accessories with computational awareness. Controlling the interaction interface means controlling the user experience, which is the core of its strategy.

Currently, AI relies on mobile phones and built - in voice assistants, which gives Apple and Google control over distribution, data access, and payment. Dedicated devices disrupt this pattern by presenting AI models themselves as products rather than apps.

Success will redefine the "default device". Real - time translation will be in your ear, summaries will be displayed on glasses, and speakers can recognize the speaker and the room. The winning interface will be "invisible" most of the time, and this is the key.

Everything is still in the pre - release stage. The schedule may be delayed, the cost of the bill of materials may soar, and the certification process may be prolonged. Privacy, child - safety regulations, and the risk of model "hallucinations" add complexity to the "always - listening" device form. Platform friction may persist, and Apple may limit iOS integration.

It is reported that Apple canceled an offline event in China due to concerns about employee losses caused by OpenAI's poaching, highlighting the current tense situation. Plans can change, and so can the supply chain.

Meta is vigorously promoting smart glasses, Amazon is also brewing related efforts, and startups are iterating on pin and pendant products. However, OpenAI has an advantage envied by its competitors: cultural influence and a large - scale model with a high number of daily active users. This reduces customer acquisition costs and raises market expectations.

Apple will not sit idle. It is expected to strengthen the integration of on - device models, launch accessories that make iPhones more environmentally aware, and continue to develop lightweight displays and input devices. The focus of the competition lies in the interaction interface, not the hardware specifications.

04 Conclusion: The Transfer of Platform Power

• The supply chain becomes a neutral track: Factories that build smartphones will accelerate the production of AI - first devices, shortening the time - to - market for software - driven challengers.
• AI breaks away from mobile phones, and platform power shifts: Whoever controls the daily AI interaction interface will dominate the rules of privacy, payment, and distribution.

This article is from the WeChat official account "Silicon - based Starlight", author: Shu Le. It is published by 36Kr with authorization.