OpenAI's upcoming AI smart speaker may carry a price tag between $300 and $400, according to a new Bloomberg report that also reveals fresh design details. The device, developed in partnership with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, is expected to hit the market in 2027. Bloomberg reports the gadget will be "donut-shaped," a notable departure from the cylindrical and puck-like forms that dominate today's smart speaker aisles.
The speaker is designed to be carried around the home and placed in different locations, such as a bedside table or a kitchen counter. Sources told Bloomberg that the device is constructed from "high-quality metal" and carries a "premium look." It also features distinct "moving parts," a detail that mystifies observers and hints at a more mechanical, interactive presence than typical voice assistants.
A Premium Price in a Crowded Market
At $300 to $400 per unit, the speaker would sit well above the typical range for Amazon smart speakers, which run from $40 on the low end to $240 on the high end. That gap suggests OpenAI is aiming for a higher-end niche rather than a mass-market play. The price could be slightly more expensive than the average smart speaker, and analysts note that the potentially high price point might not help the company's entry into a difficult market.
Historically, smart speakers have not always been profitable, and the market may prove hard to break into. Amazon and other players have long dominated the category with low-margin devices that often serve as gateways to broader ecosystems. OpenAI's hardware push, however, carries a different logic: releasing a smart home device would further integrate ChatGPT into users' lives, making the AI a constant presence beyond screens and keyboards.
ChatGPT's "Physical Manifestation"
Previously, the device was described as an AI-fueled smart speaker and the "physical manifestation" of ChatGPT. That framing suggests the speaker is not just another voice assistant but a deliberate effort to give the chatbot a tangible, always-available form. The partnership with LoveFrom, led by Ive, adds a design pedigree that could justify the premium price. Ive, best known for his work on the iPhone and other Apple products, brings a reputation for minimalist, high-end hardware aesthetics.
The new Bloomberg report, published on August 6, 2026, at 3:43 PM PDT, builds on earlier descriptions of the project. It does not specify a launch date beyond the 2027 window, nor does it confirm final pricing. OpenAI has not commented publicly on the report.
Legal Clouds Over the Launch
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The device's development comes amid legal tension between OpenAI and Apple. Apple is suing OpenAI for alleged trade secret theft, and OpenAI has denied wrongdoing. The lawsuit adds an unusual layer to a project led by Ive, who spent decades at Apple and helped define its design language. The case could complicate perceptions of the speaker, though no court ruling has been made public.
For now, the smart speaker remains a reported product, not a confirmed one. The $300 to $400 price range, the donut shape, and the moving parts all come from Bloomberg's sources, and OpenAI has not issued a statement. The company's hardware market entry has faced challenges before, and this device will need to clear both production and legal hurdles before it reaches shelves.
What a Donut-Shaped Speaker Means for Users
The design choices suggest a device meant to be seen, not hidden. A donut shape, with a hole in the center, could allow for unique acoustic placement or a display ring, though Bloomberg's report does not detail the internal layout. The moving parts remain unexplained, but they could enable directional sound, physical gestures, or a screen that tilts toward the user. None of these possibilities have been confirmed.
The premium metal construction and the LoveFrom partnership point to a product that competes on aesthetics as much as on AI capability. In a market where Amazon's cheapest speakers cost $40, a $300 to $400 device needs to offer something clearly different. Whether that difference is the AI itself, the design, or both, remains to be seen.
The Road to 2027
With a reported release in 2027, OpenAI has time to refine the device and resolve its legal disputes. The company has not announced a developer program, pricing tiers, or availability details beyond the Bloomberg report. The smart speaker is one of several hardware efforts from OpenAI, though none have reached the market yet.
For now, the donut-shaped speaker exists as a reported concept with a premium price and a famous designer attached. Whether it will succeed where other smart speakers have struggled is an open question. The $300 to $400 price point, the moving parts, and the ChatGPT integration all suggest a device that aims to be more than a voice assistant. But the market has seen ambitious hardware before, and profitability is never guaranteed.