Samsung Electronics appears to be on the verge of landing a high-profile semiconductor win, with its Exynos application processor expected to power OpenAI’s upcoming artificial intelligence wearable device. If finalized, the deal would extend Samsung’s chip business beyond smartphones and smartwatches into the fast-emerging AI wearables market, while deepening ties with one of the world’s most influential AI companies.
Industry sources familiar with the discussions say Samsung is in advanced talks to supply an Exynos processor fabricated using its 2-nanometer-class manufacturing technology for OpenAI’s first hardware product. The device, reportedly an earbud-style wearable internally referred to as “Sweetpea,” is designed to function as a standalone AI assistant rather than a conventional wireless accessory.
From Smartphones to AI Wearables
Recent reports from global tech outlets suggest Samsung’s Exynos chip is the leading candidate for the project, with speculation that OpenAI’s device aims to offer hands-free, voice-driven interactions that could reduce reliance on smartphones. While neither Samsung nor OpenAI has confirmed the partnership, both companies have declined to deny the reports, citing confidentiality around client relationships.
Analysts note that collaboration between the two firms appears to have accelerated after Jonathan Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, joined OpenAI to help shape its hardware ambitions. His involvement has fueled expectations that OpenAI’s debut device will prioritize both performance and design innovation.
A Technical Challenge in a Small Form Factor
Unlike traditional earbuds that depend on a connected phone for processing power, OpenAI’s device is expected to operate independently. That requirement dramatically raises the technical bar, as it demands a processor capable of handling complex AI workloads, voice recognition and sensor data within a compact, low-power form factor.
High-performance application processors typically generate significant heat and consume large amounts of energy, making them difficult to deploy in small wearables. Samsung has positioned its latest Exynos designs to address those limitations. The Exynos 2600, for example, uses a 2-nanometer-class gate-all-around (GAA) transistor architecture, which the company says delivers major gains in energy efficiency and thermal management compared to earlier generations.
Multiple Chip Paths Still Possible
It remains unclear which specific Exynos platform would be used if the deal moves forward. One option is a modified version of the smartphone-oriented Exynos 2600, which offers the raw performance needed for advanced AI processing. Another possibility is an evolved version of Samsung’s Exynos W series, which already powers Galaxy Watch devices and is optimized for always-on operation, sensor management and low-power efficiency.
The most recent Exynos W1000, built on a 3-nanometer GAA process, demonstrates Samsung’s growing expertise in wearable-focused processors — a capability that could prove crucial for an AI-first earbud.
Strategic Impact for Samsung
Securing OpenAI as a major client could have significant implications for Samsung’s semiconductor business. Industry estimates suggest the AI wearable could ship between 40 million and 50 million units in its first year, making it one of the largest launches of a new consumer AI device to date.
For Samsung, supplying the core processor would not only showcase the competitiveness of Exynos outside the smartphone market but also provide a potential boost to its System LSI and Foundry divisions, which have faced financial pressure in recent years.
As AI moves beyond screens and into always-available personal devices, Samsung’s potential role in powering OpenAI’s first hardware offering could mark a turning point — both for the Exynos brand and for the broader AI wearable ecosystem.