OpenAI is preparing to enter the smart home market with a premium AI-powered speaker priced at between $300 and $400, according to new reports about the device.

The hardware has previously been described as the “physical manifestation” of ChatGPT, signalling ambitions well beyond the voice-activated cylinders that have become standard fixtures in living rooms over the past decade. New details point to a donut-shaped design, chosen specifically to make the unit portable enough to move between rooms, whether that is a kitchen counter, a bedside table, or anywhere else around the home.

The speaker will be constructed from high-quality metal with a premium finish and will feature moving parts, a detail that has not been elaborated on further by those familiar with the project. The reported price range would position it well above the existing competition; Amazon’s smart speaker lineup runs from roughly $40 at the entry level to around $240 at the top end.

The device is being developed in collaboration with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by Jony Ive, the designer behind many of Apple’s most celebrated products. A launch is expected at some point in 2027.

The strategic logic is reasonably clear. Embedding ChatGPT into a dedicated home device would deepen its presence in everyday life in ways that a smartphone app or browser tab cannot easily replicate. The smart speaker category has, however, proved a difficult one to make profitable, even for well-resourced technology companies and a relatively high entry price may limit early uptake.

The hardware push has also faced complications. OpenAI is currently the subject of a lawsuit from Apple, which has accused the company of misappropriating trade secrets in connection with the project. OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing and the matter remains ongoing.

Whether consumers will commit to a premium, AI-first home device at this price remains an open question, but OpenAI appears firmly set on building a presence beyond the screen.