OpenAI's first hardware isn't a phone, it's designed for Codex

OpenAI has offered the first look at its upcoming hardware product, but it is not the AI companion device that has been the subject of months of speculation. Instead, the company is preparing to launch Codex Micro, a compact input device created for its AI coding tool, Codex.The company has scheduled the launch for July 15 and has begun teasing the device on X with the message, "Your favorite Codex shortcuts are getting an upgrade." The teaser shows a square-shaped controller featuring multiple buttons but does not reveal its complete functionality.Built with Work LouderCodex Micro has been developed in partnership with Work Louder, a company known for programmable mechanical keyboards and macro pads designed for developers and creative professionals.The device was also showcased during the AI Engineer World's Fair in San Francisco. According to The Verge, OpenAI spokesperson Dominik Kundel described Codex Micro as a keyboard "designed to supercharge people's Codex usage."Although OpenAI has not disclosed the complete specifications, the hardware appears similar to Work Louder's Creator Micro 2, which features mechanical switches, a joystick and touch-sensitive controls that can be mapped to application-specific shortcuts. The Codex version is expected to include programmable controls tailored for AI-assisted coding workflows.Work Louder has previously collaborated with companies including Figma on customised macro pads with preconfigured shortcuts, suggesting a similar approach for the Codex-branded device.Also Read: Inside GPT-5.6: What OpenAI's newest AI models Sol, Terra and Luna bring to the tableLaunch details remain limitedOpenAI has not announced pricing, supported platforms or market availability for Codex Micro.However, Work Louder's Creator Micro 2 currently sells for $199 in the US, offering an indication of the price range for comparable hardware. The company is expected to reveal further details when the product launches on July 15.Separate from Jony Ive hardware projectThe Codex Micro is unrelated to OpenAI's larger hardware initiative with former Apple design chief Jony Ive.That project remains on track for the second half of 2026. Earlier this year, OpenAI Policy Chief Chris Lehane said the company's first major consumer hardware product was progressing towards that timeline.Reports have suggested the upcoming device could take the form of a compact, screenless AI companion centred on voice interactions rather than a traditional display. For now, OpenAI's immediate hardware focus remains on developers with the launch of Codex Micro.