SpaceX is reportedly testing a handheld AI device, according to a Wall Street Journal article. The device purportedly provides access to xAI’s models without the need for a smartphone. SpaceX demoed the device to investors ahead of its initial public offering.
The handheld AI device is said to be slimmer than an iPhone and powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. It reportedly runs on a proprietary operating system and integrates with xAI services, including the AI assistant Grok. However, the exact purpose of the device and whether SpaceX plans to sell it remains unclear.
Grok is currently accessible through multiple platforms, leading to revenue-sharing agreements with companies like Apple. While providing AI services on another company’s platform can generate revenue, it can involve significant drawbacks, prompting companies to pursue their own hardware solutions. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has previously expressed skepticism about creating a mobile device.
In July 2025, SpaceX partnered with T-Mobile to enable Starlink access on smartphones. This partnership may influence the development of the handheld AI device, allowing SpaceX to explore a similar approach for AI hardware. Following the Wall Street Journal report, Musk tweeted that the claim regarding the AI device is “utterly false.”
Despite the initial excitement, Musk’s past comments suggest caution regarding new product announcements tied to him or SpaceX. Products associated with Musk may be speculative rather than substantive.
