Highlights to Anticipate at CES 2026
The biggest tech event of the year is just around the corner, as top industry players gather in Las Vegas for CES 2026. We’ll be on the ground to check out all the latest product demos and bring you the most thrilling updates from the show. Get ready for a sneak peek at the innovative tech these companies are gearing up to launch in 2026.
Expect to see familiar categories like laptops, smart home devices, TVs, and an exciting array of wearables and health tech. We’re also looking forward to more products featuring AI integration, and who knows, maybe even some humanoid robots.
CES 2026 officially kicks off on Tuesday, January 6th, but keep an eye out for news and announcements starting Sunday, ahead of the show floor opening, which will also feature numerous press conferences. Here’s what we’re anticipating at the event.
Laptops are always a highlight at CES, with most major brands — except for Apple — unveiling new models. These can range from minor spec upgrades to entirely new designs, along with the occasional concept that may or may not see the light of day. This year, we expect to see laptops powered by three new chips: Intel’s Panther Lake, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2, and AMD’s rumored “Gorgon Point” processors. Both Intel and Qualcomm are promoting the efficiency of their new chips while boasting about their graphics capabilities, which often sound too good to be true. However, current offerings show battery life ranging from good to excellent, and AMD has demonstrated impressive integrated graphics with Strix Halo. I’m eager to see how this evolves, especially in a year without new Nvidia GPUs, although Nvidia might have some surprises in store.
Regardless of how the chip competition unfolds, I hope to see more innovative laptop designs. Bring on the rollables, dual-screens, foldables, and any other creative uses of screen space that can be imagined. Let’s hope the most radical concepts make it past the prototype phase.
As for smart home tech, get ready for a robot invasion! CES 2026 will showcase everything from advanced vacuums and lawn mowers to humanoid robots with enhanced intelligence. While we may not have humanoids doing our laundry just yet, the concept of robotic helpers is becoming more mainstream, thanks to significant advancements in computer vision.
AI is also transforming security cameras, moving them beyond simple surveillance to play a crucial role in home automation. Expect new features that leverage deeper intelligence for better context. The integration of cameras into the Matter standard is a positive step forward, and I hope to see more companies announce support for it, despite some platforms lagging behind.
Smart locks are another hot trend. While I mentioned this last year and was spot on, delays with the Aliro standard slowed things down. Still, smart locks remain a key entry point into the smart home ecosystem. Look for a variety of palm, facial, and UWB-based unlocking options, along with improved designs, as tech companies recognize that not everyone wants futuristic hardware on their front doors.
For gamers, CES 2025 was a standout year with new flagship Nvidia graphics cards, SteamOS handhelds, and high-refresh-rate 4K OLED displays. However, 2026 might not deliver the same excitement. Nvidia’s RTX 50 Super seems delayed, Intel’s latest desktop GPU tease is questionable, and AMD isn’t expected to showcase new gaming GPUs. Razer, known for its flashy presence, won’t have a booth for the second consecutive year, and the gaming section of the Las Vegas Convention Center appears to be more focused on video glasses than gaming hardware.
Lenovo is set to unveil a rollable gaming laptop and a SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 handheld, and I’m curious about the performance of integrated graphics in Intel’s and Qualcomm’s latest laptop chips, especially in handheld devices. Plus, Lego is making a return to CES after several years.
When it comes to TVs, CES 2026 is poised to be a game-changer. Following last year’s introduction of RGB Mini LED TVs, we can expect every major manufacturer to showcase their own versions. Samsung and LG have already announced plans for smaller sizes, with Samsung offering Micro RGB LED TVs ranging from 55 to 100 inches, and LG debuting its first Micro RGB evo TVs in sizes of 75, 86, and 100 inches.
TCL has also teased new RGB LED TVs for the Chinese market, and we anticipate similar announcements for the US and Europe at CES. I hope Hisense expands its UX line to include smaller screen sizes. While Sony has been quiet on the TV front for a while, I don’t expect that to change in 2026.
The big question remains: when will these TVs hit the market, and at what price? Last year, the 115-inch Samsung Micro RGB LED TV and 116-inch Hisense RGB Mini LED were priced around $30,000, with a 100-inch Hisense model announced for $19,999. With technological advancements in RGB LED and increased competition, we hope to see prices become more accessible.
As for smartphones, CES isn’t the place for standard devices. Instead, we’re on the lookout for the most unique offerings, particularly the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold. Samsung typically saves its phone reveals for later in January, but this year could be different with the Trifold’s recent launch in Korea. CES would be a fitting stage for its global debut, and I’m excited about the possibilities of a phone with two hinges.
Will it be over the top? Absolutely. Will it come with a hefty price tag? You bet. But imagine the versatility of a device that functions as both a phone and a 10-inch tablet. This could be the phone that allows me to leave my laptop behind. I’m ready for the first time I fold this phone and then fold it again. I think it’s a safe bet we’ll see this double-folding marvel at CES, perfectly timed to kick off the Year of the Folding Phone.
In the realm of wearables and health tech, the focus has shifted from fitness trackers to XR and AI devices, particularly smart glasses. These were a significant presence at CES 2025, and I expect that trend to continue. While the market is currently dominated by lightweight AI glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta, CES will likely showcase a wider variety, including smart glasses that blur the line with headsets and innovative display integration.
On the health side, look for products emphasizing “longevity,” aimed at helping users live longer or prevent chronic diseases. This could involve monitoring bodily fluids like blood and urine to gain insights into hormonal and metabolic health. We’ve already seen this trend from companies like Whoop, Oura, and Withings, and I anticipate more experimental approaches from smaller brands at the show.
