The world’s largest consumer electronics show, CES 2026, has officially kicked off in Las Vegas, showcasing groundbreaking AI innovations, advanced display technologies, and a plethora of future tech designed to redefine daily life. As the Las Vegas tech event unfolds, experts from CNET, TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, and other leading publications are on the ground, delivering live updates and deep dives into the most exciting reveals. From intelligent home robots to revolutionary health monitors and next-generation laptops, CES 2026 is setting the stage for the technological advancements of the coming years. Prepare for an immersive journey into the cutting edge of consumer electronics.
The Pervasive Power of AI: Unlocking New Possibilities at CES 2026
Artificial intelligence stands as the undisputed star of CES 2026, woven into nearly every product category. From enhancing smart home devices to revolutionizing personal productivity tools, AI is transforming how we interact with technology. Industry analysts, including TechRadar’s Lance Ulanoff, summarized the overarching theme as “AI, AI, and more AI,” signaling a truly pivotal moment for the technology.
Smart Home & Robotics: Beyond the Vacuum Cleaner
The dream of a fully automated home takes a significant leap forward with new AI-powered robotics. LG’s highly anticipated CLOiD home robot promises a “Zero Labor Home” experience. Unlike single-purpose devices, CLOiD utilizes advanced AI to perform complex household tasks, such as folding laundry, operating ovens, and emptying dishwashers with its articulated arms. This breakthrough could redefine home automation, moving beyond mere convenience to genuine assistance.
Other smart home innovations include the Zeroth W1 companion robot, offering 360-degree home security and outdoor following capabilities, and Govee’s new smart ceiling lights, including the Sky Ceiling Light that mimics daylight, powered by AI Lighting Bot 2.0. Samsung is also enhancing its Family Hub smart fridges with new, hands-free voice-activated door opening. Mammotion’s Luba 3 AWD robotic lawnmower now integrates lidar for real-time 3D yard mapping, showcasing AI’s impact on outdoor maintenance.
AI in Wearables and Productivity
AI is also making personal productivity smarter and more seamless. The Plaud NotePin S, a wearable AI note-taking pin, records and highlights conversation moments with a few button presses, offering AI transcription capabilities. CNET Principal Writer Katie Collins is testing this device, highlighting its potential as a journalist’s secret weapon. Expanding on this, Plaud Desktop offers free software for subscribers, automatically recording and summarizing meetings from various video conferencing apps.
SwitchBot’s AI MindClip records daily life and meetings, generating AI-powered summaries. The Fraimic Smart Canvas, an E-Ink screen, creates AI-generated art from voice commands, demonstrating how AI can fuel creativity and daily utility.
Future of Sight: Unveiling Next-Gen Display Technology
Televisions consistently capture attention at CES, and CES 2026 is no exception. This year marks a “game-changing moment for TVs,” with significant advancements in display technology, particularly in Micro RGB and OLED panels. Major players like Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense are all pushing boundaries.
Micro RGB and OLED: The New TV Battleground
Samsung unveiled its impressive 130-inch Micro RGB TV concept, surpassing previous models. This technology, along with updated OLED TVs featuring increased brightness and glare-free capabilities, positions Samsung at the forefront. LG countered with its next-generation OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV, a completely wireless, 9mm thick marvel. This display boasts new Hyper Radiant Color Technology for the brightest OLED performance yet, improved black levels, and reduced reflections, all powered by the Alpha 11 AI Processor Gen 3. LG also joined the Micro RGB TV space with its “Micro RGB evo TV,” aiming for perfect color reproduction. The widespread adoption of Micro RGB by multiple manufacturers signals a major industry shift towards this advanced display tech, promising brighter, more color-accurate, and energy-efficient viewing experiences.
Immersive Experiences and Gaming Displays
Beyond traditional televisions, CES 2026 showcased immersive display solutions. Samsung created an immersive tunnel experience at The Wynn, using speakers and numerous projectors to immerse visitors in color, generating significant buzz. For gamers, LG Display and Samsung Display are launching new OLED gaming monitors with vertical RGB subpixel stripes, promising clearer images and easier-to-read text, addressing past “Pentile OLED” concerns. Specific models from Asus and MSI will leverage this “Stripe RGB” technology, delivering a superior visual experience for competitive gaming.
Redefining Connectivity: Mobile & Computing Innovations
Mobile technology and computing continue to evolve rapidly, with CES 2026 highlighting a “CPU war” that analysts predict will make this “the year of the laptop.” Alongside powerful new processors, unique mobile accessories and innovative form factors are making waves.
The “Year of the Laptop” with Next-Gen Processors
New processors from Qualcomm (Snapdragon X2 Elite), AMD (Ryzen AI 400 series and AI Max series), and Intel (Core Ultra Series 3) are set to revolutionize laptop performance. These chips promise significant leaps in power efficiency and integrated graphics, potentially enabling thin, light notebooks to handle competitive PC gaming without dedicated GPUs. OLED displays are becoming standard, with a strong emphasis on extended battery life. Major manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung are poised to unveil a new generation of AI-forward, high-performance laptops.
Retro Charm Meets Modern Mobile Utility
In a nod to nostalgia, Clicks Technology introduced the Clicks Communicator, a standalone device reminiscent of classic BlackBerry phones. This handheld gadget, with its physical keyboard and rectangular screen, connects wirelessly to smartphones, aiming to provide a less distracting experience – “Doing, not doomscrolling.” Priced at $499, it even includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. Clicks also released the Power Keyboard, a $79 MagSafe/Qi2 compatible magnetic attachment that adds a tactile keyboard to any smartphone, usable in both vertical and landscape orientations.
Samsung also teased the Z TriFold, a multi-hinge foldable device that transforms into a tablet, hinting at more complex foldable designs for future smartphones. Honor showcased a “Robot Phone” prototype with a fold-out gimbal camera, signaling new possibilities for mobile photography.
Wellness & Lifestyle Tech: Innovations for a Better You
Health and wellness technology is a growing segment at CES 2026, with devices offering increasingly sophisticated monitoring and personalized care. These innovations aim to provide a more holistic view of our well-being and empower proactive health management.
Comprehensive Health Monitoring at Home
Withings introduced the Body Scan 2, a $600 “at-home longevity station.” This smart scale measures an impressive 60 biomarkers, going far beyond basic weight tracking. It can assess risks for conditions like hypertension and glycemic dysregulation (a precursor to diabetes) using sensors on the scale and a connected wand. This device is designed to offer a clearer picture of current health and steer users toward better health outcomes, pending FDA clearance for its Q2 2026 launch.
The smart ring market is also expanding beyond Oura, with new releases from Circular, Luna Ring, Ringconn, and Ultrahuman, all focused on minimally invasive monitoring. The Pebble Round 2 smartwatch, re-launched by Core Devices, promises an impressive one-week battery life, a significant differentiator in the wearable market.
Personal Care and Fitness Redefined
Even personal care routines are getting a high-tech upgrade. The Glyde smart hair clipper integrates an AI hair-cutting coach and automatic fade trimming, though its requirement for a face band for operation has drawn attention. Dreame showcased a unique $700 hair dryer that doubles as a floor lamp, allowing for hands-free drying.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Skwheel Peak S is a unique wearable device that aims to simulate the feeling of skiing on nearly any surface. Skwheel also introduced electric motorized skis for street commuting, controlled by a remote. The Ascentiz Exoskeleton, a modular system ranging from $1,499 to $3,399, is designed to aid mobility for users or assist in extreme outdoor adventures, highlighting the diverse applications of wearable robotics.
Surprising Gadgets & Future Concepts
Beyond the major categories, CES 2026 is also a hotbed for unique, sometimes quirky, and always intriguing gadgets that hint at future trends. These unexpected innovations often capture the imagination and demonstrate the breadth of technological creativity.
One such captivating device is the Sweekar, a spiritual successor to the iconic Tamagotchi. This egg-shaped virtual pet physically grows as it matures, “cracking” its shell and gradually getting larger through interaction and basic language learning. CNET Principal Writer Katie Collins praised Sweekar as the first worthy successor to the Tamagotchi she nurtured as a child.
In the kitchen, the Microvibration Knife uses microvibrations to facilitate easier slicing and dicing of vegetables, promising less effort and potentially reducing the need for frequent sharpening. Seattle Ultrasonics unveiled its C-200 ultrasonic knife, which vibrates over 30,000 times per second for effortless cutting. Other notable innovations include the Jackery Solar Mars Bot, a portable power station with autonomous solar panels that optimize charging, and Lutron’s smart wood blinds with “Natural Light Optimization.” Even Lego made a surprising appearance, holding its first-ever CES conference.
The CES Experience: A Look Behind the Scenes
CES 2026 isn’t just about the products; it’s a massive collaborative effort. Before the official opening on January 6th, many of the biggest reveals happen during “media day” and pre-show events like “Unveiled,” where hundreds of exhibitors showcase their gadgets to eager journalists.
CNET’s newly named Editor-in-Chief, David Katzmaier, a veteran attendee since 1999, provided a fascinating historical overview of CES. He recounted decades of product evolution, from game consoles and failed smartphone precursors to format wars, highlighting how CES has consistently jump-started the tech of tomorrow since its inception in 1967.
The CNET Group, a collective of experts from CNET, PCMag, ZDNET, Mashable, Lifehacker, IGN, and Everyday Health, will select the official “Best of CES 2026” awards. These prestigious awards, covering categories like Best AI, Best Gaming, Best Mobile, Best TV, and Best Overall, will be announced on Wednesday, January 7th, at 8 a.m. PT, recognizing the top highlights from this year’s convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the standout AI innovations showcased at CES 2026?
AI was the central theme at CES 2026, with innovations like LG’s CLOiD robot housekeeper, capable of complex chores like folding laundry and emptying dishwashers. Plaud introduced the NotePin S, a wearable AI note-taking pin that records and summarizes conversations. Samsung integrated advanced AI into its new TV lineup for enhanced picture and sound, while companies like SwitchBot unveiled AI-powered smart home devices for lighting and monitoring. Even health tech, such as Withings’ Body Scan 2, used AI to analyze numerous biomarkers for comprehensive health insights.
Which companies introduced significant new TV display technologies at CES 2026?
Samsung and LG led the charge with groundbreaking TV display technologies. Samsung showcased a massive 130-inch Micro RGB TV concept and updated OLED models with increased brightness and anti-glare features. LG unveiled its next-generation OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV, a completely wireless, ultra-thin model, and also introduced its own “Micro RGB evo TV.” Both companies, along with TCL and Hisense, are driving the industry towards Micro RGB technology, promising superior brightness, color accuracy, and new form factors for home entertainment.
Are the retro-inspired mobile accessories from CES 2026 worth considering for modern smartphones?
The retro-inspired mobile accessories from Clicks Technology offer a unique blend of nostalgia and practicality. The Clicks Communicator, a standalone BlackBerry-style device with a physical keyboard, is designed for a less distracting smartphone experience, potentially appealing to users who miss tactile feedback. Its $499 price point (with early-bird options) and inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack could justify the cost for specific users. The $79 Clicks Power Keyboard offers a more affordable way to add a physical keyboard to any MagSafe/Qi2 compatible smartphone. These accessories cater to a niche but dedicated audience valuing physical input and focused interaction.
Conclusion
CES 2026 has once again solidified its position as the premier stage for consumer electronics, unveiling a future deeply integrated with artificial intelligence. From the transformative capabilities of LG’s CLOiD robot and the visually stunning advancements in Micro RGB and OLED displays, to the powerful next-generation laptops and innovative health tech, the innovations showcased in Las Vegas hint at a smarter, more connected, and more personalized world. The energy and creativity on display underscore the continuous drive for technological progress, promising exciting developments for both early adopters and the broader consumer market in the years to come.
