Looking Ahead to CES 2026: Anticipations and Highlights from Tech's Premier Conference

Major Tech Revelations Expected in Las Vegas: Samsung, Sony, NVIDIA, and More

As we accelerate towards year's end, the looming presence of CES is unmistakable. Within a fortnight, the technology sector's most anticipated yearly gathering kicks off, and a glimpse of impending product launches and revelations is already upon us. Officially spanning from January 6 to January 9, CES 2026 will initiate festivities with pre-events on Sunday, January 4, and follow up with numerous press briefings on Monday. Expect showcases, announcements, and networking opportunities throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and various hotels city-wide. True to tradition, Engadget will provide comprehensive coverage both on-site and online.

As CES draws closer, more specific intel and preliminary announcements are starting to surface. Thanks to the schedule prepared by the Consumer Technology Association, we now know which corporations will be addressing the press. Leveraging our industry knowledge, we aim to predict potential tech trends to surface at the event.

Confirmed Highlights and Anticipated Showcases

The cornerstones of CES are the press conferences and exhibition booths. The Consumer Technology Association has made available a directory detailing the participants and a timetable for each official discussion and presentation.

Beginning on Sunday, January 4, Samsung takes the stage with "The First Look," conducted by TM Roh, the CEO of Samsung's Device eXperience Division, to outline new AI-enhanced user interactions for 2026.

Following this, Monday, January 5 is set for numerous corporate briefings. LG begins the day focusing on "Affectionate Intelligence" to enhance everyday living, Intel introduces its Core Ultra Series 3 chips during the afternoon, and Sony Honda Mobility unveils its first automobile. AMD's CEO, Lisa Su, will conclude the day's events with a keynote on AMD's forthcoming chip technologies.

The week of December 15 brought the addition of NVIDIA's keynote, led by CEO Jensen Huang. Scheduled for January 5 at 1 PM PT, this 90-minute session is dedicated to showcasing how NVIDIA is paving the way for cross-industry innovations.

Concluding this sequence, Lenovo's CEO, Yuanqing Yang, will hold Lenovo's Tech World Conference at Sphere on January 6, employing its immersive screen to emphasize Lenovo's commitment to intelligent AI solutions, with a likely nod to its subsidiary, Motorola.

Early Announcements Foreshadowing CES Surprises

Several companies, hand in hand with CES planning, have already unveiled key announcements. Notably, LG and Samsung have disclosed their plans surrounding Micro RGB televisions, showcasing innovations in display technology.

LG has announced its inaugural Micro RGB TV debut, confirming wide-ranging color capabilities and advanced brightness controls, although further specifics remain limited.

Expanding its 2025 offering, Samsung is set to broaden its Micro RGB TV lineup, introducing models ranging from 55 to 115 inches, implementing its latest evolution in RGB technology.

Anticipated Advances in Processing Chips

CES often serves as the launchpad for the yearly unveiling of new processing chips, which soon become embedded in consumer products. AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm are among those likely to herald the next big advancements in silicon design.

AMD is predicted to spotlight an update to its Ryzen line, possibly showcasing the newly observed Ryzen 7 9850X3D with improved single-thread efficiency and the Ryzen 9000G series utilizing Zen 5 architecture, along with developments in FSR Redstone AI technology.

Intel, continuing its AI-enhancement narrative, will unveil Panther Lake chips under the moniker of Intel Core Ultra Series 3, expected to top previous iterations in both processing and graphical prowess, facilitated by its 18A process technology.

Rumored adjustments to Qualcomm's strategy involve bolstering its laptop-focused Snapdragon lineup, with enhancements in speed and AI capabilities to be featured in new models launching at CES 2026.

Innovations in Display Technology

Sony, Samsung, and LG have attracted attention with their strides in display innovation. Sony braces to introduce a next-level RGB LED display technology capable of offering heightened color fidelity and brightness.

The company has trademarked "True RGB," potentially branding this new technology, anticipated to be revealed at CES. Otherwise, they might highlight their forthcoming 240Hz gaming monitor.

Conversely, Samsung is expected to showcase an enhancement to HDR standards via HDR10+ Advanced, responding to Dolby Vision 2, promising adaptive improvements in brightness and motion tuning.

Ballie and the Future of Robotics

Samsung's Ballie, a personable spherical assistant, maintains its enigmatic aura. Despite earlier release proclamations, Ballie's public debut remains pending. The robot, along with other advanced robotics developments, will feature heavily at CES.

Significant progression is anticipated in autonomous home-cleaning robots, particularly with features like suppleness for navigating obstacles and improved AI-based navigation systems, a response to shifting attentions in the AI community towards world modeling.

As CES 2026 approaches, we remain vigilant for the latest updates, eager to deliver ground-breaking developments as they unfold.