The CES 2026 preview cycle has already begun, even though the show doesn’t officially open until January. Whispers, early leaks and corporate hints are painting a clearer picture of what could arrive on the Las Vegas show floor. CES runs from January 6 to 9, with events beginning on January 4, and it remains the most influential global stage for consumer technology. As usual, companies will announce new devices, debut prototypes and outline bold visions for the year ahead.
Engadget and other outlets will cover the event both on-site and remotely, offering real-time insights into the industry’s biggest launches. While more announcements will surface as CES approaches, we already have enough information to map out a strong preview of what’s coming.
Press conferences set the stage in this CES 2026 preview
Press conferences remain the heartbeat of CES. Every year, giants like Samsung, Sony, LG, Intel and AMD anchor the event with major keynote moments. For CES 2026, the Consumer Technology Association has already confirmed who will take the stage and when.
Samsung begins the show on Sunday, January 4, with “The First Look,” hosted by TM Roh. The presentation will focus on Samsung’s upcoming AI-driven device experiences and the company’s broader DX strategy for 2026. This kickoff often sets the tone for the entire week.
Monday, January 5, will bring a wave of back-to-back announcements. LG opens with a keynote titled “Innovation in Tune with You,” promising its take on AI-enhanced daily life. Intel follows later in the day with the debut of its Core Ultra Series 3 processors, while Sony Honda Mobility presents updates on its first electric vehicle. AMD CEO Lisa Su closes the day with news about AMD’s next-generation chips.
On Tuesday, January 6, Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang hosts Lenovo’s Tech World Conference at Sphere. The immersive venue will showcase the company’s vision for “smarter AI for all,” emphasizing new ways technology can empower everyday users.
Tech themes to watch in this CES 2026 preview
While press events drive headlines, trends define CES. By looking at the past year’s announcements and current R&D trajectories, we can predict several major themes for 2026.
New chips dominate the CES 2026 preview
CES traditionally kicks off the year’s semiconductor announcements. AMD is expected to expand its Ryzen lineup with the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Ryzen 9000G series, both likely to deliver better single-threaded performance and integrate Zen 5 architecture. The company may also discuss updates to its FSR Redstone AI upscaling technology.
Intel already confirmed that it will launch its Panther Lake processors at CES 2026. The new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 line, built on the 18A 2-nanometer process, promises significant performance gains — up to 50% more compute power and a major uplift for its Arc GPU.
Qualcomm could also make waves as it continues moving Snapdragon chips deeper into the laptop market. Its Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Premium chips are expected to appear in the first wave of CES notebooks, showcasing faster AI processing and improved overall performance.
Display innovations brighten this CES 2026 preview
Televisions often steal the spotlight at CES, and 2026 looks no different. Following the 2025 Bravia refresh, Sony appears ready to introduce entirely new displays. The company teased an RGB LED backlight technology built from red, green and blue Mini LED units. Dubbed “True RGB,” the system promises brighter output and more accurate color reproduction without relying on OLED filtering.
CES attendees may also see Sony’s new 240Hz PlayStation monitor, which could debut as a companion for next-gen PlayStation hardware.
Samsung, meanwhile, is reportedly preparing HDR10+ Advanced, a next-stage HDR format built to compete with Dolby Vision 2. The update could deliver smarter tone mapping, enhanced brightness control and genre-specific optimizations for sports and gaming.
LG and other major manufacturers are also expected to reveal new premium OLED and Mini LED models, reinforcing CES as the world’s most important TV showcase.
Robotics rise again in this CES 2026 preview
Samsung’s yellow ball-shaped robot, Ballie, has become a recurring CES mystery. Announced in 2020, refreshed in 2024 and promised again for 2025, Ballie has yet to reach consumers. With Google’s Gemini reportedly onboard, CES 2026 might be the moment for Ballie’s proper debut — or another teaser.
Regardless, robotics will be a major focus across the show. The 2025 event highlighted advanced robot vacuums and next-generation mobility robots, and CES 2026 will likely showcase even more capable home robotics. Models with leg-assisted traversal, retractable mop rollers and smarter navigation systems could dominate show floor demos.
AI “world models,” a rising field in robotics research, should also play a key role. These models aim to give robots a deep understanding of 3D environments, helping them navigate homes and workplaces more autonomously. This approach could make robots dramatically more competent, and CES may become the first place many consumers see these advancements in action.
Staying updated on our CES 2026 preview
We’ll continue updating this CES 2026 preview as new leaks surface and companies confirm additional products. CES traditionally builds momentum throughout December and early January, so the coming weeks should bring a flurry of announcements.
Stay tuned — the biggest tech show on Earth is already taking shape.
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