CES 2026 runs from January 6 to 9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with pre-show events starting January 4, including Media Days and press conferences. Samsung kicks off with “The First Look” on January 4, hosted by DX Division CEO TM Roh, unveiling AI-driven device experiences. Monday, January 5 features LG’s “Innovation in Tune with You” on Affectionate Intelligence, Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 launch, Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela updates, and AMD CEO Lisa Su’s keynote on new chips. Lenovo caps Tuesday at Sphere with its Tech World Conference on smarter AI for all [web:19][web:20].
Chip Innovations from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm
Chip launches dominate CES, signaling yearly silicon advancements in consumer devices. AMD’s keynote spotlights Ryzen refreshes like the Ryzen 7 9850X3D for superior gaming performance and Ryzen 9000G APUs on Zen 5, plus 3D V-Cache tech and FSR Redstone AI upscaling. Intel debuts Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 chips on 18A process, promising 50% CPU/GPU gains for premium AI laptops, with first laptops announced January 5 [web:19][web:24][web:36]. Qualcomm targets Snapdragon X2 Elite and Premium for Windows PCs, enhancing speed, efficiency, and AI beyond phones [web:19][web:38].
Display Tech Evolution: Brighter, Truer Screens
Sony gears up for “True RGB” LED panels using individual RGB Mini LEDs for superior brightness and color accuracy without QD-OLED filters or burn-in risks, potentially in new Bravia TVs or a 240Hz PlayStation monitor. Samsung advances HDR10+ with HDR10+ Advanced, rivaling Dolby Vision 2 via bi-directional tone mapping, genre adaptation, and motion smoothing. Expect fresh TV lineups from LG, Hisense, and TCL emphasizing RGB tech across sizes [web:19][web:37]. CES remains a TV showcase, blending cutting-edge panels with practical demos.
Robotics Surge: Ballie, Vacuums, and AI Navigation
Samsung’s elusive Ballie robot, teased since 2020 with projections and Gemini AI, may finally launch after 2025 delays. Robot vacuums evolve with Roborock’s Saros Z70 retractable arms, Dreame X50 leg-climbing, and Qrevo Curv 2 Flow roller mops for better obstacle handling [web:19]. AI shifts to world models for spatial understanding, boosting home/workplace navigation in bipedal and wheeled bots. Mobility highlights include Sony Honda’s Afeela EV, Waymo/Zoox robotaxis, and debuts from Bosch, Geely, Hyundai [web:20][web:25].
Broader Trends and Coverage
AI panels, immersive entertainment, and CTA Tech Trends to Watch frame CES’s future agenda, with newcomers like PICO and LEGO Group joining Media Days. LG and Samsung envision intelligent homes, while Lenovo redefines engagement [web:20][web:25]. Engadget delivers live coverage, hands-ons, and updates as rumors solidify into reveals. CES 2026 promises transformative tech across computing, displays, robotics, and mobility, setting 2026’s innovation pace [web:19].
