Samsung Electronics has announced The First Look, a high-profile event previewing its 2026 vision for the Device eXperience (DX) division and innovative AI-driven customer experiences. Scheduled for January 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM PST, this gathering at the luxurious Latour Ballroom in Wynn Las Vegas positions itself as the official kickoff to CES 2026, two days before the main expo begins. With holidays approaching, Samsung shifts focus forward, inviting global audiences to witness transformative tech advancements.
Keynote Lineup and Event Highlights
TM Roh, CEO and Head of the DX Division, leads as the keynote speaker, sharing Samsung’s strategic roadmap for mobile innovations and beyond. Joining him on stage are SW Yong, President and Head of the Visual Display Business, and Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Appliances Business, each detailing their divisions’ directions for the year ahead. This powerhouse trio promises insights into how Samsung plans to integrate cutting-edge hardware with intelligent software ecosystems.
The event emphasizes a holistic 2026 outlook, spotlighting the DX division’s evolution amid fierce competition in smartphones, foldables, wearables, and connected devices. Samsung teases “new AI-driven customer experiences,” signaling deeper personalization, seamless interoperability, and proactive assistance across its product lineup. Live streaming ensures accessibility worldwide via Samsung Newsroom, the official YouTube channel, and Samsung TV Plus, making it easy for enthusiasts to join from anywhere.
What to Anticipate from Samsung’s 2026 Roadmap
Speculation runs high around potential reveals tied to recent teases and rumors. The Galaxy Z TriFold, Samsung’s ambitious tri-fold smartphone recently launched in South Korea, could see global pricing and availability announcements, marking a pivotal moment for multi-fold form factors. Expect updates on next-generation displays from the Visual Display team, including advancements in OLED, MicroLED, and AI-enhanced visuals for TVs and monitors that redefine home entertainment.
Digital Appliances may showcase smarter home ecosystems, with appliances featuring embedded AI for energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, and intuitive user interactions. On the mobile front, whispers of the Exynos 2600 chipset suggest refinements addressing past performance critiques, potentially powering the Galaxy S26 series with superior efficiency and power. Galaxy AI enhancements could expand, evolving Bixby into a more context-aware companion while introducing cross-device AI synergies that blur lines between phones, tablets, TVs, and appliances.
Samsung’s commitment to AI extends to everyday usability, promising experiences that anticipate needs rather than react to commands. This could manifest in unified platforms where your Galaxy phone seamlessly controls home appliances, suggests recipes based on fridge inventory via smart cameras, or optimizes TV content with viewing habits analyzed across devices. Such integrations position Samsung as a leader in creating cohesive, intelligent living spaces.
Why The First Look Matters for Tech Enthusiasts
As CES 2026 approaches, The First Look serves as Samsung’s bold statement in a landscape dominated by AI races and hardware innovations. It underscores the company’s pivot toward experiential computing, where devices collaborate to deliver value beyond isolated features. For consumers, this means future products that feel intuitively connected, enhancing productivity, entertainment, and daily life.
Industry watchers anticipate competitive ripples, especially as rivals like Apple and Qualcomm push boundaries in silicon and software. Samsung’s event could set the tone for the year’s tech narrative, influencing everything from foldable adoption to AI ethics in consumer tech. Mark your calendars—this prelude promises to ignite excitement for a year of groundbreaking releases.
