## CES 2026: What to Expect From the Biggest Tech Show of the Year
CES 2026 doesn’t officially start until Jan. 6, but if you’re a regular Gizmodo reader, you already know that it has unofficially started.like every year, companies start dripping out teasers and partial product announcements at the end of December, weeks before the biggest tech show even opens its doors in Las Vegas. Be sure to follow our CES 2026 live blog to see all the stuff our consumer tech team will be taking a look at in person.
I have a strong feeling CES 2026 will be a lot more packed than everyone is anticipating. Six years after the pandemic, it seems to me-based on early announcements-that the show is finally roaring back to life. Revitalized by the promise of AI-whether automation, generative, agentic, or some othre kind-companies are daring to shoot for the moon again. So what major trends are we expecting from the year’s biggest show for technology innovation? I may ultimately be wrong, but let me peer into my crystal ball and see if I can connect some dots.
AI will be inescapable
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More than any CES show in past years,we’ll see AI shoved into every gadget imaginable. Samsung, LG, Lenovo, Razer-all of the biggest attendees and even the small unknown startups will be boasting about why some form of AI will supposedly make their products better.Some of the AI applications could legitimately move the needle; the vast majority will be AI features for AI features’ sake, overpromising and underdelivering.
As reporters, we’re gonna spend our days at CES 2026 wading through the AI minefield of intelligence sprinkled into laptops, mobile devices, home appliances, transportation, and more. The same way wi-Fi was added to virtually every gadget, AI will wiggle its way in even if you don’t want it.
Do you really need AI in a washing machine or refrigerator? How many times is a big electronics company going to try to convince us at a packed press conference that we need some new home appliance to figure out how to cook a meal from leftover ingredients? The most useful AI functions will be the ones that don’t even appear to be AI, LLMs, or chatbots working invisibly in the background to make our lives more convenient.
A sea of smart glasses
If reviewing a bunch of smart glasses, including Meta’s Ray-Ban Displaylast year signaled anything for what to expect in 2026, it’s that there will be an avalanche of smart glasses coming.
As a possible Next Big Thing after smartphones, every company seems to be trying to figure out how to commercialize smart glasses. How do you balance style and utility while making it worth the pricey early adopter cost and also squeeze in AI?## What to Expect at CES 2025: AI Slop, EV Excess, and a Return to Buttons
CES is always a weird mix of genuinely innovative tech and…stuff. Stuff that companies hope will be the next big thing, but often ends up as forgotten footnotes in the history of consumer electronics. As we head into CES 2025, I have a few predictions about what we’ll see, and what will likely be the most annoying trends.
First and foremost: AI. It’s everywhere, and CES will be no exception. But I’m bracing for a deluge of pointless AI integrations. TV companies will be desperate to slap AI onto everything, from upscaling to…well, to ogle pixels.
I’ll be paying close attention to how much AI is forced into new TVs and how companies choose to integrate AI in there. Google’s Gemini will there’s no doubt whatsoever replace the old Google Assistant, but I really want to see how much AI slop there will be. my guess is that there will be an uncomfortable amount of AI slop masquerading as utility. More AI screensavers-sorry, canvas art. More AI to create fake frames to make watching sports and gaming smoother,but visibly uglier when watching movies and TV shows because of the motion smoothening.
Speaking of higher frame rates, I have to wonder how high TV makers will go with the refresh rates? 120Hz, 165Hz, and 240Hz already push the envelope for gaming, but don’t be surprised if there are a bunch of TVs with even higher native (and artificially boosted) refresh rates just to outgun the competition on a spec sheet battle.
EVs and mobility take over
Everyone knows that CES is not a car show, but it’s also impossible to ignore the entire hall of EVs, automotive, and mobility tech at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Like a slow burn, there will be more of all of it. More EVs with absurd top speeds, longer ranges, and displays plastered inside their interiors; more e-bikes and e-scooters that blur the line with motorcycles; and more wacky prototype flying cars and personal quadcopters that will promise to hit the skies (but probably never will).
Zooming in more specifically, my observation is that there will be a trend of returning back to physical and tactile in-car controls. A decade ago
CES 2026: What to Expect from the Future of Tech
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a yearly glimpse into the future of technology, and anticipation is already building for the 2026 event.while the show will undoubtedly feature the latest laptops, TVs, and wearables, emerging trends suggest a focus on rollable displays, AI integration, and the evolving landscape of transportation. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect at CES 2026, based on current trajectories and recent innovations.
The Rise of Rollable and Flexible Displays
One of the most exciting hardware trends highlighted recently is the development of rollable displays. As showcased by Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, this technology is moving beyond concept and towards viable consumer products. Expect to see more manufacturers experimenting with flexible and rollable screens in laptops, tablets, and even smartphones at CES 2026.This innovation promises increased screen real estate in portable devices without sacrificing compactness.
Artificial Intelligence Everywhere
Artificial intelligence (AI) will permeate nearly every aspect of CES 2026. Beyond the buzz, expect to see practical applications of AI in:
* Smart home devices: More sophisticated AI-powered assistants capable of proactive automation and personalized experiences.
* Wearables: AI-driven health monitoring with advanced analytics and predictive capabilities. Companies like Samsung are already integrating AI into their health tracking features.
* Automotive Technology: Advancements in autonomous driving features, driver-assistance systems, and in-car AI experiences.
* Image and Video Processing: AI-enhanced cameras and software for improved image quality, object recognition, and creative tools.
The Evolution of Transportation
CES has become a meaningful platform for showcasing the future of mobility. CES 2026 will likely feature:
* Electric Vehicles (EVs): New EV models, battery technology advancements, and charging infrastructure solutions. The automotive industry is rapidly shifting towards electrification, as evidenced by increasing EV sales and investments from major manufacturers like tesla.
* Micro-Mobility Solutions: Innovative e-bikes, e-scooters, and other personal transportation devices designed for urban environments.
* Connected Car Technologies: Further integration of 5G connectivity, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and over-the-air software updates.
Customary Gadget Categories – Refined and Reimagined
Alongside these emerging trends, CES 2026 will also showcase improvements and innovations in established product categories:
* Laptops and PCs: Expect advancements in processing power, graphics capabilities, and display technology.
* Home Entertainment: New TVs with improved picture quality (OLED, Mini-LED, and possibly MicroLED), immersive audio systems, and streaming technologies.
* Wearables: Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and AR/VR headsets with enhanced features and functionality.
* Audio: Wireless headphones and earbuds with improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life.
* Cameras: New cameras with advanced sensors, image stabilization, and AI-powered features.
* Mobile Accessories & Computer Peripherals: Innovative accessories designed to enhance the user experience across various devices.
Looking Ahead
CES remains the premier event for previewing the future of technology.While the specific innovations unveiled at CES 2026 remain to be seen, the trends suggest a continued focus on AI-driven experiences, flexible displays, and sustainable transportation solutions. The gizmodo consumer tech team, like many others, will be on hand to cover the spectacle and provide insights into the technologies that will shape our future.