CES 2026 preview: what to expect from tech’s biggest conference
CES 2026 runs in Las Vegas January 6–9 (with pre-show events starting January 4). Early press schedules already point to a chip-heavy show, new display tech, high-profile keynotes and a continued push into robotics and AI-powered devices.
Organizers have published a searchable directory and a full slate of panels. Early highlights include Samsung’s opening “First Look,” an expanded press day on January 5 packed with Intel, AMD, Sony Honda Mobility and NVIDIA keynotes, and Lenovo’s Tech World at Sphere on January 6.
What to watch
- Chips: Intel will debut its Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) for premium laptops; AMD may reveal Ryzen updates including 9850X3D and Zen 5-based 9000G parts; Qualcomm is expected to push Snapdragon laptop silicon.
- Displays: Expect brighter, truer screens — Sony’s new RGB Mini‑LED backlight tech (“True RGB”) and Samsung’s rumored HDR10+ Advanced could rival Dolby Vision 2 with improved brightness and tone mapping.
- Robotics & world models: Robotics will be prominent — from robot vacuums with new mobility tricks to potential reappearances of Samsung’s Ballie. AI research into “world models” may drive smarter navigation and household robots.
- NVIDIA & AI: NVIDIA’s newly added keynote promises product and industry updates across AI workloads — the company’s presence could shape many show narratives.
Where and when
Official events center on the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding venues. Many major press conferences take place on January 4–6; the CTA directory lists exhibitors and the full schedule — a useful reference for planning your coverage or visits.
We’ll be tracking announcements, hands‑ons and confirmed reveals as companies publish their news. Expect rapid updates on laptops, GPUs, new TV panels, robotics demos and developer tools for AI-enabled devices.
See the official CES directory and schedule for the latest exhibitor and session info.
Discussion: Which CES reveal are you most excited for — new laptop chips, brighter TVs, robotics demos, or an unexpected surprise? Share what you’ll be watching.