CES 2026 opens in Las Vegas January 6-9 with artificial intelligence dominating the agenda. The Consumer Technology Association expects thousands of exhibitors across 2.6 million square feet, according to its January 2 press release.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang headlines the show with a keynote on physical AI systems. AMD CEO Lisa Su delivers another major address on January 5, focusing on enterprise AI chips that challenge NVIDIA's market dominance.
The Consumer Electronics Show has transformed from a gadget showcase to an AI platform event, according to ChannelNews analysis. Australian retailers reportedly stayed away this year as CES shifted focus from next-quarter inventory to future technology platforms.
Samsung, LG, and Hisense will showcase RGB television technology at the show. These displays use individual red, green, and blue lights instead of traditional backlights for improved color accuracy and brightness, according to Mashable previews.
Leaks suggest Samsung will display a 98-inch version of its Frame TV, while LG's RGB lineup starts at 75 inches. Both companies join Hisense in pushing larger display formats alongside the new color technology.
AMD may announce its Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU during its keynote, targeting high-performance PC gaming. Intel has already pre-announced Panther Lake chips, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite will appear in new laptops at the show.
LG introduces CLOiD, a home robot with two limbs and AI-powered personalization. Samsung's spherical Ballie robot, first shown at CES 2020, could make another appearance though consumer availability remains uncertain.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Tri-Fold may make its Western debut after launching in Asia. The three-screen foldable features two creases instead of one, creating a book-style device. Motorola reportedly plans to show a new book-style foldable with potential wood finish.
Smart glasses with built-in displays will appear more frequently than previous years, building on Meta's Ray-Ban market presence. The category faces ongoing privacy challenges regarding wearable cameras.
CES 2026 features 400 conference sessions with 1,300 speakers across 13 venues. New tracks include manufacturing, wearables, and women's health, according to the official schedule.
The show recorded 3,600+ Innovation Award submissions, a new record. First-time exhibitors include IKEA, Marriott International, and Fanatics alongside established technology brands.
AI accounted for 92% of U.S. GDP growth in the first half of 2025, according to Harvard economist Jason Furman. This economic impact drives CES's shift toward AI platforms across all product categories.
Physical AI extends beyond robotics into drones, appliances, televisions, and mobile devices. Industry sources describe the focus as transforming entire sectors including healthcare, automotive, and manufacturing.
The CES Accessibility Stage debuts at the Venetian with three days of programming on assistive technology. Verizon powers the stage, which will highlight smart glasses, robotics, and voice-activated home assistants.
Lenovo plays a major role as it invests in Chinese AI systems for servers and PCs. The company's technology reportedly serves Australian government and education sectors.
CES 2026 runs January 6-9 across multiple Las Vegas venues including the Las Vegas Convention Center, Venetian, and Fontainebleau. Media days begin January 4 with CES Unveiled and Tech Trends to Watch events.
