CES 2026 has wrapped — and as always, it’s set the tone for the year’s biggest tech trends. Whether you’re thinking about a laptop upgrade, curious about next‑gen TVs or just love seeing where future tech is headed, this year’s show was packed with announcements that actually matter for all of us. Less flying car we’re never going to get, more tech you’ll genuinely want in your home.
From AI‑powered laptops to ultra‑thin TVs to foldable phones that keep getting better, here’s your no‑nonsense roundup of the biggest headlines from CES 2026 - and what they mean for you.
Computing & components – faster, smarter and packed with more AI
If CES 2025 was the year every brand talked about AI, CES 2026 is when that talk turned into hardware. And lots of it. Pretty much every big computing announcement focused on AI‑centric processors, smarter power management and big performance leaps for gaming, creative work and multitasking.
This matters because these technologies will power the next generation of AI laptops and gaming laptops you’ll see on shelves this year.
Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake)
Intel’s headline announcement this year was the jump to its new 18A process, which may boost CPUs as much as 60% and graphics as much as 77% depending on workload. Wow!
So why does this matter?
18A = efficiency + speed. It’s Intel’s most advanced manufacturing process yet, boosting performance while lowering power consumption. That means laptops feel snappier and last longer between charges.
AI gets a big leap. Intel is doubling down on integrated AI acceleration, which should make AI‑powered features feel instant rather than experimental.
Better integrated graphics. Casual and indie gamers may no longer need a dedicated GPU just to get smooth performance.
If you’re not in a rush to upgrade, it’s worth keeping an eye out: Panther Lake laptops could be the biggest mainstream jump we’ve seen in years.
NVIDIA DLSS 4.5
Last year, NVIDIA used CES to unveil its latest GPUs. This year, it focused on DLSS 4.5, the latest version of its upscaling tech that works on existing RTX cards. Great news for gamers who aren’t looking to upgrade just yet!
What DLSS 4.5 brings:
Sharper image quality thanks to second‑gen Super Resolution
Up to 6× frame generation on RTX 50-Series cards, which means smoother gameplay without needing a hardware upgrade
Better lighting and motion rendering, especially in fast‑paced games
Gamers with RTX 50-Series graphics cards will love this. It looks like a free performance bump without having to buy anything new. If you want to know more, check out our guide to what is DLSS.
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D & Ryzen AI Max
AMD came to CES swinging, especially for gamers and creators.
The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is shaping up to be a beast of a gaming CPU thanks to its massive cache and boost speeds.
Ryzen AI Max promises 50+ TOPS (a measure of AI performance). This could be a powerhouse for creative work like video editing, generative design and livestreaming.
ASUS ROG NeoCore & Zenbook Duo refresh
ASUS showed two very different ideas:
ROG NeoCore router
A concept Wi‑Fi 8 router built for low‑latency gaming. Wi‑Fi 8 isn’t mainstream yet, but once more devices adopt it, expect much faster home Wi‑Fi.
Zenbook Duo (2026)
The dual‑screen laptop gets a major upgrade with…
Brighter, better screens
Next‑gen processors
A more refined hinge and lighter design
Dual‑screen laptops aren’t for everyone, but if you multitask heavily - spreadsheets, creative apps, coding etc – the new Duo could be a productivity powerhouse.
And the good news is that the current Zenbook Duos are available now!
HP Eliteboard G1a – the PC inside a keyboard
This was one of the most how did they not think of this before gadgets at CES. It’s literally a full Windows PC built inside a keyboard with upgradeable RAM and SSD. So, all you’ll need is a screen.
Perfect for schools, hot‑desking offices or tiny home setups. Just plug into any monitor and you’re good to go.
TVs & home entertainment – bigger, thinner, and more colourful
TVs are where CES always goes big, and 2026 did not disappoint. If you’re eyeing an upgrade, the tech shown this year is exactly what you’ll start seeing in OLED TVs, QLED TVs and mainstream TVs over the next 12–18 months.
Samsung Micro RGB
Samsung’s Micro RGB TVs aims to deliver richer colour, brighter highlights and deeper contrast by using individual red, green and blue micro‑LEDs instead of filtered white light. The result should be a sharp, vibrant picture with fewer reflections and clearer detail. Details include:
Exceptional colour with full BT.2020 coverage.
Striking brightness and contrast from true RGB light sources.
AI-enhanced picture for sharper, more lifelike scenes.
Glare-free viewing that keeps colours accurate in bright rooms.
Premium extras like Dolby Atmos, Q‑Symphony, and a slim, modern design.
Smart features, including a Vision AI companion for search, translation, and generative wallpapers.
LG Wallpaper TV (W6)
LG returned to its stylish roots with a TV that’s just 9mm thin. That’s thinner than many smartphone - and it sits almost flush against the wall.
Highlights:
The Zero Connect Box means no spaghetti‑like cables trailing down your wall
Outstanding OLED picture quality
Surprisingly good sound despite its depth
Ok, it looks amazing. But is it practical for UK homes? Absolutely, since it minimises space and clutter. You'll just need a wall big enough to mount it on!
TCL X11L SQD‑Mini LED
TCL continues its rise as the budget‑premium TV champ. Here’s what’s new about their latest model:
“Super Quantum Dot” tech for even brighter colours
Improved longevity
An alternative to QLEDs, but often at a lower price
Expect this to make premium‑looking TVs more affordable this year.
Philips TVs with Dolby Vision 2
Philips wasn’t at CES, but Dolby used its keynote to confirm the upcoming TVs: Philips OLED951, OLED911 and OLED811. These will be the first TVs available to support Dolby Vision 2.
We can expect:
Better HDR detail
Smoother motion
Four HDMI 2.1 ports
AI‑based picture enhancements
If you want a deep dive into the new standard, see Dolby Vision 2 explained.
Hisense 116UXS
If you’re looking for a TV nudging closer to cinema scale, Hisense unveiled a massive showpiece TV featuring 116 inches of premium display, RGB MiniLED evo technology and a built‑in 6.2.2‑channel audio system tuned by Devialet Opéra de Paris
It’s huge, high‑end and definitely not cheap - but expect the tech to trickle down into mainstream Hisense sets soon.
Mobile & foldables – new shapes, even smarter
Foldables are no longer quirky experiments — they’re now genuinely polished devices you might choose as your everyday phone. For shoppers browsing foldable and flip phones or Android phones, CES 2026 shows what’s unfolding.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
The star of the show. It folds… twice.
Standard smartphone size
Opens to a 10-inch tablet
Uses two hinges and a surprisingly seamless display finish
It feels like science fiction made real - and it looks super smooth too. It’s only a concept right now, but could be the future for foldables.
Motorola Razr Fold
Motorola is expanding beyond its classic flip design into book‑style foldables. The Razr Fold focuses on:
A cleaner hinge
A more durable display
Software that makes big‑screen multitasking feel natural
Other cool stuff
L’Oréal Light Straight & LED face masks
CES always has a few beauty‑tech surprises, and this year L’Oréal came with two:
Infrared hair straightening which uses heat more evenly and gently
Flexible LED face masks aimed at improving skincare with targeted light therapy
LED facemasks can help with brightness, fine lines, and clarity. For more info: LED face masks
Both products are expected to launch globally in 2027.
LEGO Smart Bricks
One of the most family friendly at CES was LEGO Smart Bricks. The most low tech (but satisfying) blocks around are now getting a major upgrade with built‑in ASIC chips, sensors, speakers, LEDs and more. Why? LEGO aims to make more interactive bricks.
And for good reason. The first sets are LEGO Star Wars themed and launch March 1, 2026, with pre‑orders from January 9th. So, expect more bleeping, flashing and sound effects when you build that X-Wing.
Will they replace traditional LEGO sets? No way. And if you prefer your LEGO a little more analogue, be sure to check out our LEGO Star Wars sets.
FAQs
When will CES 2026 tech be available in the UK?
Most devices will roll out between March and October 2026, though some (like L’Oréal’s tools) are 2027 launches.
Which CES 2026 innovations will impact everyday consumers most?
AI‑powered laptops, next‑gen TVs and maturing foldables seem to be the most attainable tech.
Are CES announcements real products or just concepts?
A mix. We always looks forward to the weird and wonderful stuff, but 2026 leaned towards real, shipping products more than wild prototypes.
Will CES 2026 TVs be worth waiting for?
If you’re eyeing a premium OLED or QLED upgrade, yes. Dolby Vision 2 and new display tech will be game‑changers.
How important was AI at CES 2026?
Huge. Nearly every device had AI enhancements baked in, especially laptops.
Which brands stood out most?
It all depends on what tech you’re most into, but Samsung, LG, HP, TCL and ASUS caught our eye this year. Each pushing genuine innovation.
Want more CES?
Check out the (almost) complete line up of new TVs at CES 2026!
