Just two weeks before CES 2026 opens in Las Vegas, technology enthusiasts and industry watchers are preparing for a busy schedule of new product launches, demonstrations and major brand announcements. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has officially confirmed that the show floor will run from January 6 to January 9, but the excitement begins with a number of opening events and press conferences starting on January 4. The world’s biggest names in consumer electronics, including Samsung, Sony, NVIDIA and LG, are set to take center stage, building anticipation for a range of AI-powered devices, new computing hardware and display technologies.

This year’s CES is drawing attention to next-generation AI experiences and their promise of significant change in the way consumers interact with technology. Samsung kicked off the event with “The First Look” on Sunday, January 4, 2026, hosted by TM Roh, the company’s DX division CEO. The presentation is set to focus on new AI-powered customer experiences as well as Samsung’s “vision for the DX (Device Experience) division in 2026.” Other major announcements are expected to come from LG, Intel, Sony Honda Mobility, AMD, and Lenovo, each highlighting their latest innovations. These details have been confirmed by the official schedule and recent pre-event updates.

LG, Intel and AI PC Initiative

LG will kick off Monday’s conference line-up with its “Innovation in Tune with You” presentation, which aims to outline “its vision of enhancing daily life through affectionate intelligence.” Later that day, Intel will introduce its latest Core Ultra Series 3 processors, codenamed Panther Lake, designed for premium laptops as part of its ongoing “AI PC” initiative. According to Intel’s preview, the 2-nanometer 18A process chips are expected to deliver a 50 percent increase in processing and graphics performance compared to previous generations.

Advanced technology showcase from Samsung and Sony

The display technology is set to feature prominently, with both Sony and Samsung reportedly preparing updates for their flagship offerings. Samsung is said to be working on a new version of the HDR10+ standard, called HDR10+ Advanced, which aims to rival Dolby Vision 2 by providing better brightness, adaptive tone mapping, and motion smoothing for sports and gaming. Meanwhile, Sony has trademarked “True RGB”, which could signal the introduction of the new display technology, although if TV updates aren’t ready to be revealed the company could also be focusing on its upcoming 240Hz PlayStation monitors.

Emerging Robotics and Smart Assistants

Robotics is once again making headlines as Samsung’s yellow ball-shaped robot, Bailey, may be back after previous CES demonstrations and delays. Although Bailey’s commercial release was promised for 2025, it has not yet materialized. With growing interest in robotics and smart assistants, CES 2026 is expected to feature several entries in this area, whether or not Bailey makes a third public debut.

Lenovo Tech World and AI-enhanced mobile devices

The show will also see Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang host the company’s Tech World Conference on January 6, using the Sphere venue in Las Vegas to highlight Lenovo’s “commitment to delivering smart AI for all by continuously redefining how technology can engage, inspire and empower.” Given Motorola’s ownership of Lenovo, there has also been a focus on potential announcements around AI-enhanced mobile devices and foldables during the event.

Qualcomm speculation and CES 2026 focus

Along with the confirmed launch, there is much speculation about Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Premium chips appearing in new laptops, expanding AI and performance capabilities, first revealed in 2025, industry observers say. While product reveals and surprises are expected as the event approaches, current details underscore CES 2026’s focus on AI, smart device, and display innovation.

Nvidia keynote and industry innovation

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address on January 5, where the company will “showcase the latest NVIDIA solutions that drive innovation and productivity across industries.” Recently added to the CTA schedule, the event is expected to attract significant industry attention, reflecting NVIDIA’s growing role in AI, graphics and enterprise computing.