The world's most prominent technology exhibition, CES, is set to return to Las Vegas with its characteristic grandeur from January 6 to January 9, 2026. For seasoned tech journalist Anuj Bhatia of The Indian Express, attending this annual confab is a ritual, offering a crucial glimpse into the innovations that will define the consumer technology landscape for the year and beyond.
The Resurgence of CES and a Journalist's Anticipation
Based in New Delhi, Bhatia acknowledges that CES had been facing questions about its relevance in recent years. However, he notes a significant revival in the show's energy last year, making it once again a must-attend event for industry insiders and journalists. The 2026 edition, he believes, holds particular promise based on internal buzz and unexpected developments likely to captivate consumers. While not every showcased concept reaches the market, CES reliably signals the industry's directional shifts.
Top Trends Poised to Steal the Spotlight at CES 2026
On-Device AI Takes Center Stage: Artificial intelligence will continue to be the dominant narrative, but the focus is shifting. Bhatia predicts with certainty that on-device AI will be pervasive, moving beyond the cloud to be deeply embedded in chips, operating systems, and sensors. This shift promises benefits like enhanced privacy, lower latency, and offline reliability, paving the way for a new generation of products. He recalls being impressed by an early Qualcomm demo years ago and expects the technology to mature significantly.
The Rise of Humanoids and Home Robots: The robotics sector, especially for domestic use, is a major point of excitement. Following a wave of development in China, CES 2026 will feature a sizeable presence of home robots and humanoid robots. The convergence of AI, robotics, and IoT is fueling this momentum. Expect to see practical robots designed for specific tasks, moving beyond robotic vacuum cleaners. However, questions regarding privacy and safety remain pertinent.
Smarter Smart Homes Become a Reality: The smart home concept is poised for a practical evolution. Bhatia anticipates devices that respond to natural commands and use AI to intuitively understand user moods and routines. Imagine a smart fridge suggesting weekend breakfast ideas or lights adapting automatically for a yoga session. While "AI-powered" will be a common marketing term, genuine innovation may stem from advanced sensors enabling more autonomous home management.
Display Tech, Wearables, and More: The Broader CES Canvas
Televisions and display technology have always been CES headliners. For 2026, the expectation is for meaningful innovation across segments, not just the premium tier. Advances in OLED brightness and micro-LED backlighting should translate into better visuals and practical features for mid-range and affordable models, moving beyond mere concept spectacle.
Other areas drawing attention include smart glasses, where CES serves as a perfect launchpad for prototypes following devices like the Meta Ray-Ban Display. The wearables and health sector is also evolving rapidly from basic smartwatches to discreet, modular devices focused on continuous monitoring and early health detection, combining new sensors with AI.
Furthermore, CES 2026 will be a launch platform for new laptops powered by next-generation processors from Intel (Panther Lake), Qualcomm (X2), and AMD, with all major PC makers in attendance.
As Anuj Bhatia prepares to traverse Las Vegas from press briefings to the main show floor, CES 2026 stands ready to chart the course of consumer technology, with on-device intelligence and embodied AI in robots and homes leading the charge.
