GoKawiilIt's Press Day at CES 2026, the largest, flashiest tech extravaganza of the year. And that means my fellow CNET editors and I are on the ground in Las Vegas, where we're already on the hunt for the most important tech products of 2026. It also means a tangle of charging cables, towering wooden palettes as vendors set up their demos and a frenzy of companies at press-only showcases.
Stick with us as we showcase the best across all key product categories, from TVs to laptops, and hopefully ignite your imagination with fun and future-facing concepts that give you a glimpse into what your next favorite gadget might look like.
Read on for the major trends and expert predictions that shine a line on what to expect.
Read more: CNET Is Choosing the Best of CES 2026 Awards
What happens at CES again?
CES is one of the largest and most significant tech trade shows in the world. It's attended by all the major, established tech companies, as well as numerous up-and-coming companies from around the world.
Samsung will be bringing its largest-ever CES showcase to this year's convention, and Lenovo is taking over the Las Vegas Sphere for its keynote, which, if it manages to rival Delta's event at the venue last year, should be quite a show. Another event we're excited about is the Sony Honda Mobility Exhibit, where the two companies will unveil the pre-production Afeela 1 EV, set to go on sale in California in 2026.
Together with the media, investors and business leaders, these companies and others will gather in the conference halls and hotel suites of Las Vegas to showcase their newest innovations and set the agenda for the year. CES 2025 drew over 140,000 people, 40% of whom came from outside of the US, which should give you a solid idea of the enormity and importance of this show.
Some of the products and ideas we'll see at the show are concepts that tease next-generation developments in technology. Other devices will go on sale during or shortly after the show -- and we'll be sure to tell the early adopters among you exactly what they are.
What are the key dates?
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