At CES 2026, one of the standout innovations was the debut of working metalenses—flat lenses made from a single sheet of glass with nanoscopic patterns that bend light, eliminating the need for traditional curved glass. These lenses, manufactured using semiconductor fabrication techniques, were demonstrated in prototype smartphones, smart glasses, advanced fingerprint readers, and compact projectors. While image quality on cameras still lags behind conventional lenses, the technology promises thinner devices and the potential to eliminate camera bumps on phones in the future.
Robot vacuums also made a big splash, with companies pushing the boundaries of what these devices can do. Roborock showcased a stair-climbing vacuum that can clean stairs, though the demo unit had some mishaps. MOA took things further with a drone vacuum capable of flying while cleaning, albeit still in the concept stage. Dreametech surprised everyone by announcing plans for a hypercar, showing that robot vacuum makers are becoming unexpected innovators in the tech industry.
Other notable products included the futuristic Wave Pro toothbrush, which features a transparent design, customizable oscillation, pressure sensors, and wireless charging. Motorola introduced its first book-style foldable phone, notable for its pen support and comfortable design, while Samsung impressed with microRGB TVs and a foldable display without a visible crease. Samsung also unveiled an AI-powered TV feature that allows users to adjust specific audio elements in real time, such as crowd noise or vocals, enhancing the viewing and listening experience.
The laptop sector saw major announcements from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Intel’s new Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3) chips stood out for their impressive integrated GPU performance, enabling AAA gaming on thin and light laptops. Devices from Dell, Lenovo, and Asus showcased these new chips, with highlights including ultra-bright OLED displays and lightweight designs. Lenovo also introduced innovative rollable laptop concepts and a Steam OS version of its Legion Go handheld, signaling a push toward more flexible and powerful portable computing.
Finally, the show featured a range of quirky and forward-thinking products. LEGO introduced smart bricks with NFC tags, Bluetooth mesh networking, and sound effects, bringing interactive play to a new level. AI companion devices were a major trend, with Razer and Motorola presenting prototypes that integrate cameras and AI into headphones and pendants. XGIMI launched smart glasses with built-in speakers and efficient displays, while Insta360 teased high-end webcams. A Swiss company, Perovskia, showcased tiny, inkjet-printed perovskite solar panels that can power small devices indoors, hinting at a future of maintenance-free, battery-less sensors.