CES 2026: What to Expect from Tech’s Biggest Show
AMD will kick off CES 2026 with the opening keynote it’s their big moment you might be wondering what’s in store for you and I think you should be excited rumors suggest the company may finally unveil the Ryzen 7 9850X3D a processor that has been spotted in driver updates but not yet officially launched this chip is expected to feature 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost clock speed of 5.6 GHz it’s worth noting that this is a highly anticipated product people are really hoping for it to live up to the hype.
Additionally, AMD might provide updates on its Strix Point APU previously delayed from 2025 we’ve been waiting patiently for this one and leaks about the Ryzen AI 9 465 a variant of the Strix Point hint at potential announcements now’s the time to get the scoop you don’t want to miss this.
Intel’s Panther Lake Debut
Intel has confirmed that CES 2026 will mark the global launch of its Panther Lake processors part of the Core Ultra Series 3 these chips are significant as they represent Intel’s first products built on the advanced 18A manufacturing process we’re curious to see how they will perform in real-world applications early benchmarks have been modest but we’re hopeful the full capabilities of these processors will be showcased at the event.
Intel’s Nova Lake chips are also rumored to be in development but it’s unclear if they will make an appearance at CES the uncertainty only adds to our excitement you can bet that the audience will be buzzing with anticipation.
Handheld Gaming PCs Take Center Stage
Handheld gaming PCs are set to be a major highlight at CES 2026 with Intel’s new mobile chips proving their mettle against AMD’s best we can expect to see handhelds featuring both Panther Lake and the latest Ryzen APUs the Strix Halo platform seen in devices like the GPD Win 5 and Ayaneo Next II might also make an appearance though power and thermal management remain challenges you can be sure that the tech-savvy crowd will be on the edge of their seats.
Qualcomm is another player to watch the company claims its latest Snapdragon X2 chips offer significant performance‑per‑watt advantages over competitors and with gaming on Arm architectures becoming more viable Qualcomm‑based handhelds could make a splash at the show you won’t want to miss this.
Nvidia’s AI Focus
Nvidia’s presence at CES 2026 will be heavily focused on AI their event page promises “hands‑on demos” and talks on how AI is driving innovation across industries while Nvidia’s growth has been fueled by AI don’t expect major gaming announcements those are likely being saved for Nvidia’s own GTC event in March you can be sure that the AI enthusiasts will have plenty to absorb.
Laptops: Power and Efficiency
CES is always a hotspot for new laptops and 2026 will be no different expect to see models equipped with Nvidia’s RTX 50‑series GPUs and high‑end APUs from AMD and Intel Intel’s Panther Lake processors will be a major focus with a range of laptops showcasing the new architecture you’ll be amazed by the sheer variety on offer.
Qualcomm’s laptops are also expected to make an appearance offering a blend of performance and efficiency advancements in display technology might see more laptops with OLED screens and slim designs you won’t want to miss the cutting-edge tech.
Monitors: Brighter and Faster
Monitor technology continues to evolve and CES 2026 will highlight incremental improvements in OLED panels expect brighter screens better HDR performance and new form factors including 5K and possibly 6K gaming monitors you’ll want to upgrade your setup immediately.
High‑refresh‑rate monitors are also likely to be on display with more models featuring refresh rates above 500 Hz innovations from brands like LG and Samsung will leave you in awe of the technology.
AI Everywhere (Again)
AI will be a dominant theme at CES 2026 from keynotes by Lenovo and AMD to Nvidia’s AI‑focused demos expect to see AI integrated into a wide range of products while some applications may seem gimmicky advancements in technologies like DLSS and FSR show the potential for meaningful innovation you can rely on the show to provide an in-depth look.
Conclusion
CES 2026 promises to be an exciting event with major announcements from leading tech companies from new processors and gaming PCs to the latest in AI and display technology there’s plenty to look forward to stay tuned for updates from the show floor you won’t want to miss the highlights reel.
