CES 2026 Preview: The home office is coming of age – What we expect
Date: November 25, 2025
In just a few weeks, the doors of CES will open again in Las Vegas. The Consumer Electronics Show has always been a barometer for the coming tech year. But for 2026, our preliminary discussions with manufacturers and analysts reveal a clear focus: the fusion of lifestyle and professional work.
We’ve reviewed the leaks, press releases, and rumors. Here’s our assessment of what to expect—and where we need to look closely in Las Vegas to distinguish marketing from genuine innovation.
AI Hardware: From “Cloud” to “On-Device”
We expect Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm to use CES 2026 to redefine the “AI PC.” It’s no longer about chatbots in the browser, but about hardware.
- The expectation: Laptops and desktops with extremely powerful NPUs (Neural Processing Units) that run local language models (LLMs) without an internet connection. The promise: data privacy (data never leaves the device) and zero latency.
- The reality check (wait and see): How much does this local computing power actually drain the battery? We need to test in Las Vegas whether the promised “days without charging” under simultaneous AI load are realistic or only work under laboratory conditions.
Spatial Computing: Glasses instead of a wall of monitors?
Now that Apple and Meta have paved the way, we expect a flood of third-party manufacturers positioning AR glasses as monitor replacements.
The expectation: Lightweight glasses that project three or four virtual 4K monitors into the room. Perfect for home offices with limited space or for digital nomads on trains.
The reality check (wait and see): Text sharpness and wearing comfort. Can we really work for eight hours with such a device without getting a headache? And: How good is the passthrough, i.e., the view of the real keyboard and coffee cup?
The “invisible” technology: Furniture with intelligence
The trend is moving away from the “tech look” and towards the “interior design look.” Technology should be present, but unobtrusive.
The expectation: Samsung and LG are expected to showcase transparent OLEDs that look like glass when switched off. We also anticipate desks and chairs with integrated sensors (posture correction, stress measurement) that blend seamlessly into the living space.
The reality check (wait and see): Are transparent displays truly practical in a home office (contrast levels in daylight)? And regarding smart furniture: Is the sensor technology medically sound or just a gimmick that drives up the price?
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 goes mainstream
We expect that Wi-Fi 7 routers will no longer be a high-end niche product at CES 2026, but will reach the mass market.
The expectation: Stable connections even in apartment buildings with poor electromagnetic radiation and latency low enough for VR meetings and cloud workstations. Li-Fi (Internet over light) could also be a topic for some specialized providers for secure home offices.
The reality check (wait and see): Interoperability. Will the new routers truly work perfectly with devices from the last two years, or will the standard force us to replace all our existing hardware?
The end of bad video calls
Webcams and microphones are set to reach a new level thanks to AI upscaling and beamforming, according to announcements.
The expectation: Holographic displays (like Google’s Project Starline, but smaller) for the desktop, making video calls appear three-dimensional. These will be complemented by audio solutions that create a “silence bubble” around the user.
The reality check (wait and see): The “uncanny valley” effect. Do the 3D conversation partners appear natural or artificial? And does the noise cancellation actually work when there’s a real dog barking or a construction site roaring in the background?
The CES 2026 schedule at a glance
Important note regarding scheduling:
- PST: Las Vegas local time
- CET: Central European Time (CET) (+9 hours)
- As of November 25, 2025 (slots are based on current confirmations and the manufacturers’ historical “regular slots”)
1. Media Days (Press & Analysts Only)
Sunday, January 4, 2026 (Media Day 1)
Focus: Market analysis and “CES Unveiled” (First Hands-on)
| Time (PST – Las Vegas) | Time (CET – DE) | Event / Manufacturer | Location | Editorial focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 – 08:45 | 17:00 – 17:45 | LG Electronics | Mandalay Bay | Transparent OLEDs, AI in the Smart Home (“Zero Labor Home”). |
| 09:00 – 09:45 | 18:00 – 18:45 | Bosch / ZF | Mandalay Bay | Software-Defined Vehicle, AI Automotive Solutions. |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | 19:00 – 19:45 | Panasonic | Mandalay Bay | Sustainable energy (Green Impact), cameras, automotive. |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | 20:00 – 20:45 | Hisense | Mandalay Bay | 110-inch+ Mini-LED TVs, Laser TVs. |
| 13:00 – 13:45 | 22:00 – 22:45 | TCL | Mandalay Bay | QD-Mini LED, Mobile Devices (AR glasses). |
| 14:00 – 14:45 | 23:00 – 23:45 | Samsung | Mandalay Bay | Top event: AI ecosystem, robots (Ballie), screens. |
| 15:00 – 15:45 | 00:00 – 00:45 (+1) | Intel | Venetian / Stream | Top event: Core Ultra “Panther Lake”, AI PC hardware. |
| 17:00 – 17:45 | 02:00 – 02:45 (+1) | Sony | LVCC Central Hall | Top event: Afeela (car), PlayStation accessories, film technology. |
The “Hidden Gems” (ShowStoppers & Pepcom): In addition to the official events listed above, there are two press-only events in the evening, which are often more productive than the trade show floor, as food, drinks, and direct access to PR professionals are guaranteed.
- Pepcom Digital Experience: Monday evening (January 5), usually at the Mirage or Caesars Palace. (Simultaneous with the Sony press conference – split up your team!)
- ShowStoppers: Tuesday evening (January 6), usually at the Bellagio or Wynn.
Monday, January 5, 2026 (Media Day 2 – “Super Monday”)
Focus: The major press conferences of the big players
| Time (PST – Las Vegas) | Time (CET – DE) | Event / Manufacturer | type | Expectation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 – 13:45 | 22:00 – 22:45 | CTA Tech Trends | analysis | “State of the Industry” Report (Figures/Data for Market Articles). |
| 17:00 – 20:30 | 02:00 – 05:30 (+1) | CES Unveiled Las Vegas | Tabletop-Event | Important: First opportunity to photograph gadgets from startups and winners of the Innovation Awards. |
(Note: NVIDIA and AMD often hold separate “Special Addresses,” sometimes as early as Sunday or Tuesday morning – pay attention to short-notice invitations.)
Show Floor Hours (Public Trade Fair)
| Date | Time (PST) | Time (CET) | status | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 6th | 10:00 – 18:00 | 19:00 – 03:00 | Day 1 | The opening keynote usually takes place at 8:30 am (before admission) at the Venetian. |
| Wednesday, January 7th | 09:00 – 18:00 | 19:00 – 03:00 | Day 2 | Full operation. Ideal for booth visits in the LVCC (Central/North Hall). |
| Thursday, January 8th | 09:00 – 18:00 | 19:00 – 03:00 | Day 3 | A bit quieter. Good for Eureka Park (startups) at the Venetian Expo. |
| Friday, January 9th | 09:00 – 16:00 | 18:00 – 01:00 | Day 4 | Early end! Many stalls start dismantling as early as 3 pm. |
(Note: NVIDIA and AMD often hold separate “Special Addresses,” sometimes as early as Sunday or Tuesday morning – pay attention to short-notice invitations.)
Our preliminary conclusion
Webcams and microphones are set to reach a new level thanks to AI upscaling and beamforming, according to announcements.
The expectation: Holographic displays (like Google’s Project Starline, but smaller) for the desktop, making video calls appear three-dimensional. These will be complemented by audio solutions that create a “silence bubble” around the user.
The reality check (wait and see): The “uncanny valley” effect. Do the 3D conversation partners appear natural or artificial? And does the noise cancellation actually work when there’s a real dog barking or a construction site roaring in the background?
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