From Foldable Phones to Smart Robots... The Highlights at 'CES 2026'

SadaNews - As the activities of the "CES 2026" exhibition continue in Las Vegas until Friday, it is evident that this year's edition does not only focus on incremental improvements, but seeks to redefine what consumer technology can be. While strolling through the exhibition halls, it is not just the magnitude of technological power that catches the eye, but those products that break expectations, from foldable phones with new designs, giant "OLED" screens, to robots capable of climbing stairs, and smart assistants getting closer to human interaction.

Below is a collection of the most noteworthy devices and technologies that caught the attention of "Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" during its visit to the "CES 2026" exhibition for the implications they have on industry trends in the upcoming phase.

The Expanding Computer Concept

The "ThinkPad Rollable XD" represents a bold reimagining by "Lenovo" of the form of laptops, by expanding screen space, enhancing the user experience, and exceeding what was previously thought possible in the laptop category. This concept is one of the first globally with an outwardly extendable screen design, featuring one face directed outward and another expanding toward the user, opening new avenues for multitasking, collaboration, and customization.

This concept stems from "Lenovo's" legacy in design innovation, starting with the "ThinkPad X1 Fold," the world's first foldable laptop, up to the "ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI," the first laptop with a stretchable screen of its kind. The device transforms from a compact size with a 13.3-inch display to a workspace of nearly 16 inches, supporting mobile work and adaptive workflow, giving users over 50 percent additional display area without the need to carry a larger laptop.

Touch gestures "Swipe to X", and voice commands in the "ThinkPad Rollable XD" make it easy to launch apps or switch between modes, whether via voice command or a tap of a finger. The device features a transparent cover at a 180-degree angle made from "Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2" developed in collaboration between "Lenovo" and "Corning," combining high durability with showcasing engineering excellence by revealing the precise mechanism that moves the stretchable screen.

With AI-powered features such as instant translation, a voice assistant, multimedia interaction, and the ability to work even when the cover is closed, the "ThinkPad Rollable XD Concept" opens new workstreams for professionals functioning in a hybrid style, retail signage, and single-to-multiple usage scenarios. This device is not just a personal computer, but a platform for delivering smarter outcomes: more efficient work, richer interaction, and future-ready innovation.

The Motorola Razr Fold Phone

The announcement of the "Motorola Razr Fold" was one of the standout moments of the exhibition in the smartphone category. This device represents Motorola's first true entry into the foldable phone segment with a "book" design, featuring a high-definition 8.1-inch internal screen and a 6.6-inch external screen. When opened, a large 8.1-inch internal screen with 2K resolution reveals itself, positioning it within the same size category as its direct competitors. On the back, the device adopts a design language close to modern Motorola phones, with a tilted camera unit featuring three lenses, each with a resolution of 50 megapixels (main, wide, and 3× optical zoom), in addition to an external 32-megapixel selfie camera, and a 20-megapixel internal camera when the phone is opened.

The "Razr Fold" is available in "Pantone Blackened Blue" and "Pantone Lily White," with a woven plant-based leather touch, giving it a more luxurious character. Although Motorola has not yet revealed the price or full technical details, the company indicates that the phone will be launched in the summer, reflecting its effort to catch the rising wave of foldable phones with a notebook design.

LG Raises the Bar for Screens with OLED evo G6

In the world of televisions, "LG" continues to impose its presence with the new generation of "OLED evo G6" screens that offer noticeably higher brightness and less reflection, backed by a new AI processor. Notably this year is cloud gaming support at (4K) resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, which reflects a significant convergence between traditional television and advanced gaming experiences. "LG" also showcased ultra-slim screens that are only a few millimeters thick, designed to blend with the wall as if they were digital artwork.

Stair-Climbing Cleaning Robot

"Roborock" introduced a new concept in the world of home robots with the "Saros Rover," a cleaning robot equipped with a mechanical mechanism enabling it to climb stairs and navigate between different levels of the home. This step addresses one of the significant weaknesses in traditional robotic vacuums and suggests greater evolution in robot mobility within complex home environments.

LEGO Blends Traditional Play with Digital Smartness

"LEGO" surprised exhibition visitors by unveiling a smart brick, an interactive building piece that adds a digital dimension to traditional play. The idea does not replace the joy of hands-on building but expands it by integrating digital elements, opening up new horizons for hybrid learning and play for children.

Smart Lighting with an Artistic Spirit from IKEA

In the smart home category, "IKEA's" "Varmblixt LED" lighting caught attention with its playful design and ability to gradually change colors to create a comfortable atmosphere. This lighting reflects a significant trend towards devices that focus not only on functionality but also on psychological and visual impact within home spaces.

Poketomo Robot... A Smart Companion with a Human Touch

"Sharp" introduced a model (Poketomo), a small robot that acts as an interactive smart assistant, designed to sit alongside the user and interact with them both audibly and visually. This product embodies the concept of "ambient intelligence," where technology becomes a natural part of daily life, rather than just a tool used when needed.

Game Controller with an Integrated Steering Wheel

In the gaming world, "GameSir" presented the "Swift Drive" controller which features a small steering wheel integrated within the controller itself, with a vibration system that simulates the driving experience. The idea targets racing game enthusiasts and offers a different experience from traditional controllers.

At-Home Health... Smart Testing

In the healthcare sector, devices allowing for at-home health tests emerged, like hormone measurement via saliva samples, indicating a gradual shift of health diagnostics from labs to homes.

"Ambient" also introduced the "Dreamie" clock, relying on lighting and sound to gently wake the user, without the need for apps or technical complexities, confirming that thoughtful simplicity still holds a special place.

AI-Powered Glasses

The "Lenovo AI Glasses Concept" redefines how users interact with their environment and unify their workflows, through a mix of smart AI assistance, multimedia control, and seamless device integration. The glasses wirelessly connect to a smart device, supporting intuitive touch and voice controls, enabling hands-free calling, and acting as a teleprompter for texts during presentations or speeches, alongside playing music. This allows users to stay connected with their personal technologies without needing to pick up their mobile or sit in front of a computer.

Relying on "Lenovo Qira," the glasses utilize the AI capabilities available on paired smartphones or computers to deliver near-instantaneous response translations, along with intelligent image recognition, adding immediate understanding and rich context to what the user sees and hears. To kick off the day, the "Catch Me Up" feature provides a quick overview of incoming notifications across multiple devices in one simplified view. Weighing less than 45 grams, the glasses combine comfort with advanced design, providing up to 8 hours of productivity and entertainment. These glasses reflect a vision for a more seamless living experience supported by AI, where technology works in harmony with the user throughout the day.

More Aware Smart Locks

In the realm of home security, the exhibition featured improvements to smart locks, with faster recognition and response capabilities supported by AI, providing smarter and smoother protection.

A Strong Return for Dell XPS Laptops

"Dell" has revived momentum for the "XPS" series with new models that combine sleek design with the latest hardware, targeting users seeking a balance between performance and aesthetics. The "CES" also showcased mobility support devices and external exoskeletons that aid walking, reminding that technological innovation is not just limited to entertainment but extends to enhancing quality of life.

What do these innovations reflect?

What unites these devices is not just their strangeness or technological power, but the ability to integrate technology into everyday life in more human ways. The "CES 2026" exhibition affirms that the future is not just about faster devices but smarter, more interactive experiences that are closer to the user. From foldable phones to home robots, and from digital health to entertainment, it seems this year's exhibition outlines the features of a new phase, where technology becomes a daily partner, not just a tool.