XTHE

By late 2025, Google is expected to stand out in the smartphone industry for its unique approach. While Apple and Samsung continue to compete over technical specifications like speed and camera quality, Google focuses on user experience, delivering meaningful upgrades and versatile features.  

The Google Pixel 10 is designed for users who value software above all else, providing smooth performance and helpful features that simplify everyday interactions. This means users experience a device that adapts to their needs, making routine tasks easier and more enjoyable.  
 
The latest lineup offers choices to fit different needs:  

• The standard Pixel 10  

• The more advanced Pixel 10 Pro  

• The larger Pixel 10 Pro XL  

• The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold  

All four models run a lightweight near-stock version of Android with extensive AI features. While Google Tensor chipsets are less powerful than Apple’s A-series or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, Google leverages its software expertise to enhance the value of its devices.  

Many users rate the Google Pixel series among the best Android phones, not just for its features but also for a smooth, fast, and reliable experience. Despite the Tensor chipset being slower than Qualcomm’s top processors, Pixel devices stand out for camera quality, AI enhancements, and a streamlined Android version that ensures users get new updates and improvements first, enhancing everyday usability.  

As 2025 draws to a close, we look ahead to the new Google Pixel phone. At least five new devices are expected, from the budget of Pixel 10a to the Pixel 11 Pro, as well as a foldable tablet-and-phone hybrid.  

To provide a clearer picture, below is an overview of the Pixel devices expected in 2026 and their anticipated release windows.  

The Pixel 10a is expected to launch in spring 2026, based on the Pixel 9a’s April 10 release and the Pixel 8a’s May 24 debut, suggesting a spring release pattern for the series.  

All four expected Pixel 11 flagships will likely launch together later in the year. The Pixel 10 series launched on August 28 with the Pixel 10 Pro fold following October. A similar schedule is expected for 2026 as Google aims to release ahead of the iPhones’ usual September launch.  

Google Pixel 10a 

The Google Pixel A series is known for being among the best affordable smartphones, with the Pixel 9a currently leading our list.  

While the upcoming Pixel 10a, expected this spring, might seem like an upgrade over the 9a, leaked specifications indicate that the improvements are minimal, with the new model projected to be nearly identical to the current one. For users, this means current Pixel 9a owners may not notice much real-world difference if they upgrade.  

Evan Blass posted certification details of the Pixel 10a on X, confirming Verizon network compatibility. The screenshot indicates that the 10a will feature a 6.285-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a 48MP rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 13MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture, 128 GB of storage, 8 GB of RAM, and a 5100 mAh battery. These specifications match those of Pixel 9a.  

Reports indicate that Google may retain the Tensor-G4 chip for the Pixel 10a rather than adopt the Tensor-G5 used in the rest of the Pixel 10 series. Previous A-series models have typically used the chipset introduced with the company’s flagship devices, the prior to fall.  

A Pixel 10a with the G4 chip could offer a modest performance improvement compared to the Pixel 9a, which uses an older Exynos modem. For users, this means marginally faster for everyday tasks, but the overall change is likely insignificant for most day-to-day experiences.  

If recent CAD design leaks are accurate, the Pixel 10a closely resembles its predecessor.  

These rumored changes may not materialize, or Google may introduce other updates to its mid-range models, such as Pixel Snap or new color options. At this time, choosing a discounted Pixel 9a may be a better option for users who prioritize value, unless the Pixel 10a introduces more significant benefits.  

Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pro XL 

Internal sources indicate there will be upcoming launches of three non-folding Pixel 11 models like the Pixel 10 series:  

• The standard new Pixel 11 is codenamed Cubs.  

• The Pixel 11 Pro is Grizzly  

• The larger Pro XL is Kodiak  

While the Pixel A series may see minimal changes, the flagship models are expected to receive significant upgrades. The Tensor chipset, previously less competitive than those from Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung, and MediaTek, is reportedly moving to a 2nm production process for the Tensor G6, which could deliver noticeable improvements in speed, efficiency, and overall device responsiveness.  

Few details have emerged about the mid-range 2026 Pixel, which is expected, given the distant launch date. However, there are reports of an under-display infrared camera that could reintroduce a more secure face unlocking feature last seen in the Pixel 4.  

Significant AI upgrades are also expected, according to a 2024 leak from Google’s G-chips division. The report highlights:  

• Improved cinematic blur with 4K 30fps video support  

• Enhanced ultra-low light video  

Ultra-low light video currently relies on cloud processing, but Google plans to enable on-device processing with the Pixel 11. This change would allow users to capture high-quality nighttime videos instantly, without delays or network dependence.  

The Nano TPU in the Tensor G6 is expected to introduce machine learning-based always-on features for the Pixel 11, focusing on health tracking. These could help users monitor their health more easily and proactively, adding value beyond typical smartphone use.  

• Agonal breathing  

• Cough  

• Snore  

• Sneeze  

• Sleep apnea detection  

• Fall detection  

• Gait analysis  

• Sleep stage monitoring  

Until the key differences are confirmed, it is clear that the Pro and XL variants have consistently set themselves apart through superior screens, extra RAM, advanced photography, and faster charging. These distinctions ensure that users who choose upper-tier models benefit from enhanced visuals, performance, and convenience in their daily routines.  

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold 

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is positioned to be a notable release for Google this year, signaling the brand’s continued push into the foldable market. Its launch timing may mirror last year’s, potentially with a staggered rollout.  

Affordable devices remain in a niche market. Google appears committed to the category; a refreshed model code-named “Yogi” is listed among upcoming devices, indicating a follow-up to its foldable line.  

Currently, limited information is available. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to include the Tensor G6 processor. It will also feature associated AI enhancements found in the rest of the lineup.  

In addition to expected design improvements and an upgraded camera array, a major addition to the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is. For comparison, the Pixel 10 Pro featured 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, whereas the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro Fold provided only 10.5MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. Addressing this difference would be a welcome improvement in 2026.  

Google Pixel in 2026: Outlook 

In recent years, Google’s Pixel phones have been competitive across all price points. However, 2026 may present new challenges in its latest model summary. The Pixel 10a has the most information available and appears to offer only minor upgrades over the current version. The remaining four models are still in early development, so details are limited. Notably, a faster processor has been confirmed across all models, addressing a key demand among Pixel users who want speed and efficiency. If the Tensor G6 matches the performance of Qualcomm and Apple competitors, users could see substantial improvements in day-to-day phone performance and enjoyment in 2026.26.

At CES 2026, Intel is launching its Intel Core Ultra Series 3 mobile chips based on the recently introduced Intel Panther Lake architecture. An advancement over the previous Core Ultra 200 series is the adoption of the new XE3 Graphic Cores, which offer improved performance and efficiency. Intel also revealed plans for a future handheld console platform built on Panther Lake, with more details to come this year.  

Panther Lake brings additional non-graphics enhancements over prior generations and shifts to Intel’s 2NM18A process node for boosting performance and efficiency. Systems with Series 3 processors are already available.  

The new chips use updated names. Series 3 indicates the generation, and NX means Intel Arc B390 graphics with maximum XE3 cores. Ultra 9 and Ultra 7 versions are available; Ultra 7’s GPU was benchmarked in November.  

The Core Ultra 5 has Arc d370 graphics and no eX label. Only Arc Pro GPU performance data is available so far, and the 27-hour battery claim applies only to systems with this GPU.  

Intel announced at its CES keynote that it will formally launch its first Core Ultra Series 3 laptop processors later this month. Code-named Panther Lake, these chips are initially aimed at high-end ultra-portable PCs. They will be the first to use the Intel 18A manufacturing process. This move is part of the company’s strategy to compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).  

The launch will begin with 14 chips across five product families, which Intel expects to appear in over 200 PC designs. The first chips will be available on January 27, with additional models released throughout the first half of the year.  

The Core Ultra X9 and X7 processors feature Intel’s latest CPU and graphics processing unit designs. They include a fully enabled 12-core Intel Arc B390 iGPU and support faster LPDDR5X-9600 memory.  

Core Ultra 9 and 7 processors also use Intel’s latest CPU and GPU technologies; however, these chips include only 4 GPU cores, while the X9 and X7 have 12 GB of GPU core memory. Additionally, the Ultra 9 and 7 offer 720 PCI Express lanes compared to the X9 and X7’s 12 lanes, making the Ultra 9 and 7 better suited for dedicated GPUs. Supported memory layer types for the Ultra 9 and 7 are either LPDDR5x-8533 or DDR5-72000 DIMMs. Unlike the faster LPDDR5x-9600 memory in the X9 and X7.  

The Core Ultra 5 chips are mainly lower-end models with fewer CPU scores and either 4- or 2-core GPUs. However, the Core Ultra 5 338H stands out by featuring 12 CPU cores and a 10-core Intel Arc B370 GPU.  

What Is Panther Lake? 

Intel previously shared details about Panther Lake’s architecture late last year. In many respects, this chip Intel revealed at its CAS keynote shifts from the Lunar Lake design sold as Core Ultra 200V, which used externally manufactured chiplets and unpackaged RAM instead of DIMM slots or soldered memory. Intel stated that these adjustments are designed to save power and extend battery life, including the removal of hyper-threading support from the P-cores.  

Core Ultra 3 chips reversed some of these changes, but Intel indicated it used Lunar Lake as a baseline for power efficiency to help ensure improvements do not compromise battery life.  

As with previous Ultra Core Generations, the Core 3 Ultra Chips use a chip-like design. Several silicon tiles are combined on a base tile with Intel’s Faviros Packaging Technology.  

• The compute tile built using 18A contains the CPU cores and Neural Processing Unit. It is available in versions with up to 16 or 18 CPU cores.  

• The platform controller tile handles most I/O.  

• The High-End 12-core graphics tile is produced at TSMC.  

• A simpler four-core graphics tile uses the older Intel 3 process, which has mainly been used for Xeon server CPUs.  

This chiplet-based strategy lets Intel offer three main Panther Lake configurations:  

1. 16-core CPU with a 12-core GPU  

2. 16-core CPU with a 4-core GPU  

3. Additional models with some CPU and GPU cores disabled  

These complete the Core Ultra III series lineup.  

Intel claims the top Core Ultra 3 processors deliver up to 60% faster multi-core CPU and up to 77% faster integrated GPU performance compared to Core Ultra 200 V chips. For instance, the Core Ultra X9388H on a Lenovo Ideapad reportedly streamed Netflix at 1080p for 27.1 hours though actual battery life depends on system choices.  

All Panther Lake chips include the same Neural Processing Unit capable of up to 50 trillion operations per second. This exceeds the 40 TOPS required for Microsoft’s Co-Pilot Plus PC Label, though it is below the 60 TOPS claimed by AMD’s Ryzen AI 400 series and the 80 TOPS reported by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 chips. Key connectivity features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports. It’s a key point for Intel’s fortunes or a temporary rebound in between years of missed deadlines. (Panther Lake is a month later than Intel said it would be in October, though by its recent standards, that isn’t bad.) However, their launch later this month suggests that the company’s AT&A facilities are up and running, opening the door to third-party chip manufacturing, a pursuit former CEO Pat Gelsinger began five years ago.  

Intel 18A explained 

Intel Foundry’s latest process technology introduces RibbonFET, the industry’s first Power Via backside power delivery, enabling customers to develop innovative designs.  

Delivers up to 15% higher performance per watt and 30% greater chip density than the Intel 3 process node, enabling end-users to benefit from more powerful and efficient devices, and allowing manufacturers to produce more chips per wafer.  

For the move, this is the first sub-2nm advanced node manufactured in North America, providing customers with a reliable supplier alternative.  

PowerVia, the industry’s first backside delivery technology, increases density and cell utilization by 5 to 10% and reduces resistive power droop. This results in up to 4% improvement in ISO performance and significantly lowers the inherent resistance IR drop compared to frontside power designs.  

The RibbonFET gate-all-around (GAA) transistor technology enables precise electrical current control. It supports further miniaturization of chip components and reduces power leakage, both of which are essential for high-density chips.  

Omni-MIM capacitors significantly reduce inductive power droop, enhancing stable chip operation. This is essential for modern workloads such as Generative AI, which demand rapid, intense computational power.  

Equally important are fully supported industry-standard EDA tools and reference flows. This technology enables a smooth transition from other nodes with EDA partners providing reference flows. Customers can begin designing with PowerVia before other backside power solutions become available.  

Supported by over 35 leading ecosystem partners across EDA, IP, design services, cloud services, aerospace, and defense, this offering ensures broad customer enablement and simplifies adoption.

Peacock is the first streaming service to enable Dolby’s latest video and audio technologies widely across movies, dramas, and live sports, emphasizing its technological leadership.  

We will begin rolling out Dolby Vision, HDR video, and Dolby Atmos sound during live coverage of Saturday Night Football, NBA, and MLB games, with this rollout taking place incrementally through 2026. Additionally, Peacock plans to introduce the next generation of Dolby Vision 2 Peacock later this year, with more details on launch dates to follow.  

Peacock and Dolby also confirm that the service will use Dolby AC-4 technology, which offers audio personalization and enhanced dialogue clarity, ensuring viewers can hear every word, even amid intense background noise.  

Peacock’s comprehensive partnership with Dolby for its 2026 sports coverage aligns with a recent Dolby survey, which found that:  

• 90% of sports fans value video quality for replicating an in-person experience  

• 85% value sound quality for the same reason  

Peacock’s Dolby Enhanced Sports footage will feature brighter, more vivid colors, enhancing detail and depth. Dolby Vision 2’s advanced image and balanced balancing aims to eliminate complaints about dark HDR sports. HDR sports broadcasts deliver optimal motion performance, reducing both judder and unnatural oversmoothness during motion and camera pans.  

Why Peacock Launched First? 

Peacock became the first streaming service to launch Dolby Vision 2 for the following reasons:   

The Dolby Atmos streaming delivers immersive sound, capturing the full atmosphere of the crowd, including cheers and boos, beyond the limitations of standard TV speakers.  

Your experience with Peacock’s Dolby Enhanced Sports Coverage depends on your AV equipment. Your TV should support Dolby Vision (preferably Dolby Vision 2), and your audio system or soundbar should support Dolby Atmos. Most leading TV and studio brands already offer many of Dolby Vision’s advanced features, and the number of compatible products is expected to increase as these enhancements become more widely available.  

Peacock is raising the bar for what streaming entertainment can be, says John Kooling, senior vice president of entertainment at Dolby Laboratories. This partnership reflects our vision to push the boundaries of live sports and entertainment, delivering experiences that truly stand apart. With Dolby, Peacock stands as the premier destination for viewers who expect nothing less than exceptional entertainment at home.  

Senior Vice President of Global Video Engineering at NBC Universal, David Bohunek, meanwhile, adds that Pick Up delivers the most compelling content with the highest quality experience and unparalleled reliability. Our partnership with Dolby ensures that, whether our subscribers are streaming a thrilling playoff game, the latest Universal blockbuster, or a critically acclaimed Peacock original, they’re experiencing it exactly as the creators intended, with breathtaking picture and immersive sound that bring every moment to life.  

Peacock has not announced specific dates for the rollout of new Dolby features. However, after its CES 2026 announcement, Peacock hosted an NBA watch party that live-streamed the game in Dolby Vision HDR. With Dolby Atmos sound.  

What is Dolby Vision 2? 

Announced in late 2020-25, Dolby Vision 2 is the next generation of Dolby’s high dynamic range (HDR) technology. It launches an AI-powered content intelligence engine that optimizes picture quality for specific content types and viewing environments. Features such as precision black and light sense help align creative intent with modern TV capabilities, delivering refined detail, color, and contrast on compatible displays.  

Content Intelligence is an AI-driven system that analyzes both content and room lighting to change settings in real time. It provides:  

• Dark scene clarity  

• With precision black  

• Adapts to ambient light with Light Sense  

• Optimizes fast-moving action with Sports and Gaming Optimization  

The redesigned image engine uses advanced creative tools. It creates more detailed scene-by-scene metadata. This enables TVs to more accurately reflect the creators’ vision.  

Bi-directional tone mapping enables high-performance TVs to extend brightness and color beyond Dolby Vision v2 mastering while preserving creative intent, according to Dolby’s newsroom.  

Authentic motion found in premium versions gives filmmakers shot-by-shot control of motion handling, reducing distracting judder and avoiding the unnatural look known as the soap opera effect, as noted by The Verge and PCMag. This means smoother, more cinematic motion for viewers.  

The expanded ecosystem supports a wider range of content, including movies, TV shows, live sports, and games. It fully leverages the upgraded technology, as reported by Business World and ZDNet.  

How It Compares to Dolby Vision? 

Dolby Vision 2 is a significant upgrade featuring an AI-powered engine with content intelligence, 12-bit color, bi-directional tone mapping, and creative tools like authentic motion. These updates ensure more adaptive and immersive visuals, aligning creator intent with viewer experience. Dolby Vision 2 also improves detail in dark scenes, brightens highlights, enriches colors, clarifies motion, and includes premium options like Dolby Vision 2 Max.  

Key improvements in Dolby Vision 2 

AI-powered content intelligence: The AI system automatically modifies picture quality based on content as well as surrounding illumination conditions.  

The 12-bit color depth: supports over 68 billion colors compared to 10-bit’s 1 billion, delivering smoother gradients and more accurate colors.  

Bidirectional tone mapping enables TVs to maximize brightness and color while matching the creator’s intent, enhancing detail in both dark and bright scenes.  

Authentic Motion provides filmmakers with shot-by-shot control over motion judder to preserve cinematic intent.  

Next-Gen Image Engine: A More Powerful Processor with the TV Handles Advanced Metadata.  

Specialized tiers:  

• Standard Dolby Vision 2 (targeting mainstream devices)  

• Dolby Vision 2 Max (offering advanced motion control and brightness for premium models)  

Dolby Vision 2 relies on Content Intelligence to adjust brightness and contrast for your room, tailoring visuals to the viewing environment. In contrast, HDR10+ uses AI to boost brightness based on the display’s specifications.

Samsung unveiled massive new TVs at CES 2026, highlighting the 115-inch 4K mini-LED TV with advanced AI and a new 98-inch Samsung theFrame. These launches highlight Samsung’s focus on AI-enhanced picture quality and meet the rising demand for ultra-large home entertainment.  

115-inch Samsung QN90. 

Technology: The 115-inch Neo QLED features 4K resolution with mini-LED backlighting, providing precise contrast and brightness. The NQ8 AI Gen3 chip enables advanced upscaling and image enhancement.  

Features: The model offers an anti-glare coating, Vision AI custom settings, dedicated gaming modes, and adaptive sound for an optimized user experience.  

Experience: designed to deliver an immersive cinema-like viewing experience with exceptional detail, making it suitable for enjoying sports and movies on a large screen.  

98-Inch The frame (QLED) 

Focus: The 98-inch frame is Samsung’s largest lifestyle TV, blending artistic design with advanced technology for versatile integration into living spaces.  

Technology: Features a QLED panel with enhanced picture. Future Pro models may use Neo QLED.  

Design: The TV is designed for seamless integration with likely built-in connections to achieve a streamlined, clean appearance.  

Market Context 

Growth: Samsung sees rapid growth for screens above 98 inches. This segment may double by 2026.  

Competition: These models aim to strengthen Samsung against QLED and large-format rivals.  

Samsung announces its upcoming 2026 OLED TV lineup, introducing glare-free technology to the mid-range S90H model, with the launch expected next year.   

The company has also revealed that larger screen sizes, including the 115-inch models, will be available with its 2026 lineup.  

Samsung’s The Frame Art TV will now be offered in a 98-inch size as part of its 2026 lineup.  

At CES, Samsung unveiled its plans for the 26th TV lineup, featuring upgraded OLEDs, new lifestyle TVs, larger, longer models, and a successor to the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2. Portable projector with availability slated for next year.  

After strong results in 2025, Samsung aims to sustain standards in 2026. Initial CES 2026 news suggests the company will meet expectations.  

Samsung previously announced its Micro LED TV lineup available in the N55/65/75/85- and 100-inch sizes. These models will include the glare-free anti-reflection screen.  

The company’s latest NQ for its AI processor for TVs includes several announcements. These include:  

• Improved 4K AI upscaling  

• AI customization mode that adjusts picture settings based on detected content and your preferences  

• Auto HDR remastering, which upgrades standard dynamic range content to high dynamic range  

People enquiring who these TVs are for will help themselves by realizing why TVs are great for soccer fans, because a new AI soccer mode automatically adjusts picture and motion settings when soccer games are detected. Additional AI sound upgrades include adaptive sound and an AI sound controller, which allows separate adjustment of sound layers, such as dialogue and music.  

The new Samsung QLED 2026 flagship, the S95H, will launch this year as the successor to the Samsung S95F. The S95F features a redesigned metal frame and now uses a wireless Zero Connect box, which was introduced in last year’s lineup on select models, including the Samsung QN990F and the Frame Pro.  

The mid-range Samsung S95H, scheduled for release in 2026, will now include OLED glare-free technology, previously available only on flagship OLED and Mini-LED TVs. The entry-level S85H will be offered in a 48-inch size for the first time.  

Samsung’s 2026 Neo QLED Mini LED TV lineup will introduce larger screens, including a 115-inch Samsung QN90H (the successor to the QN90F) and a 100-inch Samsung QN80H. Both models will feature AI enhancements to improve the display of lower-resolution content on larger displays.  

Consumers considering purchasing the latest QLED TV lineups from Samsung need not worry about room size or price expectations, as Samsung offers models in a range of sizes and price points. The Frame Pro Lifestyle TV will now be available in a 55-inch size for the first time. The more affordable non-Pro Frame models will use built-in connections instead of the one connect box. Samsung is also introducing a 98-inch Frame, the largest in the series. Additionally, the 43- and 50-inch Frame models will continue to use the single Connect box.  

Therefore, consumers can rest assured that they can get the latest big-screen TVs at affordable prices, just as close to QLED TVs as possible.  

Big Size Neo QLED and QLED, Including the Frame 

Samsung has underlined its focus on larger TV sizes with several new super large models, including the 115-inch QN90H, which succeeds the five-star QN90F. The QN90F was our top-rated TV for sports in 2026. If the QN90H maintains this standard, the 115-inch model could be ideal for group sports viewing alongside the QN90H. Samsung also introduced the 100-inch QN80H, which serves as the mid-range option in the lineup.  

The new 98-inch The Frame is Samsung’s largest lifestyle and art TV to date. This model features a QLED panel and built-in connections, eliminating the need for an external one-connect box.

Two days before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, Samsung unveiled its latest Quantum Dot Organic Light Emitting Diode (QD-OLED) TV panel, which delivers higher brightness and improved picture quality compared to last year’s model. This panel is expected to feature in some of the OLED TVs Samsung will announce next week.  

Samsung Display, the display manufacturing division of Samsung Electronics, will showcase this panel at its CES 2026 booth in Las Vegas starting January 6. The new panel supports peak brightness up to 4500 nits (a measure of how much light the display emits), ranking among the brightest self-emissive displays (which generate their own light), and delivers more vivid colors than competing OLED panels (organic light-emitting diode displays).  

According to the company, the new panel adjusts peak brightness by combining the maximum outputs of each red, green, and blue (RGB) pixel. This approach results in purer colors at peak brightness.  

LG Display’s OLED panels use a white subpixel alongside red, green, and blue. This four-subpixel combination can lead to less pure colors than Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, which use only red, green, and blue for purer color output.  

Additionally, this panel is compatible with AI-based picture quality optimization technologies and features expected to appear in Samsung’s upcoming high-end TVs.  

The company’s latest LCD-based 4K television uses new backlighting technology that allows it to display a wider, more precise color range than previous models, it said on Sunday, Jan. 4. 

Samsung is also launching the next series of high-end Samsung S26 OLED TVs, as it seeks to gain a market share from LG Electronics, the current global leader in that category. LG offers deeper blacks and higher contrast than LCDs.  

Several of Samsung’s new televisions exceed the previous size standards, with some measuring over 100 inches. Super big screens continue to be the fastest-growing TV segment, and the market is expected to double in 2026, the company told reporters last month, ahead of Sunday’s announcement.  

Samsung introduced its new lineup at the CES technology conference in Las Vegas, where other leading TV manufacturers are also presenting their latest products. Last month, the company previewed part of its lineup in the CES highlights, including new Wi-Fi-enabled speakers with bold designs that position the brand to compete more directly with Sonos.  

What’s new for 2026? 

Micro RGB 

Samsung is highlighting micro-RGB technology at CES, which updates the backlighting system in LCD TVs to enhance color accuracy. Typical LCDs rely on either a white or blue backlight, limiting color purity and realism, the company said in the media briefing.  

The Samsung Micro RGB employs an entirely new structure with smaller individual red, green, and blue LEDs. It added that this change significantly improves color reproduction.  

Samsung introduced the 115-inch Micro RGB TV in September at $30,000, a price beyond most consumers’ budgets. In 2026, the company will offer this display technology in smaller sizes from 55 to 130 inches, though pricing has not been announced. The technology delivers precise color reproduction and exceptional clarity, but these models will still cost significantly more than Samsung’s mainstream OLED and Neo OLED sets, which use conventional mini-LED backlighting.  

Oled 

For many home theater enthusiasts, OLED TVs remain unmatched in black levels and contrast, as each pixel can be turned off for dark scenes. This results in more immersive viewing, especially in low-light rooms. Samsung re-entered the OLED market in 2022 after years of focusing on LCD sets, increasing competition with LG, the established leader in OLED technology.  

Samsung differentiates itself from its South Korean competitor by offering glare-free displays that significantly reduce reflections, ensuring clearer images in bright rooms, and Quantum Dot OLED panels from Samsung Display, which maintain vibrant colors even at peak brightness for a more vivid picture.  

For the 2026 Samsung OLED lineup, Samsung introduced minor exterior design updates to its flagship Samsung S95H OLED model. The company also increased brightness by 35% over the previous generation, making the TV suitable for well-lit rooms and enhancing the viewing experience. Brightness has become a key focus for TV manufacturers as premium OLED televisions were often not suitable for recent years.  

The S90 series now features a low-reflection screen, improving comfort for viewers in bright environments, and offers 15% increased luminance according to Samsung, resulting in clearer images.  

AI 

AI will remain central to Samsung TVs, as with last year’s models, the new sets support multiple AI agents that assist users in finding content, summarizing episodes, planning trips, or answering questions. Supporting assistants include Samsung’s Bixby, Microsoft’s AI, and Perplexity’s AI.  

Samsung is expanding software features that automatically adjust picture and sound settings, eliminating the need for advanced menu navigation. 

The new AI sound controller allows users to independently adjust the volume of dialogue, music, or sound effects on this year’s TVs.  

Lifestyle TVs 

Samsung also announced some tweaks to the frame. It’s a wall art-style TV and the higher-priced Frame Pro that first debuted at last year’s CES. Neither introduces any notable image quality upgrades this year, even as the company faces a growing wave of competition that now includes LG.  

Instead, Samsung is dramatically upsizing the frame with a new 98-inch version. In contrast with OLED vs. 2025 models, the standard frame will also have its HDMI inputs and other hardware built directly on the TV set. Previously, Samsung included a device called the One Connect box to hide those wires, with a single thin cable running up to the screen.