CES 2026, Decoded: Futuresource Report Puts the Show in Perspective

What did CES 2026 tell us about our industry? It generated thousands of headlines, countless product launches and no shortage of expert analyses. But when the lights dim and the show floor clears, understanding what matters requires more than first impressions and a grasp of the technologies.

Spanning 27 in-depth pages, Futuresource Consulting’s new, free CES 2026 show report focuses on what the Las Vegas show revealed about the commercial realities, technology trajectories and strategic pressures shaping consumer electronics and entertainment in the year ahead.

“Every CES produces a barrage of commentary,” says Dave Watkins, Head of Consumer Electronics and Entertainment at Futuresource Consulting. “What makes this report different is that we’re contextualising the show. Our role is to explain how it all fits together, and how it sits within longer-term market dynamics. It’s about separating the short-term excitement from the long-term significance. From there, we demonstrate what that means for businesses making decisions right now.”

Beyond the CES headlines and the hype

CES 2026 attracted close to 150,000 attendees, up 5% year-on-year, marking the show’s largest post-pandemic turnout. While the scale of the event remains unmatched, Futuresource argues that this year’s CES was defined less by breakout moments and more by directional forethought.

AI was everywhere, but the focus shifted towards practical deployment; particularly at the edge, as vendors grapple with cost, power consumption and monetisation. Hardware innovation continues, but Futuresource’s analysis highlights a deeper story around commoditisation, platform control and the growing influence of software-led ecosystems. Meanwhile, in connected TV, automotive and smart environments, control of the user experience increasingly defines commercial power.

Audio and display technologies reflected similar patterns. Immersive formats are advancing, but flexibility, software integration and ease of use are becoming just as important as raw performance. In emerging categories such as smart glasses and robotics there’s also a longer-term convergence between consumer, enterprise and mobility ecosystems.

CES 2026 in context

The Futuresource report draws on decades of market tracking, forecasting and primary research. It connects show-floor announcements to real-world adoption, pricing pressures, replacement cycles and shifting value chains. These are the foundations that reveal where commercial freedoms and frictions are likely to appear next.

Futuresource Consulting’s free CES 2026 show report covers:

·         AI, edge intelligence and robotics in consumer devices

·         Home and personal audio innovation and immersive formats

·         Smartphones, tablets and wearables

·         Display technology trajectories, from OLED to MicroLED

·         Connected TV platforms, content discovery and monetisation

·         Automotive experiences and in-cabin technology

·         Smart glasses, XR, gaming and emerging form factors

Each section distils what Futuresource analysts observed on the ground, layered with market insight that goes beyond the show itself.

“For anyone who attended CES, this report helps make sense of what they saw,” says Watkins. “And for those who didn’t, it delivers the commercial story behind the spectacle.”

The 27-page CES 2026 Futuresource show report is free to download now, offering a clear-eyed view of where CE innovation is heading, and what it means once the buzz subsides.

About Futuresource

Futuresource Consulting provides the insights that power the world’s leading technology and media companies. For more than 30 years the firm has combined rigorous data, sector expertise and a forward-looking view of market change. Its syndicated research, consulting services and industry partnerships span consumer electronics, entertainment, Pro AV, education and emerging technologies.

www.futuresource-consulting.com

Press Contact: Nicola Finn, Marketing Manager, Futuresource Consulting, nicola.finn@futuresource-hq.com