CES 2026 brought a fresh wave of televisions, audio equipment and home cinema technology to Las Vegas this January. For anyone considering an upgrade to their living room setup, this year’s Consumer Electronics Show offered plenty to get excited about. We’ve pulled together the key announcements that matter most for UK buyers, focusing on the brands and products you’ll actually find in shops later this year.
What’s New at CES 2026
The big talking point this year was a technology called RGB Mini LED. This is a new type of screen backlighting that promises brighter pictures with more accurate colours. Both Samsung and LG announced televisions using this technology, and we’d expect to see them arriving in the UK from spring onwards.
OLED televisions also received notable upgrades. OLED still remains the gold standard for picture quality, particularly in darker viewing conditions, and the latest models are brighter than ever before.
Samsung Television Highlights
Samsung’s flagship S95H OLED television caught our attention with its redesigned appearance. It’s built to sit almost flush against a wall, making it a smart choice for properties where a bulky TV may look out of place. Samsung claims a 35% brightness improvement over last year’s model, which should make a noticeable difference for daytime viewing.
The company also showed off its new Micro RGB televisions which use tiny coloured LEDs to create the picture. These promise exceptional colour accuracy and will be available in sizes up to 130 inches, ideal for dedicated home cinema rooms where you want the biggest screen without a projector.
LG Television Highlights
LG’s popular C-series received an upgrade this year, though with a caveat. The C6 is available from 42 to 83 inches, but only the larger 77 and 83-inch models (branded C6H) get the brighter Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel technology.
This is the same panel found in last year’s premium G5, so it’s a meaningful step up for these larger sizes. The smaller C6 models use standard WOLED panels similar to last year’s C5. All sizes benefit from LG’s new Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor.
The return of LG’s Wallpaper television is particularly interesting. The W6 measures just 9mm thick and connects wirelessly to a separate box that houses all your inputs. This box can be positioned up to 10 metres away, meaning no cables running across your walls. For listed buildings or homes where cable management is challenging, this could be a genuine problem-solver. Our installation teams have worked in plenty of homes where a solution like this would make life considerably easier.
LG also introduced The Gallery TV, their answer to Samsung’s Frame range. It’s designed to display artwork when not in use, blending into your living space rather than dominating it.
Audio and Home Cinema
Samsung launched two new soundbars. The HW-Q990F is an update to their award-winning flagship system, while the new HW-QS90H is designed as an all-in-one solution. The QS90H doesn’t require a separate subwoofer, which keeps things tidy for those who prefer a minimalist setup.
LG’s Sound Suite system is developed with Dolby, it uses a technology called FlexConnect that lets you position wireless speakers wherever works best for your room, rather than following strict placement rules. The system then adjusts itself automatically. We’d see this working well in homes where traditional surround sound layouts simply aren’t practical.
Hi-Fi and Turntables
British brand Cambridge Audio unveiled their new L/R Series active speakers, available in three sizes. These combine streaming capabilities with traditional connections, including a built-in phono stage for turntable users. The flagship L/R X supports high-resolution audio and works with services like Tidal, Spotify and Apple AirPlay.
Audio-Technica’s new AT-LP7X turntable looks promising for vinyl enthusiasts. It’s a belt-drive design with a built-in phono stage, making it straightforward to connect to active speakers or an existing hi-fi system. Priced around £679, it sits at a sensible point for anyone serious about their record collection.
Onkyo is celebrating its 80th anniversary with the new Muse series of streaming amplifiers. These compact units combine amplification with built-in streaming, phono stages and HDMI connections. They’re due in May and could be a solution for smaller rooms where a full system isn’t practical.
The More Unusual Announcements
CES wouldn’t be complete without some left-field products. This year’s highlights included a robot vacuum that can climb stairs (the Dreame Cyber X uses caterpillar tracks to navigate between floors) and lollipops that play music through your jawbone using bone conduction technology. We don’t expect to be stocking these any time soon!
What About Sony and Panasonic?
Sony typically announces its television range in spring rather than at CES, so we’re expecting news in the coming months. Panasonic didn’t attend this year’s show. We’ll update you on both brands as announcements are made.
Looking Ahead
Most products announced at CES 2026 will arrive in the UK between spring and autumn. If you’re planning an upgrade or a new installation, it’s worth having a conversation about timing.
With over 60 years of experience helping customers in Bath and the South West, we’re always happy to talk through the options. Whether you’re after a straightforward television upgrade or a complete home cinema installation, we can help you work out what’s right for your space and budget.
