Another instalment of CES is done, and this year, it felt like every other brand decided to make smart glasses or smart rings. I saw all variations of AI, AR, and XR glasses, and while some clearly have a lot of potential (as you’ll see later in this post), most of the products weren’t quite up to scratch.
Thankfully, I got to see plenty of great products, including phones, audio gear, accessories, and a smattering of AI-assisted tech. So let’s take a look at what stood out at CES 2026.
Best Android phone (flagship): Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
There was only ever going to be one winner this year. Samsung showcased the Galaxy Z TriFold at the event ahead of its launch in the U.S., and the unique foldable is praise-worthy in its own right. It is being sold in limited quantities, and the retail pricing is incredulously high, but as a showcase of what’s possible with mobile tech, there really is no phone better.
This is my second time testing the TriFold — I used it at a Dubai mall last month — and it felt much better this time around. The phone is just as polished as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and it doesn’t feel like a tech demo at all. The added real estate is great when it comes to consuming entertainment, and although the panel has higher glare than the Z Fold 7, it is just great to be able to take a regular-sized phone and turn it into a 10-inch tablet.
Best Android phone (budget): TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro
TCL’s NXTPAPER tech is just fabulous, and the brand showcased the 70 Pro in Las Vegas. It retains the same panel that’s designed to be easier on the eyes, and I like how it feels to use. The phone itself is a decent budget choice, but the unique panel makes it stand out.
Best concept: TDM Neo
TDM is a new manufacturer that has a highly interesting idea: a headset that twists into a speaker. It’s dubbed the Neo, and at an initial glance, it’s just a headset like any other — it weighs about the same as well. But you can twist both ear cups inwards, and it turns into a Bluetooth speaker.
I haven’t seen anything like it, and the Neo does a good job both as a headset and speaker. It isn’t quite in production yet, but it is one of those ideas that I’d like to see in a consumer device.
Best wearable: XGIMI Memo One
There’s no doubt that XGIMI makes the best projectors. At CES, the brand introduced MemoMind, a new series of stylish smart glasses. There are several variants available, but the one I like is Memo One, which has a built-in display and a high amount of customization, and did I say it was stylish?
Best accessory: Anker Nano Charger 45W
The Nano looks like a regular charger, but it has a unique 180-degree foldable design, and it ensures that the charger is facing up no matter what orientation you use it in. It’s a small tweak, but one that makes using the product so much better. I’m predicting we’ll see most other charging brands will introduce something similar soon.
Best AI innovation: NVIDIA Remix Logic
NVIDIA’s Remix tech gives old games a visual overhaul, and the brand showcased a demo of its newest feature, Remix Logic. The new mode interacts with game scenarios to greater extent, and it gives game modders even greater flexibility and control in customizing in-game environments. Remix Logic is the best utilization of AI I’ve seen at CES this year, and as someone who enjoys old games, I’m just excited NVIDIA is building out this tech.
Best VR/XR device: Even Realities G2
Even Realities isn’t chasing the latest trends in smart glasses — it’s setting out on its own path, and that’s what I like about the G2 the most. The glasses don’t look like a tech product, but you still get waveguided lenses that project notifications and relevant data from your phone. It’s a great product, and I was constantly asked about the glasses as I was walking around the show floor.
