CES 2026 opening night recap: All the early news you missed from Samsung and LG

CES 2026 kicked off early with pre-show events setting the stage for the week of tech innovation. Samsung's First Look event showcased AI's impact on future products, emphasizing adaptive experiences across TVs and home appliances. New TVs like the 130-inch Micro RGB model and enhanced features aimed at intelligent content discovery were highlighted. The Freestyle+ portable projector received upgrades, enhancing picture quality and integration with immersive audio features. The company also unveiled the Music Studio wireless speakers and showcased innovative display strategies with QD-OLED panels. Software updates, like Google Photos integration on Samsung TVs, were introduced to improve user experience. CES Unveiled offered a sneak peek at smaller companies' offerings, focusing on AI-assisted hardware for daily routines. LG also unveiled display advancements, including the ultra-thin Wallpaper OLED evo W6 TV with enhanced features. LG's display lineup also includes a 27-inch OLED gaming panel and the Gallery TV, designed to compete with art-style screens. Early announcements from Samsung and LG signaled a shift in the news cycle before the show. The Sunday announcements served as a prelude to press day and the official opening of CES on January 6th.