CES has always been about showing what’s possible with technology. At Samsung’s First Look session for CES 2026, the company leaned into that idea—not by unveiling a single hero product, but by showing how its entire ecosystem can work as one.

Samsung showcased plenty of familiar hardware. Robot vacuums. Washer-dryer combos. The Frame TVs. Even the attention-grabbing Galaxy Z Trifold made an appearance. But the real focus wasn’t any one device.

It was how all of these products connect end-to-end—and how easily they can be controlled through a Samsung Galaxy phone or watch.

This is what Samsung now calls its vision of being a “companion to AI living,” and at CES 2026, it was less about futuristic promises and more about everyday flow.

AI as an ecosystem, not a feature

At The First Look, Samsung framed AI not as a checkbox feature, but as a foundation that runs across mobile, displays, home appliances, and services. The idea is simple: devices shouldn’t feel like separate tools. They should behave like one system that understands routines, preferences, and context.

That theme carried across the exhibition floor, where displays showed how TVs talk to kitchen appliances, how wearables feed into home routines, and how SmartThings quietly connects it all in the background.

Samsung executives positioned this scale as the company’s advantage. With hundreds of millions of connected SmartThings users worldwide, the ecosystem has enough real-world data to move AI from reactive to assistive—and, eventually, proactive.

The TV becomes an active companion

On the display side, Samsung’s vision pushes TVs beyond passive viewing. The company introduced Vision AI Companion, a system designed to guide what you watch, listen to, and even eat—based on what’s on screen and what’s happening around you.

At the center of the showcase was the massive 130-inch Micro RGB display, a statement piece that set the tone for Samsung’s 2026 TV lineup. But more interesting than its size or picture quality was how Samsung wants users to interact with their screens.

From adjusting sound levels during sports broadcasts to pulling up recipes inspired by a cooking show, the TV becomes a hub for lifestyle decisions. Those recommendations can then be sent directly to other devices—like kitchen appliances or mobile screens—without breaking the flow.

Samsung also confirmed that its 2026 TVs will support seven years of Tizen OS upgrades, positioning the TV as a long-term platform rather than a disposable display.

When appliances start doing the thinking

In the home, Samsung’s AI push focused on reducing friction in daily chores. The upgraded Family Hub refrigerator now uses AI Vision powered by Google Gemini to better track food items as they go in and out, making meal planning more automatic.

Features like “What’s for Today?” turn the fridge into a decision-maker, suggesting meals based on what’s available—or offering something random when you’re tired of choosing. Those recipes can then be sent to connected cooking appliances, creating a surprisingly smooth loop from planning to execution.

Laundry and cleaning also got similar treatment. The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo removes the need to transfer loads, while the AirDresser tackles wrinkles with minimal effort. Even the robot vacuum now doubles as a home monitor, capable of recognizing spills, navigating intelligently, and responding to conversational voice commands.

It’s all designed to make the background tasks of daily life fade into the background even more.

From reactive care to proactive wellness

Samsung also outlined a longer-term vision for health, where phones, wearables, and home devices work together to spot patterns before they become problems.

The company highlighted future plans around personalized exercise and sleep coaching, nutrition suggestions tied to what’s in your fridge, and early detection of potential health concerns. If something looks off, the system could alert users and connect them with healthcare providers through integrated platforms.

It’s an ambitious shift—from reacting to health issues to preventing them—and one that leans heavily on trust, data security, and accuracy.

Security as the quiet backbone

Underpinning the entire ecosystem is Samsung Knox and Knox Matrix, which the company positions as essential to making AI feel personal without feeling invasive. As AI models evolve, Samsung says its security systems are evolving alongside them, focusing on protecting data not just in use, but also during training and processing.

It’s a necessary reassurance, especially as AI becomes more embedded in private spaces like homes, kitchens, and bedrooms.

Tech, culture, and the Samsung brand

Ahn Hyo Seop at Samsung’s First Look event for CES 2026

The event also leaned into culture as part of the experience. Actor Ahn Hyo Seop (KPop Demon Hunters, Business Proposal) appeared as Samsung’s TV ambassador, while K-pop elements were woven throughout the exhibition. Several displays featured the Studio Choom performance of IVE’s “XOXZ.” One of their members — Jang Wonyoung — is a long-time Samsung Galaxy ambassador.

It was a reminder that Samsung’s vision of AI living isn’t just about efficiency—it’s also about entertainment, identity, and how technology fits into modern lifestyles.

A quieter, more confident CES message

At CES 2026, Samsung didn’t try to win attention with one loud announcement. Instead, it presented a calmer, more cohesive idea: that the future of AI isn’t a single breakthrough device, but a network of products that understand each other—and, ideally, you.

If Samsung can make that ecosystem feel as seamless in real homes as it did on the CES floor, “AI living” might finally start to feel less like a buzzword and more like a daily convenience.