What We Expect to See at CES 2023

CES has been a subdued affair in recent years, thanks to pandemic-related restrictions. Omicron wreaked havoc on CES 2022, with top players dropping out at the last minute and publications like PCMag opting not to send staff to Las Vegas to cover the show in person. That's set to change this year. We're back in action, and (mostly) ready to battle the masses for access to the latest innovations on the floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center and in hotel ballrooms and suites across the city. Here's what we expect to see at CES 2023.

This year's new laptop models are expected to feature the latest hardware from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia. AMD has already tipped its next-gen Ryzen laptop CPUs, while Intel is expected to soon release mobile versions of 13th Generation laptop CPUs with a hybrid architecture that includes full-power Performance cores and lower-power Efficient cores. Desktop versions of these chips hit the street in the second half of 2022, so mobile versions on both AMD and Intel sides of the aisle are inevitable. For Intel, these laptop-class "Raptor Lake" chips should be available in the U, P, H, and HX series in 2023; for AMD, the view is less clear, but the company's "Phoenix" and "Dragon Range" Ryzen 7000 mobile CPUs are coming, and are slated to employ a new naming scheme. CES could be a proper launching pad for both.

When that happens (at CES, or not), in the coming months we expect to see all sorts of laptops—from sleek ultraportables to beefy gaming notebooks—come to market with these new processors, touting benefits like faster performance and longer battery life. While these launches may stretch out over weeks or months, we expect major manufacturers to announce several of these new systems during CES.

A scheduled "special address" by Nvidia at the show suggests that there might also be new GPU hardware coming to laptops this year. While no details have been announced, it did use last year's CES to announce laptop models of the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and 3070 Ti. New mobile GPUs might be announced, and would likely be included in any new laptops coming out of the show. But bearing in mind that only RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 desktop cards have launched so far, it will be interesting to see if mobile versions of these hit the market, and how they will equate, given the desktop chips' massive power draws.

Screens may be getting bigger and faster this year, too. We know that Alienware is readying an 18-inch gaming laptop, and that larger screen will likely bring with it better picture quality, with updates like 4K resolution and high refresh rates for gaming. We've even seen early news of a 600Hz laptop display, though we don't think anything quite so extreme is coming to this year's laptops.

Last year's display innovations even changed laptop designs to accommodate folding screens, as seen on the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold OLED. That said, we didn't see a flood of other folding designs in 2022, so we have to wonder if they will gain steam at CES 2023, or just prove to be a minor fad.

Finally, while CES is known as a venue for showing off some of the most outlandish designs and features in laptops, as companies jockey for higher-profile coverage and a bigger wow factor to build excitement for the year ahead, this year's CES might be scaling that back. As manufacturers account for new economic pressures and changing buying behaviors, it's possible that flashy CES announcements may be losing their shine for laptop makers. We'll see! —Brian Westover, Lead Analyst, Hardware

The end of 2022 was one of the busiest seasons we’ve seen in many years for PC components. Not only did we see the launch of AMD's "Zen 4"-based Ryzen 7000-series processors and Intel's 13th Gen Raptor Lake Core processors, along with new motherboards and chipsets to support both product lines, but we were also treated to new graphics cards.

First, Intel released its first serious attempt to enter the graphics card market with its Alchemist based Arc A770 (plus a lesser A750), then Nvidia fired back with its immensely powerful GeForce RTX 4090 and GeForce RTX 4080. AMD, of course, couldn't sit idle while this was going on and released its Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Radeon RX 7900 XT flagship GPUs just before the holidays.

With the exception of Intel's Arc A770 and A750 graphics cards, all of these new components launched by AMD, Intel, and Nvidia thus far have been cutting-edge pieces of hardware that push the limits of what we can expect to see from (and pay for) modern-day PC parts. It's been an exciting few months, but what we haven't seen yet is anything (other than the Arc A770) that we’d remotely consider "budget"-class. The lowest price we’ve seen on one of these new CPUs is the $299 AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, and the lowest on a new GPU has been the $899 AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT.

Given that all of the parts we’ve seen so far have been higher-end ones, it's only a matter of time before we see AMD, Intel, and Nvidia push out lower-end, budget-friendlier components. For example, we have yet to see any non-"K"-series desktop CPUs in Intel's Raptor Lake line yet, and surely both AMD and Intel will eventually remember they make Ryzen 3 and Core i3 processors at some point, too! (Or, at least we hope they do.)

It's a similar situation in the GPU market, as AMD and Nvidia are certainly well aware that most folks will not spend anything close to $1,000 (or more) on a new graphics card. If you’ve been waiting for parts like these to come out, then keep an eye out during CES. It's likely you will see something from at least one of these companies, if not all of them. —Michael Sexton, Junior Analyst for PCs & Hardware

Throughout 2022, we've seen the continued expansion into monitors of panel technologies beyond traditional LED. As prices for these panels have come down, they have made greater inroads, in gaming, professional, and productivity monitors, and have even made their way into some higher-end portable monitors.

Dell launched the first monitors—the UltraSharp U2723QE and U3223QE(Opens in a new window)—using LG's IPS Black technology, which effectively doubles the contrast ratio of traditional in-plane switching (IPS) panels. LG and HP have since released their own IPS Black monitors. We can expect more at CES 2023, and in the coming year.

One of the pandemic's few silver linings has been the inroads of video-conferencing technology into displays, too, in teleconferencing monitors such as the HP E27m G4 and Philips 329P1H These provide a better audiovisual experience than typical laptops by including powerful speakers, dual microphones, and high-resolution webcams. Expect to see further improvements in teleconferencing monitors at CES and beyond.

Higher resolutions than 4K have existed for some time, but those higher resolutions may become more commonplace, and we expect the option for better-than-4K native resolutions to start making their way into professional monitors and the like. In the gaming space, LG and Dough have both announced 1440p OLEDs, which on paper sound ideal for gamers who value performance over raw resolution. Considering how expensive GPUs have become and continue to be, the lower-resolution OLEDs are a sure way to get a better picture out of lower-end and mid-grade hardware. —Zackery Cuevas, Junior Analyst, and Tony Hoffman, Senior Analyst

The big number at CES 2023 for the PC storage world will probably be "5"—not 5G, which has dominated the tech consciousness the past couple of years, but 5.0, specifically PCI Express 5.0. With both major PC CPU makers, AMD and Intel, now on current-generation desktop platforms that support PCI Express 5.0 (Ryzen 7000 and 13th Generation Raptor Lake, respectively), we expect to see the first wave of consumer PCI Express 5.0-capable SSDs hitting the market in 2023. What better venue than CES to show off the vanguard?

PCI Express 4.0 already offers a lot of storage throughout for everyday users, though. And PCI Express 3.0, with a lower ceiling than 4.0, still dominates in older systems eligible for storage upgrades. Why the excitement, then, about 5.0?

It's mostly about sheer speed, really. With data transfers of up to 13,000MB per second, that's double the peak potential of PCI Express 4.0 drives. Another wrinkle: With speeds that fast, it could be possible for drive makers to dial back the number of PCI Express lanes used by their drives and still achieve speeds comparable to 4.0 (which is to say, still very, very fast).

Storage makers Apacer, Corsair, and Gigabyte/Aorus have already teased 5.0-capable drives in 2022. We expect to see a bunch more in Las Vegas as SSD storage shifts into overdrive...once again. —John Burek, Executive Editor & Lab Director

Following the recent launch of Matter, excitement about the future of the smart home market has never been higher. Backed by Amazon, Apple, and Google, the industry-wide Matter standard aims to break down walled gardens and foster interoperability among smart home devices, regardless of brand, so you can seamlessly control them via your platform of choice.

Until now, Matter has been a buzzword and nebulous vendor promises, but we're finally starting to see some real movement. At CES, we expect to hear about newly certified Matter products across the following supported categories: bridges, controllers, door locks, thermostats and other HVAC controllers, lighting and electrical, media devices, safety and security sensors, and window coverings and shades. Vendors will also be talking about their progress and plans to add Matter support to existing devices through over-the-air updates.

Based on early buzz, sustainability will be a big theme of this year's CES (as it was at IFA), so keep an eye out for new energy- and water-saving smart home devices. Large and small home appliances are always a CES staple, and we're sure to see new connected models from brands like LG and Samsung.

Last year's CES ushered exciting innovation in the floor-cleaning robot market, with premium models from Ecovacs and Roborock that can not only empty their own dustbins, but also wash their own mopping cloths. This year, we're hoping to see automatic mop-washing abilities trickle down to under-$1,000 models, as well as some new cleaning innovations like window-washing and stair-climbing bots. —Angela Moscaritolo, Senior Analyst, Fitness and Smart Home

If you're starting a new-year fitness journey, or just looking to upgrade your existing workout gear, don't wait until CES to start exploring your options.

Most major players in the smartwatch and fitness tracker markets—including Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, and Polar—already refreshed their lineups ahead of the 2022 holiday shopping season. Among the hottest wrist-based wearables of the season are Google's first-ever smartwatch, the Pixel Watch; the rugged, jet-ski-friendly Apple Watch Ultra; and the health-focused Fitbit Sense 2.

With the exception of Apple, which never has a booth at CES, all the major wearable device makers will be on hand showing off their latest models. We just hope Garmin has hired security guards to protect the $2,100 MARQ Adventurer (gen 2)(Opens in a new window) luxury smartwatch, which will make its US trade show debut at CES.

While we don't expect any major smartwatch or fitness tracker debuts, we are hearing about some new budget-friendly wearables from lesser-known brands that may be of interest. We're also excited to check out a wide range of other digital health solutions headed to the show, including fitness-tracking glasses, blood pressure monitors, and devices designed to help improve sleep and reduce stress.

As for home gym equipment, Peloton just launched its first-ever rowing machine, so it probably won't have any major announcements at CES, but we may see new models from connected fitness competitors. Echelon lit up last year's show with its Tron-inspired EX-8S smart stationary bike, the buzziest fitness machine of CES 2022. —Angela Moscaritolo

CES isn't usually a huge event for smartphones and tablets—most of the big players like Apple, Samsung, and Google hold their own events to announce the latest devices, which leaves CES out in the cold. However, that doesn't mean there won't be any phones on display, as the smaller companies will show off their mobile wares.

Perhaps the most talked-about device is the Motorola-Lenovo ThinkPhone. As The Tech Outlook reports(Opens in a new window), the phone looks to have a physical style that resembles the beloved Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. It's rumored to feature a 144Hz 6.6-inch POLED display, a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, and a 50MP main camera, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. Price wasn't leaked, so we’ll have to wait until CES to find out more. Outside of Lenovo, things have otherwise been quiet in the buildup to CES on the phone and tablet front. —Dave LeClair, Analyst, Mobile

Meta already made its big announcement about its new prosumer VR headset, the Meta Quest Pro, in late 2022, and while it's confirmed an upgraded consumer-priced Meta Quest 3 is on the way, we likely won't see any information about it until spring.

But while Meta is the biggest name in VR headsets, it certainly isn't the only one. HTC Vive or Valve could potentially have some news at CES. Windows Mixed Reality has floundered next to Meta/Oculus and SteamVR-compatible headsets, but we might see some new consumer VR systems from some unexpected companies.

Augmented reality (AR) headsets have seen little success outside of specific medical, military, and technical applications, but each year we get closer to seeing some form of AR glasses that everyday users can afford and tolerate to wear regularly. Expect to see a few evolutionary steps in AR display technology that might not come to consumers immediately, but will provide a more affordable and comfortable experience when they eventually do. —Will Greenwald, Lead Analyst, Consumer Electronics

CES is turning into the country's biggest car show, with 25% more convention floor space dedicated to vehicles for CES 2023 than in 2022. Most will be electric vehicles and chargers; a testament to the convergence between the tech and automotive industries, and the emergence of the "software-defined" vehicle.

Companies like Google, Qualcomm, Panasonic, Microsoft, and Sony will all feature vehicle technology at their booths (or at their automotive partners' booths). These partnerships are bringing gaming into cars, improved safety and LiDAR sensor technology, awesome sound systems, and multiple touch screens per vehicle. Hope you didn't like physical buttons too much, because they’re on their way out.

Some exciting new EVs are set to be announced as well. Stellantis will show of(Opens in a new window)f its Ram 1500 Revolution EV concept ahead of a 2024 debut. Pricing hasn't been announced, but there's speculation(Opens in a new window) that it could arrive in the $40,000 range. Can it unseat the Ford F-150 Lightning for most popular electric pickup?

New EV brands are also debuting EVs at CES. Honda and Sony have teamed up to create a new company—Honda Sony Mobility—with a focus on entertainment-rich driving, courtesy of Sony's vast content library. Pre-orders aren't expect until 2025, with the first deliveries in 2026, but we may get more details during Sony's Jan. 4 CES press conference, during which "Sony Honda Mobility will join us on the stage," Sony tweeted(Opens in a new window) last month. The press conference begins at 5 p.m. PT, and you can watch live in the video below:

VinFast, a Vietnamese EV startup, returns to CES following delivery of its first 999 vehicles to the US. Plus, a new EV startup out of Canada, known as Project Arrow(Opens in a new window), will debut its first vehicle, too.

Meanwhile, be on the lookout for solar-powered cars and lots of autonomous vehicles. Saturday, Jan. 6 is also the Indy Autonomous Challenge featuring university teams racing their custom-built autonomous vehicles around a track. —Emily Dreibelbis, Reporter

The current TV technology situation is that 8K exists, but it still hasn't really arrived. 4K remains the standard ceiling for all consumer content, and there isn't any real pipeline for new shows and movies to come to home theaters in 8K yet. This doesn't mean 8K TVs don't exist, though. That cat jumped out of the bag a few years ago, and we’ll keep seeing 8K as the ultra-high-end, early adopter models some major TV manufacturers will offer. Keep in mind that we don't recommend buying one yet, though, and if you do get one you’ll be relying almost exclusively on that specific TV's 8K upconverting capabilities from lower resolutions, with no real native content.

Outside of 8K, both OLED and mini LED technology are picking up steam. Samsung has jumped onto the OLED train and (along with LG, Sony, and likely Vizio) that panel technology will keep being a premium option for its fantastic colors and contrast. Mini LED backlight systems for LCD TVs are also becoming standard for flagship TVs from most major brands, and we’ve seen some incredible progress in that field with light bloom and haze getting reduced so much that we could describe a few mini LED TVs as offering effectively perfect black levels like OLEDs. These two technologies will continue to represent the high-end projects of most big TV makers. —Will Greenwald

CES 2023 officially runs from Jan. 5 to 8, though big exhibitors will host press events on Jan. 3 and 4. Stay tuned to our CES hub for all the latest news.

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