CES 2026 Highlights: 7 Gadgets We’d Buy Now — What Mobile Shoppers Should Know

CES 2026 Highlights: 7 Gadgets We’d Buy Now — What Mobile Shoppers Should Know

Hook: Tired of juggling dozens of phone models, weird chargers, and accessories that don’t actually make your phone life easier? CES 2026 delivered a focused crop of gadgets that solve the real pain points mobile shoppers face — better displays for phone-as-PC workflows, compact speakers with real battery life, smart lighting that pairs with your phone scenes, and accessories that finally follow the same standards your handset uses. We curated the ZDNET CES picks with one lens: what complements your phone in everyday use.

Quick take — the 7 CES picks mobile shoppers should care about

• Large, affordable desktop monitor with USB-C/Display support — ideal for phone-as-desktop workflows (DeX, wired mirror, or USB-C alt mode).
• Portable USB-C OLED monitor — second screen for streaming, mobile editing, and travel productivity. If you shoot product photos or run a small studio, check ideas for compact studios and device ecosystems in Tiny Home Studios and Device Ecosystems for Product Photography in 2026.
• Multiport USB-C dock with PD and 4K/120Hz support — makes your phone a laptop replacement on the go. Creator-focused tool stacks and docking setups are explored in the Creator Toolbox.
• Portable high‑fidelity Bluetooth micro speaker — pocketable sound that pairs instantly with phones. For kitchen and small-room speaker recommendations, see Best Bluetooth Micro Speakers for the Kitchen.
• RGBIC smart lamp with Matter and app scenes — ambience and phone-integrated automations. Practical tips for using RGBIC lamps to set mood and light for photos and scenes are covered in Set the Mood: Using RGBIC Smart Lamps.
• GaN PD power bank with passthrough and fast charging — modern power that handles both phones and laptops. If you sometimes need much larger portable power for extended sessions or off-grid staging, compare portable power stations to understand tradeoffs: Jackery HomePower 3600 vs EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max.
• Matter-ready smart-home hub / mesh Wi‑Fi 6E/7 router — lowers latency for phone streaming and keeps smart accessories unified.

Why these picks? The ZDNET seal of real-world testing

ZDNET’s CES selections are built on hours of testing, vendor briefings, and review data from early units. We used ZDNET’s process as our starting point and pared the list down to items that directly improve phone experiences — not just flashy gadgets. As ZDNET notes, their recommendations are based on independent testing and real-user feedback, which helps separate marketing demos from things you’d actually want on your desk or in your bag.

“ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice.” — ZDNET (paraphrased)

Trend context — what changed by CES 2026

Before we dive into each gadget, here are the macro trends that make these accessories especially useful right now:

• USB-C standardization is widespread. Following regulations and industry shifts from 2023–2025, nearly all mainstream phones now ship with USB-C ports that support power delivery and many support DisplayPort Alt Mode or USB4 for external displays.
• Matter became a default for smart homes in 2024–2025. By early 2026, many smart lamps and hubs advertise Matter compatibility — which matters (pun intended) when you want consistent control from your phone.
• GaN chargers and PD 3.1 fast charging are the norm for portable power banks and wall chargers — they deliver smaller size with high power output to charge phones fast and handle larger devices when needed.
• Mobile-first workflows have matured. With more apps optimized for external displays and features like Samsung DeX or third‑party desktop shells, phones increasingly act as the only computer many people need — provided they have the right dock or monitor. For hybrid hosts and creators running portable production, see the Hybrid Studio Playbook for Live Hosts.
• Wi‑Fi 6E and Wi‑Fi 7 adoption is accelerating, reducing latency and improving high-bitrate streaming from phones to TVs and cloud gaming services.

The 7 CES 2026 gadgets — detailed picks and how to use them with your phone

1. Large affordable desktop monitor with USB‑C (e.g., Samsung 32" Odyssey‑class deals)

Why buy: If you regularly dock your phone at a desk (wired or wirelessly), a full-sized monitor transforms your mobile workflow: spreadsheets, photo editing, multi‑window messaging, and streaming feel like real work rather than finger acrobatics on a small screen.

What to look for:

• USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode or direct HDMI input — so you can plug your phone in without extra adapters.
• QHD (1440p) is the sweet spot for a 27–32" monitor: crisper than 1080p without the GPU/phone strain of 4K.
• 120Hz or 144Hz refresh helps when you mirror games or use high frame-rate apps.
• VESA stand compatibility for ergonomic mounting.

Pro tip: Retail promotions surfaced at CES spilled into post-show discounts — for example, a Samsung 32" Odyssey G5 model was running steep discounts on Amazon in mid‑January 2026. If you see a 30–40% drop on a well-reviewed monitor, it’s often a smart buy for phone-docked setups.

2. Portable USB‑C OLED monitor

Why buy: For hybrid workers and creators, a lightweight OLED portable monitor is the best companion to a phone. It’s perfect for editing photos shot on your phone, live streaming monitoring, or gaming on the go.

What to look for:

• OLED panel for deep blacks and small‑room photo/video work.
• True USB‑C single‑cable operation (display + power + touch/data if needed).
• Durable, slim case that doubles as a stand for travel.

How to use: Connect via USB-C, set your phone to desktop mode if available, and use vendor apps to manage color profiles. Keep a compact GaN PD charger in your bag for sustained use. For creator-focused gear that pairs with portable monitors and on-the-go studios, see Creator Toolbox.

3. Multiport USB‑C dock with PD and 4K/120Hz support

Why buy: A single dock that handles power, Ethernet, a second display, and storage turns a modern phone into a true laptop replacement. At CES, docks with higher PD wattages (60–140W) and improved video passthrough were a recurring theme.

Checklist before buying:

• Does your phone support DisplayPort Alt Mode or a desktop mode (e.g., DeX)?
• Does the dock’s PD output match your phone’s fast‑charge profile (PPS, PD 3.1)?
• Will the dock expose the phone as a data host (for file transfers) or only as a display source?

Actionable setup tip: Use the dock’s firmware update feature (if available) and test video + power simultaneously before relying on it in meetings. Cheap docks can underdeliver when driving high-frame-rate displays.

4. Portable high‑fidelity Bluetooth micro speaker

Why buy: CES highlighted compact speakers that punch above their weight in battery life, loudness, and codecs. These micro speakers are ideal for phone callers, podcasts, and small gatherings — and they staple to phones with fast Bluetooth pairing. If you want targeted speaker picks for small rooms and hands-free cooking/listening, see Best Bluetooth Micro Speakers for the Kitchen.

What to prioritize:

• Battery life — 8–12 hours is common; some CES picks point to 12+ hour sustained playback.
• Bluetooth codecs (aptX Adaptive, LDAC) for better quality when streaming from flagship phones.
• Water resistance (IP67/IP68) if you use it outdoors.

Market note: Mid‑January 2026 saw Amazon discounting competitive micro‑speakers to record lows — if you value portability and battery life, it’s a bargain category to watch.

5. RGBIC smart lamp with Matter and app scenes (e.g., Govee RGBIC lamp deals)

Why buy: Smart lighting is one of the fastest ways to improve your phone-controlled living space. CES 2026 showed more RGBIC lamps with brighter LEDs, better color mixing, and deep integration with phone apps and voice assistants. For creative lighting setups that make photos and dinner scenes pop, see Set the Mood: Using RGBIC Smart Lamps to Elevate Dinner and Food Photos.

Buyer checklist:

• Matter compatibility — guarantees cross‑platform control from any phone (Android or iPhone) and voice ecosystem.
• Good app UX for scene creation and movie/sound sync if you use it with phone media.
• Local control and schedule features so automations run without cloud latency.

Deal mention: Govee’s updated RGBIC smart lamp was discounted heavily after CES and, in some promos, priced cheaper than basic non‑smart lamps — a sign that commoditization has pushed prices down and value up for mobile shoppers.

6. GaN PD power bank with passthrough and high-output ports

Why buy: Power banks that support PD 3.1 and GaN let you fast-charge your phone, top up a tablet, or even run a small laptop without carrying a bulky brick. CES 2026 showcased slimmer power banks with higher sustained output and safer thermal profiles. For considerations on much larger portable power options, the Jackery vs EcoFlow head-to-head can help you think through capacity and runtime tradeoffs: Jackery HomePower 3600 vs EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max.

Priorities:

• Passthrough charging so you can charge the bank and phone simultaneously — handy at desks and airports.
• PD 60W–140W variants if you plan to charge laptops; 20–45W is fine for phones.
• Battery capacity vs airline limits (100Wh is the usual cap for carry‑on).

Actionable purchase tip: Match the power bank’s output to your phone’s documented fast-charge spec (PPS for many Android flagships). If a vendor lists PD 3.1 compatibility, you’re covered for modern phones.

7. Matter-ready smart-home hub / mesh Wi‑Fi 6E or Wi‑Fi 7 router

Why buy: A hub or advanced router is the invisible accessory that makes all other phone-linked gadgets behave. With more smart devices on homes and the rise of high-bitrate streams (cloud gaming from phone, local 4K streaming), a capable router + Matter hub reduces dropouts and simplifies device control. If low-latency edge and offline-first workflows matter to your setup, the field notes on edge sync and low-latency PWAs are a useful read: Edge Sync & Low‑Latency Workflows.

What to look for:

• Matter support built into the hub or router for native phone control and cross‑brand automations.
• Tri‑band Wi‑Fi (6E/7) for reduced congestion in dense homes.
• Good mobile app with guest network and device prioritization to ensure your phone gets bandwidth when needed.

Future-proofing: If you use your phone for cloud gaming or low‑latency remote desktop, pick a router with QoS controls and wired backhaul options for mesh nodes.

How to choose — an actionable compatibility checklist for mobile shoppers

Before you hit buy, run through this quick checklist so the accessory works with your phone today and keeps working as software updates roll out.

1. Confirm physical ports — USB-C vs Lightning (2026: most phones are USB-C). For Lightning phones (older iPhones), make sure the accessory supports adapter-based functionality or offers a wireless alternative.
2. Display support — does your phone support DisplayPort Alt Mode, HDMI over USB, or vendor-specific desktop modes (Samsung DeX)? If not, you'll need a separate streaming solution or a wireless casting scenario.
3. Charging profile — check if your phone uses PD, PD PPS, Quick Charge, or proprietary fast charging. Match chargers and power banks to that profile.
4. Matter and smart‑home standards — if you want cross‑ecosystem control, pick devices with Matter certification.
5. App and firmware support — prefer vendors with a good track record for updates and responsive mobile apps. For earbuds and small accessories, vendor firmware practices matter; see a practical firmware update playbook for small audio devices in 2026: Firmware Update Playbook for Earbuds (2026).
6. Return policy and warranty — CES units can be early hardware; buy where you can test and return within 30 days. Watch deal and return programs in the market such as the recent price-matching and post-show promotions at retailers: Hot-Deals.live Price-Matching Program.

Where to buy and when to expect deals

CES often triggers post‑show promotions. Based on patterns at CES 2026:

• Watch major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy) and manufacturer stores for limited-time post‑CES discounts. Example: the Samsung Odyssey 32" saw a heavy Amazon discount in mid‑January 2026.
• Accessory makers (Govee, Anker, Belkin) typically run bundle deals the month after CES — ideal for pairing lamps with hubs or chargers with power banks.
• Set price alerts and use cashback/affiliate deals to stack savings. If your purchase window isn’t urgent, hold for the first product reviews that confirm real-world performance.

Real-world setup examples — 3 workflows you can copy

Workflow A: Phone-as-primary computer (work-from-home)

• Phone (USB-C with DeX/desktop mode) → Multiport USB-C dock → 27–32" monitor (USB-C input) + Ethernet + keyboard/mouse.
• Power: 65W PD dock or external GaN PD charger for sustained session charging.
• Result: Full desktop experience, fast file transfers, and reliable video calls using the phone’s camera when you prefer.

Workflow B: Creator on the go

• Phone → Portable OLED monitor (USB‑C single cable) for color-accurate preview → GaN PD power bank for extra runtime. If you run hybrid host or creator setups often, the Hybrid Studio Playbook is a useful reference for portable lighting, audio and edge workflows.
• Use cloud sync (Photos or Lightroom mobile) and offload to an SSD connected to the dock when back at the desk.

Workflow C: Home media and ambience

• Phone → Bluetooth micro speaker for casual listening or group calls. See curated micro speaker picks: Best Bluetooth Micro Speakers for the Kitchen.
• Use Matter-enabled smart lamp scenes triggered by your phone’s media player (movie scene, reading scene) and managed through a single smart-home app.

Predictions and what to watch through 2026

Here are three actionable predictions you can use to time purchases:

• Accessory consolidation: Expect more combined solutions (docks that include Matter hubs and mesh radios). If you want a single vendor-managed ecosystem, wait for Q3–Q4 2026 updates. Market and vendor playbooks such as the TradeBaze Vendor Playbook are useful to understand vendor consolidation and bundle economics.
• Price pressure on premium monitors and smart lamps: Post‑CES discounting and component deflation will continue to push premium features down into mainstream price bands. If you see a 30%+ price drop on a well-reviewed monitor or lamp, it’s often a good buy.
• Seamless cross‑platform pairing via Matter and Bluetooth LE Audio: As more devices adopt these standards, expect easier pairing experiences and better battery life for phone-controlled accessories.

Final actionable takeaways

• Prioritize standards over brand hype — USB-C PD/PPS, DisplayPort Alt Mode, and Matter compatibility will keep accessories useful longer.
• Test before fully committing — use return windows and test the accessory with your actual phone setup (apps, charging, display) rather than trusting CES demos.
• Stack deals — post‑CES discounts and bundle promos are the best time to buy speakers, lamps, and monitors.
• Future-proof with GaN and Matter — they’re the backbone technologies that make phone-first setups reliable in 2026.

Closing — your gadget wishlist for 2026

CES 2026 didn’t just showcase shiny prototypes — it showed practical, phone‑centric accessories that solve problems we face every day: charging confusion, messy hubs, and inconsistent smart‑home control. Whether you want a big screen to replace a laptop, a tiny speaker that travels, or a smart lamp that syncs with your phone scenes, the seven picks above (curated from ZDNET’s CES coverage and the best post‑show deals) are the actionable starting point for a modern mobile setup.

Ready to upgrade? Start by picking one area — display, power, audio, or smart home — and apply the compatibility checklist above. If you want, tell us your phone model and budget and we’ll recommend the specific product combos that fit your use case.

Call to action: Want tailored recommendations? Share your phone model and how you use it (work, travel, content creation) and we’ll build a CES‑inspired gadget wishlist for your needs — curated for compatibility, price, and real-world value.

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