CES 2026: A parade of unconventional smartphones
January in Las Vegas always hints at the shape of the coming year in tech. This time, the expected glass slabs aren’t the only stars walking the show floor. CES 2026 rolled out a surprising lineup of phones that break the traditional rectangle, offering glimpses of a future where flexibility, modularity, and playful form factors are as important as raw specifications.
Rollable and folding, but not in the same old way
Several manufacturers pushed the boundaries of how a phone’s display can occupy space. You’ll still find foldable devices—phones that hinge open to reveal a wider canvas—but the attention went to rollable screens and ultra-thin expandables. One model demonstrated a screen that unfurls from a compact pocket-size device to a tablet-sized display with a simple pull. The practical promise is a device that fits your pocket in everyday use but grows when you need more real estate for work, media, or gaming.
Additionally, a few vendors teased “dual-curve” chassis that curve subtly around the edges. The effect isn’t just visual flair; it can improve grip and turn edge areas into notification screens or quick-access panels. While not all prototypes were fully polished, the energy around these concepts suggested a broader shift toward displays that adapt to user needs rather than forcing the user to adapt to a single form factor.
Modular minds: swappable components and companion devices
Beyond screens, CES 2026 showcased phones designed to evolve. A handful of booths demonstrated modular systems where cameras, speakers, and sensors could be swapped in or upgraded without replacing the core device. The idea isn’t new, but manufacturers are presenting tactile, tool-free methods to customize phones. The appeal is obvious for enthusiasts who crave longevity—buy once, upgrade parts over time, and keep up with rapid camera or sensor advancements without a full handset refresh.
Camera experiments: from stacked sensors to floating optics
Camera technology continues to be a key battleground, and some oddball designs grew out of this race. Expect multiple-lens stacks that can be reconfigured based on lighting or subject distance. There were prototypes with detachable lenses, allowing users to attach a high-end sensor module for specialized shooting, then dock it back for everyday tasks. While these concepts may not hit mass markets immediately, they offer a peek at what future photography could look like when hardware is modular and upgradable.
Who are these devices for?
These unconventional phones aren’t aimed at the mainstream rush that prioritizes fiber-fast chips and mammoth displays. They appeal to power users, tech hobbyists, and professionals who value versatility over a single selling point. The rollable and modular designs can be attractive for travelers, designers, or executives who need a compact device on the go but a robust workspace on a desk. CES 2026 made it clear that the smartphone category remains a playground for experimentation, with a diverse audience that enjoys novel form factors and practical innovations alike.
What this means for the near future
It’s too early to declare a new typical smartphone form factor, but several trends are unmistakable. Manufacturers are exploring flexibility in displays, upgradeable hardware, and new interaction paradigms that blur the line between smartphone, tablet, and compact computer. If even a portion of these concepts reaches production, we could see a wave of devices that don’t merely fit in a pocket but adapt to how you work, travel, and create.
Bottom line
CES 2026 reminded us that the path forward for phones isn’t a straight line. Instead, it’s a mosaic of inventive ideas: rollable screens, modular builds, and evolving camera systems. For enthusiasts who crave something beyond the usual glass slab, the future is not only bright but delightfully odd. The next year will determine which of these concepts find a foothold in real-world devices and daily life.
