**2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for consumer gadgets**, as new technologies and innovations redefine smartphones, laptops, and wearable devices. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are expected to drive this shift. The year may see Apple unveil its first foldable iPhone, Samsung expand the global rollout of tri-fold smartphones, and Google introduce new XR platforms alongside smart glasses and VR headsets.
### Foldable iPhones
While brands such as Samsung, Google, Motorola, OnePlus, OPPO, and Vivo have already embraced foldable and flip phones, Apple has remained absent from the foldable smartphone segment. In 2025, Apple launched its thinnest device yet—the iPhone Air—which many analysts viewed as a stepping stone toward future foldable designs.
Recent reports suggest that Apple could finally enter the foldable phone market in 2026. The company’s first foldable iPhone is expected to feature a book-style design, resembling two iPhone Air devices joined together. To maintain a slim profile, Apple is likely to distribute internal components across both panels, a design strategy similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup.
### Samsung’s tri-fold smartphone
Samsung continues to dominate the foldable smartphone space, refining its devices with each generation. In 2026, the company is expected to expand the availability of its tri-fold smartphone to additional global markets, including India.
Chinese smartphone maker Huawei introduced the world’s first commercially available tri-fold phone, the Mate XT, in September last year. Samsung followed by launching its Galaxy Z TriFold in South Korea in December. The device is anticipated to reach select international markets in early 2026, making it the second commercial tri-fold smartphone available worldwide.
### XR glasses and headsets
Innovation in extended reality (XR) glasses and headsets is gaining momentum, with major investments from companies like Google, Meta, and Samsung. Google recently hosted *The Android Show: XR Edition*, where it showcased Project Aura-XR glasses developed in collaboration with XReal. These Android XR-powered glasses offer a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology that overlays digital content onto the real world.
Samsung is also expected to broaden the availability of its Galaxy XR headset beyond South Korea and the US. As a result, 2026 could mark a turning point when XR glasses and headsets become more accessible across global markets.
### Smart glasses
The wearable technology landscape is set for significant changes in 2026, with a shift from software-focused upgrades to AI-driven hardware innovation. Google plans to re-enter the smart glasses market through partnerships with brands such as Warby Parker and Samsung. These Android XR-based glasses are expected to support features like real-time translation, turn-by-turn navigation, and screen-free assistance through in-lens displays. This move places Google in direct competition with Meta, which currently leads the consumer smart glasses segment with its Ray-Ban Meta lineup.
Apple is also reportedly developing its first pair of smart glasses, which could debut by the end of 2026. These glasses are expected to include cameras, speakers, and tight integration with Apple Intelligence and an enhanced Siri for hands-free interaction. Additionally, Apple is likely to launch the iPhone 18 series in September 2026, potentially featuring a foldable variant powered by the new A20 Pro chip.
Other Categories
More Stories
All Rights Reserved © 2026