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Samsung usually launches its next wave of flagship devices over the winter, and all signs point to an early 2026 launch for the Samsung Galaxy S26 — and the Galaxy Z TriFold. The Galaxy S25 was released in early February, and the Galaxy S24 before it came in late January. Thus, it stands to reason that the Galaxy S26 will come around the same time in 2026.

While Samsung hasn't announced any upcoming Galaxy Unpacked events, we fully expect the new generation of Samsung phones to make their debut in the months ahead. And if the volume of S26 leaks is any indication, it's sooner rather than later.

SEE ALSO: The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is coming to America soon: Everything we know so far What will the Galaxy S26 phones look like?

Recently, leaker @onleaks posted a gallery and video on X that claims to show dummy units of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. We can't verify the authenticity of the video, but it looks plausible, at least.

Overall, it looks very similar to the S25 Ultra, as expected, with one notable change — it has a camera bump similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. As 9to5Google points out, because this bump is on the left side of the phone, it will make the phone wobble when placed down on a table or desk. In comparison, the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max has a more symmetrical shape and thus no wobble.

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However, we would be a little skeptical of this leak. Android Police recently posted its own alleged S26 Ultra leaks, only without the camera bump.

What models will be included in the S26 lineup?

Just a few months ago, rumors and leaks pointed to a significant shakeup in the Galaxy S26 line. It was said that Samsung would rename the base model to S26 Pro, drop the Plus model that sat in the middle of the annual lineup for years, and replace that with a new Edge phone modeled after last year's S25 Edge (which was something of a flop). However, that's apparently no longer happening, and you can thank Apple for that, per Korean outlet NewsPim (via 9to5google).

This is the S25 Ultra. Credit: James Martin / Mashable

Due to Apple's success in offering significant year-over-year upgrades to the base iPhone 17 (such as a 120Hz display) without raising the price, Samsung has reportedly dropped the Pro branding for the base model and reverted it back to just the Galaxy S26, which was corroborated by a separate report from SamMobile. According to that report, you can expect a retread of the usual S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra lineup in 2026. That may be disappointing to anyone who was expecting a big shakeup based on previous reporting, but if nothing else, it makes it easier to keep track of what's going on.

As for the previously rumored S26 Edge, it's unclear what's going to happen with that. It might be dead, or it might come out later in the year as a separate release like the S25 Edge did. Given that phone's relative lack of success, it might be smart to assume there won't be an S26 Edge at this point.

Galaxy S26 rumored specs

For specs, the rumors aren't particularly surprising. The Galaxy S26 series is currently rumored to have the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, which Qualcomm rebranded to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There is also a rumor that Samsung will equip some S26 models with an Exynos chip, which Samsung fans hope is the Exynos 2600, which has also been making some noise in the rumor mill lately.

In terms of the small stuff, like storage and RAM, there have been some small rumblings. One rumor says that the Galaxy S26 (all models) will feature 16GB of RAM, a 4GB increase from the last few years, and the most a Galaxy phone has had since the Galaxy S21 Ultra. In terms of storage capacity, there are no rumors that anything will change, so the 128GB base (256GB on the Ultra) is likely to remain in place for now, with upgraded storage available as an option. 

Galaxy S26: Is a price hike coming?

We're in the midst of a major global memory shortage, and this could be very bad news for smartphone and laptop shoppers (you can blame the AI industry for hogging all the RAM). And according to leaker @kro_roe, this could not only lead to an S26 price hike, but also the end of a popular launch offer.

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Typically, when Samsung launches a new phone, customers who pre-order or purchase at launch can claim double the storage at no extra cost. But with RAM in short supply, that may no longer be the case. The most recent rumors suggest that Samsung hasn't landed on a final price for the S26 phones, however.

TL;DR: Not only could S26 phones cost more, but you may have to pay a premium for more storage as well.

Battery and charging

Based on early rumors, this may be one of the most interesting changes coming to the S26 lineup. Samsung has been working on a stacked battery design that would allow for more dense batteries in the same physical space. This could bring a long-awaited bump to battery size. According to early rumors, the S26 Ultra is slated to come with a 5,500 mAh stacked battery, a 10 percent increase from the S25 Ultra. Samsung reportedly experimented with removing a camera to add even more battery capacity, but that doesn't mean it's certain to happen in the mass-produced model. While the S26 Pro was rumored to have a bigger 4,900mAh battery compared to previous base model Galaxy phones, NewsPim's report claimed that the base S26 (now that it's no longer a Pro device) has been adjusted down to a more modest 4,300mAh cell.

For charging, it’s unlikely that the Galaxy S26 series will get a serious upgrade. Samsung is definitely working on 60W wired charging, but so far, it seems that Samsung will wait for the Galaxy S27 series (or later) to implement it. This could change as we get closer to launch for the S26 series, but for now, it seems that 45W will be around for at least one more year. There are also rumors that wireless charging may see a bump to the Qi2 standard

Galaxy S26: What about the cameras?

The camera system in the Galaxy S26 series may change quite a bit, and there are a few different rumors that say different things. Jumping right in, one older rumor says that the S26 series will have the same megapixel count but will feature a new, as-of-yet unannounced sensor from the same ISOCELL GN series as prior Samsung models. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a 200MP camera is rumored, as is a 324MP lens with a 50MP, 3x telephoto lens. It’s more likely that Samsung will do the 200MP with a new sensor, but all leaks are being considered right now. 

S25 Ultra with its five cameras. Credit: James Martin / Mashable

In addition, there are rumors that Samsung will bring back its variable aperture on the main shooter, which Samsung hasn’t included on its camera system since the Galaxy S10 series back in 2019. As previously mentioned, Samsung may be considering dropping the number of cameras to three instead of four, like on prior models, to make space for a larger battery. Other rumors about the camera include a dual periscope design that’ll magnify to 8x, but that is just speculation at this time.

However, many of these rumors come from the time when we thought Samsung was significantly altering the S26 lineup. Newer reports indicate that, at least for the base S26 and S26 Plus, things won't change that much from previous years. According to Korean outlet The Elec, those two phones will have the exact same megapixel count on the triple-lens rear array as previous Galaxy models: a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. Those have been the specs going all the way back to the Galaxy S22. If you were hoping for big changes in the cheaper S26 models this year, you have our condolences.

Other features and hardware

Much of the rest of the Galaxy S26 lineup is predictable. It’ll come with the latest One UI out of the gate with the latest version of Android. That is no surprise, and we don’t need rumors to predict that one. The S26 series will likely get One UI 8.5, which is slated for a rather large redesign along with a host of new features, including the aforementioned privacy screen feature. According to rumor, the redesign emulates Apple’s Liquid Glass in some ways with transparent UI elements. 

The only other piece of hardware we haven’t talked about is the S-Pen. Samsung appears to be set to do something big with the S-Pen. The rumors speculate that the S-Pen is sticking around and will come with some upgrades. The new functionality may have something to do with how magnetic accessories work, and this seems to be linked to the aforementioned Qi2 wireless charging upgrade. 

We'll find out how much (if any) of this is true in just a matter of weeks, going by previous Samsung announcement timelines.

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There was a time — years ago, mind you — that "Rickrolling" someone was the peak of internet humor.

If you don't know what this is, bless your either young or old heart. The nearly 20-year-old prank was simple: You'd get someone to unknowingly click the link to the cheesy music video for Rick Astley's '80s classic "Never Gonna Give You Up." Boom, you've just been Rickrolled.

SEE ALSO: Rian Johnson on 'Wake Up Dead Man,' Josh O'Connor's neck tattoo, and AI slop

Well, in a neat bit of synergy, the latest installment of the beloved-by-the-internet series Knives Out actually shared a location with the filming of "Never Gonna Give You Up." Director Rian Johnson confirmed on Bluesky that the gym scene in Wake Up Dead Man was shot where Astley filmed his classic music video. Surprisingly, not that much of anyone cared on set.

"This is true, and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)," he wrote in response to a post that pointed out the fun fact.

This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)

[image or embed]

— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson.bsky.social) December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM

For the curious, it appears that the shared location is the Harrow Club in London, which was once a church. So, yes, Wake Up Dead Man and "Never Gonna Give You Up" share some creative DNA. What a world.

OpenAI has been swinging for the fences with recent updates like GPT-5.2 and ChatGPT Images. This week, the company rolled out an improvement to its ChatGPT Android app, and it's a change power users have been waiting for. ChatGPT’s official app now has a real Thinking mode, previously only available through a browser.

According to Bleeping Computer, the original Thinking toggle actually rerouted your responses through the Standard thinking time, which uses less compute power and doesn’t think for as long. The new toggle allows users to expressly choose between Auto, Instant, or Thinking modes to determine how long the AI will pontificate over a request before delivering an answer. 

This matches the functionality already available for desktop users who choose “Extended Thinking,” which gives the AI more time to work on complex queries to deliver better, more accurate answers. 

The rollout is happening now, so if you use ChatGPT on an Android device, make sure you’ve updated to the most recent version. Once done, the new Thinking mode will appear in your chat settings. From there, you’ll be able to choose between Standard and Extended thinking times, allowing you to get better answers on mobile. 

This feature is only available for ChatGPT Plus users, so free users are still stuck with the old Thinking mode, which is really just Standard mode. 

Per Bleeping Computer, the feature rolled out alongside a new formatting block feature. Now, when you ask ChatGPT to type an email, it does so in a formatting block, and you can request changes or edit the document without having to regenerate the entire email. This feature started rolling out over Christmas and is available to all users. 

It’s a small but pleasant end to the year for ChatGPT users. OpenAI spent the latter half of 2025 allegedly in a “code red” state after losing a sizable number of users to Google’s Gemini 3 and Nano Banana, and has spent much of the rest of the year trying to recapture those people with GPT-5.2 and ChatGPT Images. It has mostly worked, as GPT-5.2 trades blows with Gemini 3 on most benchmark scores while soundly beating Grok 4 in most areas. 

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Can't wait for the release of the new PlayStation 6? Well, thanks to the computer memory shortages caused by the rise of AI, you may just be waiting even longer.

According to a new report from Insider Gaming, there is talk among the video gaming industries about delaying the release of the next generation of consoles, such as the PS6. Global RAM shortages have led companies like Sony to weigh the benefits of delaying the console instead of pushing for its currently planned release window.

According to previous leaks, Sony was targeting a November 2027 release for the PS6.

As Mashable has previously reported, laptop and smartphone manufacturers have been forced to institute price hikes on their products to make up for the shortages amid the demand. The AI boom has yet to lose steam within the tech industry and this means that global memory shortages will likely continue into the new year and for the foreseeable future. As a result, many computer manufacturers are warning their customers that additional price increases are on the way.

Next-gen video game console makers would be affected by these RAM price increases as well. Sony would likely have to wrestle with two choices if it wanted to maintain a 2027 release for the PS6: pass on the extra cost to customers, which could hurt sales numbers, or eat these costs themselves. 

The third option now being discussed, according to this new report, is to simply delay the release of the console in hopes that RAM supply increases over the next few years and prices drop.

By the time Quinn's newest audio erotica series starring Heated Rivalry fan favorites Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie finally dropped, the anticipation had already reached an actual breaking point. Within hours of the release of the first two episodes, the Quinn app went down, briefly buckling under the weight of fans who had been waiting mere days to hear the pair reunited.

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Ember & Ice marks Quinn's first-ever duet original, shifting the app's usual listener-centric intimacy into a fully dramatized MM romance. Dane (Storrie) and Finn (Williams) rival fae princes locked in a forbidden, years-long affair. A heart-pounding queer romantasy story narrated by a pairing that already carries deep emotional weight for fans was never going to arrive quietly.

The format change, combined with Williams and Storrie's established chemistry from Heated Rivalry, turned the release into a fandom event — one that spilled immediately onto social media as listeners reacted in real-time to every whimper and carefully placed inhale.

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What Ember & Ice ultimately highlights is the power of fandom continuity, how voices and chemistry can carry emotional meaning across projects and formats. Since premiering in late November, Heated Rivalry has rapidly evolved from a new release into an online obsession, effectively launching Williams and Storrie’s careers in real-time.

The appetite driving that momentum — especially among women eager for more erotic, chemistry-forward content — was strong enough to overwhelm Quinn's servers. With Ember & Ice's third and final episode set for Jan. 6, the question isn't whether fans will return, but whether the app is ready for them.

SAVE $40: Through Jan. 6, DirecTV's Signature Entertainment streaming package is only $49.99 for your first month (regularly $89.99/month). The package includes 90 channels plus Disney+ and Hulu (with ads), an extra savings of $19.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: DirecTV First month of DirecTV Signature Entertainment streaming package $49.99
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While the Sling TV day pass is a great hack for watching sports on ESPN, there's a major hole in coverage when it comes to the sports that are on broadcast channels like FOX and CBS — so, pretty much the entire NFL playoff schedule. In that case, the next hack up is DirecTV's rare holiday deal: Get your first month of DirecTV's Signature Entertainment Package with 90 channels for just $49.99 ($40 off its usual $89.99/month).

SEE ALSO: Best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms

The promo, which has been running since mid-December, is finally closing out on Jan. 6, so these are your last few days to lock down January NFL games without cable or committing to a live TV subscription.

Past the big broadcast networks that'll cover most of your football needs, other channels in the Entertainment streaming package include E!, FX, Disney Channel, Hallmark, Syfy, and Nickelodeon. With the included access to Hulu (as well as Disney+ and ESPN), you can catch the second season of A Thousand Blows when it drops on Jan. 9, see what all the Alien: Earth hype is about, or hate watch All's Fair.

Shop the best cooking-related deals at a glance: Best cookware deal Our Place Always Pan (10.5-inch) $99 (save $36) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Crispi 4-in-1- portable air fryer $139.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best multicooker deal CrockPot Multimeal multicooker $127.99 (save $52) Get Deal Best cookbook deal "Home Style Cookery" by Matty Matheson $22.42 (save $17.58) Get Deal

Another year is approaching, which means it's time to think about what you want to change or focus on in 2026. If you're simply aiming to stop spending so much money on takeout next year, we've rounded up some of the best kitchen deals to help you cook more at home.

The first step in any cooking journey is to make reasonable upgrades that actually encourage you to cook at home. It's a simple New Year's resolution with a simple solution. If your current tools aren't sparking inspiration in the kitchen, here are some essentials that might do the trick.

First and foremost: new cookware Opens in a new window Credit: Our Place Our pick: Our Place Always Pan (10.5-inch) $99 at Amazon
$135 Save $36   Get Deal Why we like it

Before you can really start your 2026 cooking journey, you need to upgrade your cookware. That old, rusty pan that everything sticks to isn't doing you any favors. The Always Pan from Our Place is a crowd favorite and it's on sale for over 25% off in several color options at Amazon — just $4 shy of its best-ever price. It's constructed from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum, features a toxin-free nonstick coating, and is oven safe up to 450 degrees. Besides the pan itself, it also comes with a spatula, modular lid, and a stainless steel colander and steamer.

More cookware deals

• Our Place Mini Griddle Pan — $58 $69 (save $11)

• Carote 14-piece pots and pans set — $66.49 $109.99 (save $43.50)

• Our Place Mini Perfect Pot — $95 $125 (save $30)

• All-Clad D3 stainless steel frying pan (10-inch) — $109.94 $139.99 (save $30.05)

• Our Place Always Pan (12.5-inch) — $125 $159 (save $34)

• Sur La Table Chef's Deck 10-piece stainless steel cookware set — $134.29 $169.99 (save $35.70)

An air fryer for healthy, but crispy meals Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja Crispi 4-in-1- portable air fryer — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40) $139.99 at Amazon
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The viral Ninja Crispi air fryer is a Mashable favorite — after testing a big batch of Ninja appliances, shopping reporter Sam Mangino crowned it one of the best. Unlike most air fryers, it features a portable design with glass containers that attach to an air-frying lid. Beyond heating and crisping food to perfection, it also doubles as storage for your leftovers. "The Ninja Crispi ... allows you to meal prep and store food directly into glass baskets, where you will then reheat it," Mangino writes. "The storage containers are all dishwasher safe, a rare trait in air fryer baskets." As of Dec. 30, it's also $40 off, which matches its Black Friday price.

More air fryer deals

• Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 (5-quart) — $89.99 $129.99 (save $30)

• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 DualZone air fryer (8-quart) — $119.98 $199.99 (save $80.01)

• Our Place Wonder Oven — $155 $185 (save $30)

A multicooker to simplify dinner time Opens in a new window Credit: CrockPot Our pick: Crockpot Multimeal multicooker $127.99 at Amazon
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If you want to simplify mealtime, do yourself a favor and grab a multicooker. It's a more hands-off way to whip up delicious meals at home. CrockPot's Multimeal multicooker features a dual-pot design, so you can cook your main course and sides with the same appliance at the same time. It has separate temperature controls and cook functions, like slow cook, sear/sauté, bake, rice/steam, and keep warm. Plus, the removable cooking pots are oven safe up to 450 degrees.

More multicooker deals

• Instant Pot Rio 7-in-1 (6-quart) — $79.99 $109.99 (save $30)

• Ninja Foodi Everyday PossibleCooker Pro (6.5-quart) — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20)

• Our Place Dream Cooker (6-quart) — $169 $199 (save $30)

A cookbook for recipe ideas Opens in a new window Credit: Abrams Books Our pick: "Home Style Cookery" by Matty Matheson $22.42 at Amazon
$40 Save $17.58   Get Deal Why we like it

The executive producer and actor on the Emmy Award-winning Hulu show The Bear, Matty Matheson, offers a definitive guide to mastering your kitchen in Home Style Cookery. The recipe-packed cookbook covers everything from pantry staples to creative party treats to go-to weeknight dinners. The hardcover book is usually $40, but you can grab it on sale for only $22.42 at Amazon.

More cookbook deals

• From Crook to Cook by Snoop Dogg — $14.16 $24.95 (save $10.79)

• Half Baked Harvest Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard — $15.73 $29.99 (save $14.26)

• Bad B*tch in the Kitch by Cassie Yeung — $19.45 $35 (save $15.55)

• What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers — $19.64 $35 (save $15.36)

• Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever — $24.99 $45 (save $20.01)

Even more kitchen deals

• KitchenAid gourmet multi-sided meat tenderizer — $12.99 $16.99 (save $4)

• Astercook 13-piece knife set — $17.98 $49.99 (save $32.01)

• KitchenAid food chopper (3.5-cup) — $44.99 $69.99 (save $25)

• Gourmia indoor pizza oven — $119.99 $169.99 (save $50)

• Drinkmate OmniFizz sparkling water maker — $124.99 $179.99 (save $55)

• Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker — $179.99 $229.99 (save $50)

• Chefman Iceman Slush-Ease Max machine — $199.93 $349.99 (save $150.06)

• Bartesian Professional cocktail machine — $348.99 $499 (save $150.01)

• Ooni Koda 12 portable gas pizza oven bundle — $359.80 $514 (save $149.19)

• Halo Versa 16 outdoor pizza oven — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150)

The best deals to help cut down on screen time Best Productivity Deal The Brick $53.10 (Save $5.90) Get Deal Best Activity Book Deal Puzzle Mania! Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! $17.97 (Save $5.39) Get Deal Best Camera Deal Camp Snap Camera $59.95 (Save $10) Get Deal Best Puzzle Deal Bepuzzled Classic Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle $10.17 (Save $12.50) Get Deal Best Diamond Painting Kit PaintGem Butterfly Edition Diamond Painting Kit $29.90 (Save $10) Get Deal

New year, new you. If you're looking to make 2026 less about spending time on your phone and doom-scrolling, there are plenty of great ways to cut your screen time and do more productive things with your days. But even though that resolution may sound like a simple one, it's not always as easy as you might think to go cold turkey when it comes to spending time in front of a screen, whether that's the TV, a monitor, your phone, or a console.

Because it's something you really need to make a valiant effort to accomplish, we've got your back. We've put together a few of our favorite options that you can lean on to help you cut down your screen time, even if only by a few minutes a day. There are tons of great alternatives out there that you can choose from, but these should at least get you to unplug for a short time, even if it's temporary.

Below, find our favorite picks for the best deals to help you fulfill your New Year's resolution to cut down on screen time.

Best productivity deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Brick The Brick $53.10 at Brick
$59 Save $5.90   Get Deal Why we like it

This unassuming little gray block locks certain apps when you tap your phone to it. That means even if you feel like doom-scrolling, you won't be able to, which automatically keeps you out of the "using your phone too much" hot seat. It's quick and easy to use, Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino tried out The Brick in a bid to cut down on screen time, and came away finding it was absolutely worth it, praising it as her "favorite option" and "recommending it to everyone I know".

Best activity book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Thrift Books Puzzle Mania! Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! $27.85 at Thrift Books
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Sharpen your brain with this collection of Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and other puzzles taken straight from The New York Times. It's a hardcover book with a lay-flat format that lets you easily puzzle things out alone or share with others, giving you plenty of reasons to skip the screen for the day and work on your focus and concentration with high-quality puzzles and brain-teasers.

Best camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap Camera $59.95 at Camp Snap
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This screen-free digital camera can cut your screen time in a sneaky way: taking it away entirely. This is essentially a new-school point-and-shoot option that feels like taking pictures with a disposable camera. It's durable, supports storing up to 2,000 photos with its included SD memory card, and it's free of distractions so you can focus on what matters: being there and being present.

Best puzzle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bepuzzled Classic Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle $10.17 at Amazon
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This 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle is more than just a puzzle. It's also a murder mystery that you work out while putting the puzzle together as there are clues to find within. You can solve the mystery as you search for the right puzzle pieces, and by the end of the puzzle you should know exactly "whodunnit" -- making this a fun way to keep you engaged and excited about what you're working on.

Best diamond painting kit Opens in a new window Credit: PaintGem PaintGem Butterfly Edition Diamond Painting Kit $29.90 at PaintGem
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Getting into diamond painting is a good way to keep yourself from staring at a screen, because you'll be creating decor and images that you can keep whenever you finish. This kit comes with 16 canvases, with 11,788 gems in total in 38 colors to create some absolutely gorgeous butterflies to display or give as gifts.

More deals on products to help cut down on screen time

• Candle Making Kit — $52.99 $62.99 (save $10)

• Vellostar Sewing Kit for Adults & Beginners — $17.97 $23.36 (save $5.39)

• The Rider Tarot Deck — $19.99 $21.95 (save $1.96)

• Gerute Crochet Kit for Beginners — $16.99 $23.99 (save $7)

SAVE $34.43: The CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro (Ash Grey) is on sale at Amazon for $64.57, down from the normal price of $99. That's a 35% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: CMF by Nothing CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro (Ash Grey) $64.57 at Amazon
$99 Save $34.43   Get Deal

We're about to ring in 2026 and that means many of us are thinking about health and fitness goals. If your current fitness tracker is annoying or doesn't get the job done in the way you'd like, let me fill you in on a great upgrade that's on a major sale.

As of Dec. 30, the CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro (Ash Grey) is on sale at Amazon for $64.57, down from the normal price of $99. That's a 35% discount that saves you $34.43. If you're like me and smitten with the Light Green colorway, that's also on sale for $67.68. It's only a 32% discount but the beauty could be worth the extra few dollars.

When I first saw the CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro, I thought, "Damn, that looks sleek for coming in at under $100." After spending months testing it, I was left totally shocked that Nothing isn't trying to charge us way more for this smartwatch.

I have almost nothing negative to say about this smartwatch. I loved the numerous fitness tracking capabilities (over 130 sport modes) and that kite flying is listed. I also adored that I could quickly glance down at my wrist to see if I was in an aerobic workout or if I'd hit anaerobic. There's also an AI running coach if you're looking to get into a new routine in 2026.

SEE ALSO: Outdoor deals at Amazon include a 45% discount on the Garmin inReach Messenger

One of the standout highlights of the Nothing Watch 3 Pro is battery life. Apple Watch users are used to charging every other day, but those who go with the Watch 3 Pro as a fitness tracker could be in for weeks of life before you'll need to recharge. In testing, I got nearly two weeks of life. An astonishing feat for a smartwatch at this price.

I also found the sleep tracking features on the CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro to be impressive. I was also testing the Eight Sleep Pod 5 at the same time and came up with shockingly similar sleep metrics each morning. That means this smartwatch, which is on sale for under $65, tracks sleep almost as well as a bed system that costs at least $3,000.

The CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro is well worth its $99 standard price tag, but it's pretty common to find it on sale for $79. However, today's sale price of $64.57 makes this a seriously incredible deal. Snag one for yourself to help with 2026 fitness resolutions.

Tech outlet Wired is at the center of a potential data breach after a lone hacker claimed to have breached Condé Nast and is now threatening to leak the personal information of more than 2.3 million subscribers.

As first reported by Bleeping Computer, the alleged leaker, Lovely, posted on a hacking forum, accusing Condé Nast, the parent company of Wired, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and the New Yorker, of ignoring vulnerability reports and failing to take security concerns seriously. However, independent cybersecurity journalist Dissent Doe of DataBreaches.net alleges the hacker is simply a bad actor who can’t be trusted and is attempting to extract a payout from the media company rather than acting out of any legitimate security concern.

SEE ALSO: Ubisoft takes 'Rainbow Six Siege' offline after significant hack

According to independent verification by Bleeping Computer and Infostealer, the breach appears to be legitimate and includes email addresses, along with optional fields such as first and last name, phone number, physical address, gender, and date of birth — although many of these fields appear to be empty.

Beyond Wired’s subscriber database, the hacker claims to have access to as many as 40 million additional records across Condé Nast’s portfolio. Lovely's post was found on multiple hacking forums, giving users on those sites access to the database for $2.30.

Condé Nast has not yet issued a public statement confirming the breach. Mashable reached out for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

Per Bleeping Computer, only 1,529 of the more than 2.3 million records appear to be complete profiles, containing full names, birthdays, phone numbers, physical addresses, and gender information. The database has also been added to Have I Been Pwned, allowing affected subscribers to check whether their email address was included in the breach.

A former Coinbase customer service agent in India who allegedly helped hackers steal sensitive customer information from its database was arrested in India.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said in a post on X on Dec. 26 that more arrests are to come.

"We have zero tolerance for bad behavior and will continue to work with law enforcement to bring bad actors to justice," Armstrong posted. "Thanks to the Hyderabad Police in India, an ex-Coinbase customer service agent was just arrested. Another one down and more still to come."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2025

These support agents allegedly gave access to hackers as part of a May 2025 incident in which hackers demanded a $20 million ransom in exchange for not publicly leaking stolen customer data, according to Bleeping Computer.

As Mashable reported at the time, Coinbase said the hackers obtained names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, masked bank account numbers, photos of government IDs, and the last four digits of customers' social security numbers. On top of that, the hackers also accessed account data, including balance snapshots and transaction history.

Despite this, Coinbase refused to pay the $20 million ransom, instead offering a $20 million reward fund for anyone providing information on the people responsible for the breach. At this time, it's not clear if the reward fund played a role in the recent arrest in India.

"At Coinbase, we work directly with law enforcement, using blockchain tracing and other tools to help identify offenders and support prosecutions and we will not stop," a Coinbase spokesperson told BleepingComputer.

If you spend a decent amount of time online, you've probably heard of brainrot. But you'd be forgiven if it's unclear, really, what that is.

The first thing to understand is that it's everywhere — and has been for a while — and that it's increasingly a central part of the internet, for better or worse. Let's dig into it.

What is brainrot content?

Brainrot, believe it or not, was Oxford's word of the year in 2024. The prestigious university defined it as "the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration."

Words change their meaning over time, and in the year that's passed since Oxford's honor, the internet has shifted more toward that second definition. In other words, brainrot is mostly used to describe something that will harm or damage your brain. It's meaningless drivel, often silly, that serves no purpose other than to cook your brain cells.

(Fun fact: Oxford noted the phrase "brain rot" first appeared in Henry David Thoreau's classic book Walden, in which he lamented the demise of complex thinking, writing society "will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot." Touch grass, etc.)

For another definition, the internet researchers at Know Your Meme wrote:

"Brainrot is a slang term used to describe content that has little to no artistic, educational or substantive value, painting it as having a negative impact on the viewer and thus leading to the degradation and 'rot' of their brain. In relation, the term is used to refer to pieces of 'brain rot content' that a person cannot stop thinking about, leading to further brain rot, such as regularly repeating the Skibidi Toilet song."

Over the last few years, brainrot has proliferated, and the Skibidi Toilet nonsense is a great example. So brainrot content might be a bodyless, disturbing head singing in a toilet. Or it could be kids screaming "6-7" all day long. Or it could be AI-generated, strange animals given nonsensical Italian-sounding names like Tralalero Tralala.

Watch the TikTok embedded below and you'll immediately understand brainrot.

Why is brainrot inescapable?

As with most things in 2025, part of the answer for brainrot's inescapability involves AI. Consider those ridiculous Italian animals — a few years ago, you'd need artistic or Photoshop skills to create that nonsense. Now you need only a few seconds to create that slop.

It's no shock that brainrot's rise has come in tandem with AI slop's popularity — one piece of content can be both, in fact. As I previously wrote for Mashable: "AI slop is everywhere because it's easy to create, and because 'slop' in this context describes content made fast, at scale, with little risk or care." A study by video-editing platform Kapwing found that about half of YouTube Shorts were slop or brainrot.

Brainrot doesn't necessarily always involve AI, but when it does, it's super easy to create. And kids really seem to find the whole idea funny, which probably helps account for brainrot's popularity. If young people find it funny to have their brains rotted — or at least act like it — then it's naturally going to become popular.

With the rise of TikTok, we've all gotten quite used to scrolling mindlessly — brainrot seems to be a natural extension of that inclination. It can be nice to check out and tune in to something entirely mindless.

Brainrot isn't going anywhere — and it's not the end of the world — but maybe mix in a book everywhere once in a while.

Best deals for a fitness New Year's resolution Best Apple fitness tracker deal Apple Watch 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal Best workout earbuds deal Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best budget fitness tracker deal CMF Nothing Watch 3 Pro (Ash Grey) $64.57 (save $34.43) Get Deal Best exercise bike deal Peloton Bike $1,445 (save $250) Get Deal Best fitness equipment deal Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine $1,695 (save $500) Get Deal Best fitness app deal Peloton App One $12.99 for three months (save $25.98) Get Deal Best hydration deal Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler (30 ounce) $26 (save $14) Get Deal Best fitness attire deal Gymshark take up to 50% off men's and women's styles Get Deal

We're just days away from ringing in 2026. If you're like of us, we have intentions of being more active, heathy, and fit in the coming year. Cliche as it is, a new year is a great time for a fresh start with good-for-us habits. Getting fit is not only a gift for yourself, it's a gift to loved ones to keep yourself healthy and happy.

But workout resolutions tend to fall by the wayside quickly. In an attempt to stick to those new routines, it's helpful to have some fitness gear on hand that you love. Instead of dealing with headphones that fall out with every lift, a solid pair of workout earbuds can help with motivation. The same can be said for investing in a rowing machine or a workout app that you actually enjoy.

We've compiled the best fitness deals that we love ahead of the New Year. Upgrade to items that help you reach your goals from a great new water bottle to a shockingly inexpensive fitness tracker. Here are some great deals to snag today.

Best Apple fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 11.

Why we like it

A fitness tracker is one of the best ways to easily keep tabs on your health journey. Whether you walk the dog twice a day or have plans to train for a marathon in 2026, the Apple Watch 11 is perfect smartwatch that's loaded with fitness-tracking features. With GPS in a 41mm size, it usually sells for $399 but Amazon has it on sale for only $299 ahead of the New Year.

In Mashable's rating of the best fitness trackers, the Apple Watch 11 earns top marks thanks to its gorgeous design, comfortable fit, and speedy charging.

More fitness tracker deals

• Amazfit Bip 6 — $64.99 $79.99 (save $15)

• Fitbit Inspire 3 — $69.95 $99.95 (save $30)

• Fitbit Charge 6 — $119.95 $159.95 (save $40)

• Garmin Forerunner 55 — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Venu Sq 2 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Garmin vívoactive 5 — $186.83 $299.99 (save $113.16)

• Whoop 5.0/MG — $199 $239 (save $40)

• Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm) — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)

Best workout earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $50   Get Deal

Read our full review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

Why we like it

A good set of earbuds can make a world of difference, whether you're rocking out while working hard at the gym or listening to a podcast while walking around the neighborhood. In Mashable's analysis of the best workout earbuds, the Beats Prowerbeats Pro 2 earn the top spot. Lucky for us, they're $50 off at Amazon right now.

They satisfy the brief on so many levels like being durable, having accessible controls, and being comfortable enough for extended wear. Plus, the 10 hours of battery life is a big bonus.

More workout earbuds deals

• JLab Go Sport+ — $19.99 $29.88 (save $9.89)

• Soundcore V20i — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• JBL Endurance Peak 3 — $59.95 $99.95 (save $40)

• Beats Fit Pro (1st Gen) — $149 $199.99 (save $50.95)

• Soundcore AeroClip — $149.99 $169.99 (save $20)

• Bose Ultra Open Earbuds — $229 $299 (save $70)

Best fitness equipment deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hydrow Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine $1,695 at Amazon
$2,195 Save $500   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not looking to join a gym this year but you still yearn for a great workout from home, it's hard to beat a Hydrow. A rowing workout is a full-body strengthening experience and its low-impact is great for folks of all ages. Hydrow does is right with the Origin Rowing Machine which has a 22-inch rotating screen so you can follow along with beginner-friendly workouts or intense strength exercises. Snagging it from Amazon today will put you in line for a $500 discount which is a solid start to the New Year.

More fitness equipment deals

• Merach Water Rowing Machine — $269.99 $499.99 (save $230)

• Merach R50 Rowing Machine — $449.99 $799.99 (save $350)

• NordicTrack T Series Treadmill — $699 $999 (save $300)

• Echelon Stride-6 Treadmill — $1,699.99 $1,999.99 (save $300)

• Ergatta Luxe Rowing Machine — $1,899 $2,499 (save $600)

SAVE UP TO 30%: As of Dec. 30, Ruggable is holding an end of year sale featuring 15% off dog beds, 20% off select pillows and doormats, and between 25% and 30% off its machine washable rugs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable end of year sale Save up to 30% Shop Now

If your New Year's Resolution is merely to get your shit together, start with your home — if your space feels chaotic, your brain tends to follow suit. Get inspired for a refresh with Ruggable's end of year sale. Shop more than 30 pages of machine washable rugs between 25% and 30% off, including already-cushioned options that don't require assembly.

SEE ALSO: My cats and I found the 8 best vacuums for pet owners, from powerful hair pickup to livestream cameras

With an extended return window through Jan. 31, you might as well finally investigate firsthand whether Ruggable is worth it. If you need extra encouragement to make the investment, just peep the reviews on each rug (most have five stars). Mashable's hands-on Ruggable review will tell you that Ruggable rugs are definitely worth it in any home with lots of foot traffic.

A new rug is the obvious jumping point for any home refresh. That's partly due to the opportunities to switch up the vibe or color scheme that you've gotten bored with. But when it's a washable rug specifically, "refresh" can be taken more literally — you'll no longer be living with the ghosts of dirty shoe bottoms, drink spills, or muddy paw prints past. You could fully revamp a bigger space with a one of several large area rug sizes, or opt to test the waters with a new runner for a hallway. Most holiday patterns are on sale, too. (Personal note: The Ruggable that I have, the best-selling Calabria rug as a kitchen runner, is 25% off. Just saying.)

Well, now we know why Samsung is only selling the new Galaxy Z TriFold in limited markets. According to a new report, the company is selling its groundbreaking new foldable at a loss.

In fact, Samsung reportedly isn't even trying to profit off of each Galaxy Z TriFold phone it sells just yet.

A new report from Korean publication The Bell (via 9to5google) indicated that Samsung is selling the device, which recently launched in the company's home country, at a loss. In South Korea, the TriFold retails for 3,594,000 won, or roughly $2,500 USD, making it the most expensive phone in the company's portfolio by a pretty considerable margin. Still, Samsung is reportedly losing money on each unit sold, raising the question of how future TriFold phones might be priced going forward.

“This is a special edition product, so rather than selling it in bulk, we prepared it so that those who want it can try it out,” said Samsung Electronics Korea Vice President Lim Sung-taek at a Z Trifold launch event, according to a translated version of The Bell’s report. “There were various issues, such as the memory price, but we made a grand decision to reduce it and achieve this difficult price.

Currently, a global memory shortage driven by the AI boom has left critical RAM hardware components in short supply, as Mashable has reported previously.

SEE ALSO: The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is coming to America soon: Everything we know so far

While it's unusual to sell a product like this at a loss, there is precedent in the world of luxury tech devices.

Products like high-end video game consoles, for example, have been sold at a loss in the past, with the idea being that they'll remain on the market long enough for parts and manufacturing costs to eventually decrease, and the manufacturer will find other ways to recoup those losses in the meantime. Still, $2,500 is a lot of money for a phone, so if Samsung is losing money even at that extremely high price point, one has to wonder what the phone would actually cost if it were designed to make a profit from day one.

At any rate, U.S. customers don't have to worry about this for a little while longer. The Galaxy Z TriFold is slated to launch stateside in the early months of 2026, and it'll probably be expensive here, too.

Netflix has released the trailer for the last episode in Stranger Things' fifth and final season, teasing the end of the Duffer Brothers' hit series after a decade-long run. We've come a long way since the vanishing of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) in November 1983. 

It's been four years since Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) first encountered Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the Upside Down, and now their battle against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) is finally coming to a head. 

Having learned more about the Upside Down's true nature and Venca's ultimate plan, the Hawkins teens are on a mission to stop him once and for all, fighting alongside allies Joyce (Winona Ryder), Hopper (David Harbour), Max (Sadie Sink), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), Steve (Joe Keery), and Robin (Maya Hawke). It won't be an easy task though, and victory may require painful sacrifices.

The series finale of Stranger Things premieres Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Netflix.

TCL just unveiled its latest tablet — the Note A1 NXTPAPER. The e-note tablet delivers a distraction-free workspace powered by AI so you can focus more on taking notes and less on organizing them.

Launching on Kickstarter first, the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER is a tablet resembling the likes of ReMarkable's Paper Pro or the Kindle Scribe. It won't be the device for streaming or gaming, as it aims to keep you focused on note-taking or reading.

The TCL Note AI NXTPAPER comes with an 11.5-inch NXTPAPER Pure display, which delivers flicker-free visuals and paper-like clarity that's gentler on the eyes. TCL claims that the e-note tablet doesn't ghost (leaving remnants of erased pen marks or text on a previous page). It features color displays with a 16.7 million color range.

Record and transcribe meetings on the TCL A1 NXTPAPER. Credit: TCL

Where the tablet goes above and beyond is with its AI productivity tools. Wish your handwriting were neater? It'll "beautify" it. Plus, it can convert handwriting to text, do real-time transcription and translation with its included eight microphones.

The TCL Note AI NXTPAPER launches in late February of 2026, retailing for $549. Early access will be available through Kickstarter.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL Note AI NXTPAPER $549 at Kickstarter
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Samsung's next journey into the foldable frontier is underway in the form of the Galaxy Z TriFold, a foldable smartphone featuring two folds instead of just one. 

Just a few months after launching the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 foldables, Samsung has officially announced the TriFold, a smartphone that has two folding screens, resulting in three panels of usable phone. The internal screen measures a whopping 10 inches, comparable in size to a Galaxy Tab, while it folds down into a normal-sized 6.5-inch phone once fully closed. 

SEE ALSO: Did the foldable iPhone just get leaked? Seems like it.

So, what exactly do we know about the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold? Let's get into it.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Specs Credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

According to the official announcement, here are the specs coming on the Galaxy Z TriFold:

• Cover screen: 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

• Interior screen: 10-inch QXGA (2160 x 1584)  Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 

• RAM and Storage: 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage

• Rear cameras: 12 MP ultra-wide / 200 MP wide-angle / 10 MP telephoto

• Front cameras: 10 MP selfie camera (cover screen) / 10 MP selfie camera (main screen)

• Battery size: 5,600 mAh three-cell battery

• Dimensions (folded): 159.2 x 75.0 x 12.9mm

• Dimensions (unfolded): 159.2 x 214.1 x 3.9mm / 4.2mm / 4.0mm (screen with SIM tray, center screen, and screen with side button, respectively)

• Weight: 309 grams

In terms of processors, cameras, RAM, and all that other fun stuff, these specs are pretty similar to what you'd find in a Z Fold 7. The 6.5-inch cover display stands out especially, as the one on the Z Fold 7 is the exact same size. The 10-inch interior display, however, will be significantly larger than the 8-inch equivalent in the Z Fold 7. That's the big selling point here: When it's folded, this is sized like a bigger traditional smartphone, but when you unfold it, you're unlikely to find any phone with a bigger display.

Initially, thickness was a potential issue, as a trifold smartphone was bound to be a hair bit thicker than anything else on the market. At 12.9mm, it is a thick smartphone. For reference, the super-thin Galaxy Z Fold 7 is just 8.9mm when folded, which makes the Galaxy X TriFold about a third thicker than its closest sibling. Whether or not that’s a dealbreaker depends exclusively on how thick or thin you want your smartphone to be. 

That’s about the only complaint in an otherwise stellar spec sheet. The battery is nice and big, with Samsung stuffing 5,600 mAh into its three-cell system we first saw in a Korean phone patent. Each cell is hidden in each screen of the display, and it's a 1,200 mAh improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. 

SEE ALSO: Samsung and LG preview new Micro RGB TVs. OK, but what are Micro RGB TVs? Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Pricing

In terms of price, be prepared for this. Samsung announced that the price would be 3,594,000 won. This translates to roughly $2,450 (which Samsung will likely round up to $2,500). That’s quite a lot higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at $1,999.99. For availability, Samsung states that it will be first introduced in South Korea, followed by China, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and then eventually the United States. Per Bloomberg, Samsung is expected to ship a very limited volume, so it won’t be widely available everywhere.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: U.S. release date

Samsung officially released the Galaxy Z TriFold on Dec. 12 in South Korea, so it is in the wild now. The other regions where the phone is expected to launch, including the United States, are most likely going to see a launch in Q1 2026. That’s also when the Samsung Galaxy S26 is expected to launch, so the two may be released in tandem at an upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event.

If you can’t wait, there are plenty of unboxing videos on YouTube from the usual suspects, such as Mr. Who's the Boss and SuperSaf. The videos showcase the phone, including what it looks like when folded and unfolded, and demonstrate its general functionality, along with some other cool features. 

What do people think of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold?

Despite the high price tag, the Galaxy Z TriFold quite literally sold out in minutes. In South Korea, at least, the hype train is real, and Samsung can barely put these things on the shelves fast enough. The next batch is scheduled for Dec. 17th on Samsung’s website, and after that, we don’t know if they’ll have to continue rationing these out like they are now. 

Impressions online have been generally positive, with the few people who have actually had the opportunity to play with the smartphone stating that it’s certainly one of the most interesting smartphones in a while. Online and written impressions from publications are generally very positive, with complaints being fairly mild and often related to refinement, which is understandable given that this is a first-generation product. 

Here's what tech YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss said after trying out the phone: "So, honestly, I don't think the Trifold is this experimental quirky phone option. I actually think that this phone has immediately become the definitive Samsung foldable. You will have to handle it with care and you'll definitely have to pay for the privilege."

Social impressions were mixed, with some folks saying that this is the coolest new smartphone in years, while others are a little more guarded. 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"This is the true tablet killer," said one Redditor. Another stated that they were pleased to see Samsung innovating, and pontificated on when Apple would eventually release its first foldable. "Sign me up for one," another Redditor said. "[I’m] bored of my Folds." The most common sentiment among the excited was how absurd it would feel to be able to put a 10-inch tablet in your pocket. 

In terms of complaints, they fell into two camps. Excited people from Europe who are currently experiencing difficulties measuring their disappointment at not receiving a release there, and those wondering how the first-generation device will hold up over the long term. Some expressed worry about screen durability, especially since Samsung is offering a 50 percent discount on the first screen repair. Others are concerned with battery life, believing that the 10-inch display will chew through the 5,600 mAh battery rather quickly. 

With that said, very few people have gotten their hands on a Z TriFold, so we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to hear first-hand accounts on how it feels to use it day-to-day.

The New Year is right around the corner, which also means we’re already neck-deep in CES season. For 2026, the world’s largest consumer electronics show returns to Las Vegas and is expected to lean heavily into robots and "living with AI" — a direction car enthusiasts may not be thrilled about after last year’s vehicle-heavy spotlight.

SEE ALSO: LG to unveil a new home robot helper at CES 2026

That said, the biggest car manufacturers on the planet will still be there as the industry continues its full-speed pivot toward AI, much like everyone else. As with last year, expect far more software reveals than actual new car announcements, which — depending on who you ask — is either encouraging progress or a major letdown.

So, here’s everything you need to know about cars heading into CES 2026.

Sony-Honda is back again

At CES 2025, we covered the debut of the Sony–Honda joint venture’s first EV, the AFEELA 1. While we didn’t get to see it in motion, Sony-Honda Mobility Group did walk us through a demo of the car’s infotainment system. For 2026, the company plans to return with what it’s calling a "pre-production" version of the AFEELA 1, alongside an all-new concept vehicle.

What’s less clear is what Sony-Honda actually considers pre-production at this point. The version shown in 2025 already looked fairly road-ready, at least from a visual standpoint, making the distinction feel more semantic than substantive.

According to the SHM Group, their EVs are expected to start production sometime in 2026 and will initially be available only in California.

Software-defined vehicles take center stage (again)

If there’s one theme that will quietly dominate CES 2026, it’s the continued shift toward software-defined vehicles. This isn’t new, but it is becoming unavoidable. Automakers are less interested in showing off the vehicles themselves and more focused on proving their cars can evolve after they leave the factory.

That means operating systems, over-the-air updates, and modular software stacks will be everywhere. Companies like P3 are using CES to highlight Android Automotive — based platforms that let automakers roll out features, apps, and services long after a vehicle ships. For consumers, this could mean improved infotainment and enhanced features over time. For automakers, it’s about speed, flexibility, and, ultimately, new revenue streams.

The bigger shift is toward "agentic AI." For reference, these are AI systems that actively make decisions on behalf of the user, rather than just responding to commands.

At CES 2026, expect to see AI utilized for route planning, energy management, and driver assistance systems that adapt in real-time rather than follow fixed rules. On the surface, it's a meaningful attempt at innovation, but it raises some questions about privacy and how much control drivers are willing to relinquish.

Don't expect much spectacle

If CES 2025 was about big promises, CES 2026 looks more like a reality check. Several analysts have noted that automakers are now in the less glamorous phase of turning previous announcements into actual products. That's just how the state of the auto industry is right now, especially given the development of the EV industry in 2025.

Heading into CES 2026, the EV industry is in a noticeably more sober place than it was even a year ago. After years of aggressive timelines and all-in commitments, automakers are recalibrating as demand has proven softer and more uneven than expected. U.S. EV sales peaked in late 2025 ahead of the expiration of federal incentives, then dropped sharply, forcing companies like GM and Ford to pull back billions in planned EV spending while refocusing on hybrids, trucks, and SUVs that actually move volume.

Automakers are now operating in what industry analysts have called an era of "EV realism," where electrification is still the long-term goal, but the path there is slower, more fragmented, and far less ideological. Expect CES 2026 to reflect that shift.

That’s why the show may feel quieter from a car-news perspective, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. CES has always been a supplier-driven event, and this year will likely highlight chips, sensors, robotics, and manufacturing tech that won’t grab headlines.