New Tech Gadgets Releases in 2026: The Ultimate Guide to Q1 Launches

The first quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for consumer electronics. From the arrival of triple-folding smartphones to the integration of "Local AI" in every laptop, the tech landscape is shifting.

If you are planning your tech budget for next year, here is everything you need to prepare for in January, February, and March 2026.

New Tech Gadgets release in 2026

1. Smartphones: The Battle of the Flagships

The first three months of the year are dominated by two giants: Samsung and Apple.

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Series (Expected February 2026). The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the most anticipated Android phone of 2026. 

What’s New: Rumours point to the Exynos 2600 (for international markets) and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, focusing heavily on 2nm processor efficiency.

• The Wildcard: Keep an eye out for the Galaxy Z Tri-Fold. Samsung is expected to finally commercialise its triple-folding screen technology in Q1 to compete with Huawei.

• Apple iPhone 17e (Expected March 2026): Following the success of the SE line, Apple is rumoured to refresh its "budget" offering with the iPhone 17e.

Key Specs for these phones: 

A move to the A19 chip and the introduction of the Dynamic Island to the entry-level lineup. This device is designed to bring Apple Intelligence (AI) to a wider audience at a lower price point.

2. Laptops and Computing: The "M5" Era Begins

Apple and Intel are set for a head-to-head collision in early 2026.

• Apple M5 MacBook Air

Apple traditionally refreshes its MacBook Air line in the spring. The M5 MacBook Air will likely be the star of a March 2026 event. While the chassis design remains similar to the M3/M4 models, the M5 chip is expected to offer a massive leap in Neural Engine performance for on-device AI tasks.

• Intel Panther Lake & Windows AI PCs

Unveiled at CES 2026 (January 6-9), the first laptops featuring Intel’s Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3) will hit shelves in February. These chips are built on the Intel 18A node, promising significantly better battery life to finally rival Apple Silicon.

3. CES 2026: Smart Home & TV Innovations

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas sets the tone for the year. In 2026, expect three major trends:

• Affordable Micro-LED: Brands like Hisense and TCL are expected to announce the first "consumer-priced" Micro-LED TVs, moving away from high-end OLED.

• Apple’s Smart Home Hub: Rumours suggest Apple will debut its long-awaited Wall-Mounted Smart Display in late Q1. This device will act as a command centre for HomeKit and Matter-enabled devices.

• AR Glasses: Following the Meta Orion teasers, expect Google and Samsung to showcase their collaborative AR glasses project in January, with early-access sales starting shortly after.

4. Gaming and Performance

PC gamers should mark January 2026 on their calendars.

• AMD Ryzen 9000 X3D Refreshes: Expect the formal launch of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, which aims to reclaim the crown for the world’s fastest gaming CPU.

• NVIDIA RTX 50-Series Mobile: While the desktop cards launch in 2025, the RTX 50-series laptop GPUs will dominate the high-end gaming laptop market starting in February 2026.

Summary Table: Q1 2026 Tech Launch Calendar

How to Prepare

• Trade-in Windows: If you plan to upgrade to the Galaxy S26, trade in your current device in early January when values typically peak before the new announcement.

• Wait on Laptops: Avoid buying a high-end laptop in December 2025. The shift to Snapdragon X Elite 2 and Intel 18A chips in early 2026 will offer a much higher performance-per-watt ratio.

• Check Matter Compatibility: If you're eyeing the new Apple Home Hub, ensure your current smart devices are Matter-compatible for a seamless setup.

• Keep an eye on our website and IG page for more information/updates