CES 2026: Qualcomm Discusses the Contours of the 6G Era—What Comes After the 5G Maturity Phase
In January 2026, at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) held in Las Vegas, USA, an important panel discussion was held to look ahead at the next two years of the wireless industry.Three experts—a Senior Vice President from Qualcomm, a consumer trends expert from Target Path, and a product lead from Samsung—spoke about industry transformation and growth opportunities from the three perspectives of technology, consumer demand, and products. This article summarizes the key points of that discussion and explains the new phase the wireless industry is facing.
1. Three Transformative Factors Driving the Industry
At the beginning of the panel, it was pointed out that the wireless industry has entered a new phase of transformation. While previous transformations were driven by responses to market saturation,the current transformation is driven by three factors: technological innovation, spectrum sales, and changes in leadership at telecommunications carriers.
Particularly noteworthy is that two of the three major US telecommunications carriers saw changes in top management between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.This is not merely a personnel change, but is seen as a symbolic event indicating that the entire industry is searching for a new strategic direction. A Qualcomm technology expert explained, "Communication infrastructure is extremely important as a national asset, and operators are at the stage of building long-term strategies with an eye toward the deployment of 6G networks."
2. The Rise of AI and Edge Computing
2-1. The Importance of Data Generation on Devices
Walking around the venue, one can feel that AI (Artificial Intelligence) is fundamentally changing how wireless technology is used. Data traffic, which was previously centered on "consumption," is now shifting toward "creation."
The Qualcomm expert presented an interesting data point: "The importance of sending data created by users and data generated by IoT devices back to the network is increasing. This is a turning point from consumption to creation, and between 2026 and 2027, the value of high-quality uplinks from devices to the network will be recognized."
Along with this, telecommunications carriers are beginning to deploy services that emphasize upload quality as "QoS (Quality of Service)" or "differentiated services."
2-2. AI as a New User Interface
According to the Samsung representative,more than two-thirds of Galaxy AI service users regularly use AI featuresthey stated. "AI was a buzzword at CES in 2024 and 2025, but it has now become a service that consumers actually use every day."
AI technology is functioning as a "new UI (user interface)." Instead of downloading hundreds of apps and operating them individually, we are moving toward a world of "agentic AI" that enables more intuitive interaction through voice.
3. Diversifying Device Form Factors
3-1. The Evolution of Foldable Smartphones
The Samsung product lead showcased a tri-fold smartphone prototype at the venue."Growth over the next two years will come from innovations in form factors and new use cases. By the time my children are my age, it is certain they will not be carrying around conventional bar-type smartphones," they said.
Foldable devicesallow users to enjoy gaming and video viewing on an 11-inch display, while also being compact enough to carry when needed. An era is arriving where the optimal shape can be chosen according to the application.
3-2. Wearable Devices and Health Features
Smartwatcheswere once devices for improving productivity, but they have now established a firm position as health and wellness devices. With the collected data and AI processing capabilities, they have begun to provide feedback on healthier lifestyles.
In 10 or 20 years, it will be an era of using multiple devices according to the purpose, such as smartwatches, earphones, and AR glasses, rather than a single device. The Qualcomm expert predicted, "We are transitioning from an era of pairing with smartphones via Bluetooth to an era where more devices are directly connected via cellular."
4. Consumer Trends and Sales Opportunities
4-1. Sustained demand for power solutions
A consumer trends expert from Target Path asked the audience at the venue, "Who has a portable battery?" and "Who has a charging solution?" Almost everyone raised their hands. This illustrates the fundamental challenge consumers face.
According to the panelists, power-related products remain a top trend, with particularly high demand for portable power, multi-functional power, and charging solutions that support multiple devices. In the modern era, where we constantly use multiple devices such as smartwatches, earphones, and smartphones, reliable power solutions are essential.
Interestingly, as the average selling price (ASP) for consumers has risen, the willingness to pay for high-quality solutions has also increased. The fact that data shows consumers are "willing to pay for quality" provides an important insight for the industry.
4-2. Growth of the content creator market
A newly emerging focus is the market for content creators. As a result of advanced technology allowing everyone to create high-quality content, demand for better microphones, mounting docks, tripods, carrying cases, and more is surging.
"There is zero tolerance for latency or upload issues. People expect high quality, and the data shows they are willing to pay for it," said the Target Path expert.
5. Outlook and challenges for the next two years
5-1. Predictions for breakthrough products
When asked about "breakthrough products for the next two years," the panelists provided the following answers:
Cellular-connected AR glasses (Qualcomm): Smart glasses that enable outdoor augmented reality experiences without the need for device pairing
Voice-enabled solutions (Target Path): Products that integrate voice and communication without the need for touch operation
Diverse form factors (Samsung): New device shapes that leverage AI-driven personalization, such as glasses and voice solutions
5-2. Key elements for success
Finally, a question was posed regarding the "single most important thing" for the industry to succeed.
Qualcomm cited "establishing a U.S. spectrum strategy for 6G." The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be a critical opportunity to demonstrate U.S. leadership in 6G.
Target Path emphasized "service reliability." As the use of diverse devices expands, there is a demand for services that are fast, simple, and reliable.
Samsung pointed to a "consumer-first" attitude. They expressed the view that "while there is an environment of anxiety regarding external factors like tariffs and memory prices, ultimately, putting the consumer first drives growth. If you worry too much about external factors, you lose sight of the essence."
5-3. Smart home and connected experiences
Samsung announced that SmartThings has enabled 430 million connected homes worldwide. Consumers expect an experience where they can seamlessly manage various devices throughout their homes. This is an era where management via an integrated platform is required, rather than managing them separately across 10 different apps.
By integrating AI, you can gain insights into power consumption and device management, enabling a more efficient home environment.
Conclusion
The panel discussion at CES 2026 clearly demonstrated that the wireless industry is evolving from mere communication infrastructure into a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates AI, healthcare, content creation, and smart homes. Over the next two years, a combination of technological innovation, shifting consumer needs, and changes in strategic leadership will bring significant growth opportunities to the industry.
What is important is that consumers are not just looking for the latest technology, but for solutions that are 'reliable, easy to use, and solve everyday problems.' Keeping this fundamental principle in mind while integrating new technologies will lead to success for the entire industry.
