CES 2025 has concluded, and a bewildered TechRadar team has come back with peculiar memories of unusual furry robots and light therapy facial masks. Indeed, CES can be a bizarre place, but it’s also a dependable preview of the types of devices and technological trends we are likely to observe in the upcoming year – thus, we’ve compiled all the significant ones in this one convenient location.
Rest assured, not everything will revolve around AI. In fact, we’ve excluded that from this compilation, as nearly everyone, except for isolated Amazon tribes, realizes that AI will be integrated into every product imaginable in 2025 – despite the absence of standout stars like the Rabbit R1 at this year’s exhibition.
Instead, our emphasis is on the trends we believe will impact the typical tech enthusiast the most. This includes developments in television technology (such as wireless connection units and RGB backlighting), intriguing innovations in laptop displays, and the rapidly expanding realm of smart eyewear.
However, it’s not solely about mainstream tech concepts, as we also highlight devices designed to enhance our coffee habits and the lives of our furry companions in 2025. So, take a short pause from your struggling New Year’s commitments and embark with us on a journey through this year’s most significant tech trends, as envisioned by CES…
1. RGB backlighting is the forthcoming innovation in TVs
Robots may attempt to capture attention, but televisions have always been central to CES. This year’s event showcased the most significant trend in TV technology: RGB backlighting for LCDs.
Of course, the technology giants all have their own perplexing terms for this innovation, with Hisense, Samsung, and TCL all proudly displaying their variations at CES 2025. Nonetheless, what’s essential is that it’s a novel approach to creating LCD TVs that will result in increased brightness or at least greater energy efficiency at the same brightness levels.
At present, most mini-LED backlights utilize a matrix of blue LEDs, which pass through a color filter to produce the final image. Conversely, RGB backlights (as the name indicates) incorporate red, green, and blue lights, thereby reducing the workload of the color filtering layer and allowing the brightness to shine through more effectively.
While this technology may not fully become mainstream this year, Samsung’s ‘RGB Micro LED Backlight’ is expected to debut in a 4K TV this year, with TCL following suit in 2026. Thus, if you happen to strike it rich in the lottery, Hisense’s 116-inch TV featuring its ‘TriChroma RGB Backlight’ will also arrive later this year. We predict a fierce competition between RGB backlighting and wireless connection units for the TV trend of 2025.
2. Enormous TVs will maintain their popularity
Oversized TVs are not exactly a novel trend at CES, but this marks the first instance we’ve encountered 100-inch models from nearly every major manufacturer. Hisense, Samsung, TCL, and LG all broke that barrier at the event, while Samsung also showcased a 115-inch version of its premium Samsung QN90F Neo QLED television.
Last year, we observed 97-inch TVs gaining immense popularity due to a combination of decreased prices (at least for more economical VA LCD panels) and a post-pandemic upgrade cycle that prompted many to replace the sets they purchased during lockdowns. So, does this imply that 100-inch models will become commonplace in 2025?
Not necessarily – as TechRadar’s TV hardware specialist James Davidson has expressed, many of the large units displayed at CES will fall within the premium price bracket (think around $15,000 / £20,000 and higher, based on current models). Moreover, 4K or UST (ultra-short throw) projectors will likely still provide superior value at these larger screen dimensions.
Nonetheless, CES 2025 has demonstrated that 100-inch giants are no longer mere concepts or unique models, and the increasing popularity of colossal TVs will probably persist this year.
3. E Ink will rescue us from screen fatigue
It can often seem as though we spend 90% of our waking hours gazing at screens; this is likely due to the fact that E Ink (or epaper) displays were once again a notable trend at CES 2025. Yes, they are screens too, but they tend to be far more eye-friendly (and consume less power) compared to an OLED display.
We witnessed Continental unveil vehicle dashboards equipped with personalized E Ink displays, which we prefer to the large head-up display of BMW’s latest iDrive system. The InkPoster, which utilizes E Ink’s latest advanced Spectra 6 color technology, also presents a discreet wall art option compared to Samsung’s The Frame Pro television.
However, our favorite take on this trend was the TCL 60 XE, which secured our CES 2025 award for mobile innovation. While it doesn’t employ electronic paper technology, TCL’s phone features an NXTPaper switch that allows you to instantly activate a mode that closely resembles an Amazon Kindle.
The transition between the two modes is reminiscent of the iPhone’s NameDrop feature, and the advantages include a minimal power consumption (potentially leading to a week-long battery life) and a refreshingly distraction-free reading experience on a mobile device. More of this, we request from Apple and Samsung.
4. Robot vacuums will acquire handy new skills
Robot vacuums performed like the court jesters of CES 2025, amusing spectators with a plethora of impressive new capabilities. However, they weren’t merely displaying – several of the innovative features seem genuinely beneficial.
The Roborock Z70, for instance, boasts a mechanical claw that collects wayward socks you’ve inconveniently left in its path and tosses them into a laundry basket. Regrettably, there were unfounded rumors that it also clicks its tongue at itself during this process.
Pushing the multi-tasking idea even further was the SwitchBot K20+ Pro, constructed on a modular design that allows you to add practical extras like an air purifier, security camera, and even a little tray for sandwich delivery.
On a practical front, the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete likely possesses the most advantageous superpower – the capability to ascend stairs. Its petite legs assist it in overcoming obstacles up to 4.2cm high in a single leap (or 6cm in two). Best of all, this function is labeled ‘ProLeap.’
5. Smart glasses are set to become truly mainstream
After several years, smart glasses are gradually gaining social acceptance – and CES 2025 suggests that this could be their breakthrough year.
Two models stood out among the various Ray-Ban Meta glasses competitors on display (which remain our preference as the finest AI smart glasses). The Halliday Smart Glasses successfully resemble conventional eyewear, primarily because they incorporate a tiny display rather than attempting to use waveguide technology to project information onto the lenses.
This screen resembles a 3.5-inch monochrome display when positioned near your eye – and it’s a solution that left us with mixed feelings, given that full AR specs are anticipated from Meta, Snap, and others in the next year or two. Still, it is functional, and the Halliday AI app allows for voice translation, turn-by-turn navigation, teleprompting, and more.
The recipient of our best AR glasses award at CES 2025, however, was the Xreal One Pros. Building on the Xreal One (a personal wearable display) released a few months prior, they offer Full HD visuals and a robust X1 chip with inherent spatial computing capabilities. We deemed it an “incredibly impressive experience” and eagerly await testing them in real-world scenarios soon.
6. Health technology will seamlessly integrate into the background
Smart home technology can still feel exasperatingly simplistic, but CES 2025 hinted at what we’ve always desired – personal health tracking that merges with traditional home items, such as bathroom mirrors.
At present, mirror technology maxes out at LED lights and superfluous motion sensors. However, the Withings Omnia (unfortunately just a concept for now) promises to synchronize with other devices to provide a comprehensive view of your health (to elucidate the weary-looking individual in the reflection).
The mirror’s base can also gauge your weight, cardiovascular health, and metabolic status, thus eliminating the need to invest in numerous other gadgets. It will also reportedly run ECG (electrocardiogram) scans and detect signs of atrial fibrillation, all packaged within an accessory that sports a very Black Mirror aesthetic, in a positive manner.
Elsewhere at CES 2025, we had Samsung’s AI-driven micro-LED mirror assess and evaluate our skin health before providing a list of suggestions (which surprisingly didn’t include ‘attempt to sleep for over two hours’). Meanwhile, discreetly stationed on a wall was our favorite piece of workout technology at the event, the Amp Fitness machine – think Peloton for cable-based strength training.
7. Our pets will enjoy a gadget frenzy in 2025
We didn’t directly inquire with any cats or dogs regarding their impressions of CES 2025, but we assume many would have given the show a satisfied nod. There was a plethora of technology crafted for our beloved companions, with a few items standing out.
The first of these – the Levoit Pet Odor & Hair Air Purifier – serves more for pet owners than for the canine companion. It is designed to swiftly identify what are politely termed “key substances” and adjusts the fan accordingly to effectively eliminate the unwelcome smell, while a carbon filter aids in neutralizing them. If it results in your dog spending less time being exiled from the living room, we’re sure it will appreciate it.
Cats will likely also express their approval of LG’s AeroCatTower, an air purifier that doubles as a platform for a cat bed. The tower features a heater to keep your feline snug and cozy, and there’s even an integrated scale to surreptitiously track its weight. The only drawback is that your lap may suddenly become a less appealing sleeping spot for your kitty.
With a new iteration of the Pawport pet door and a next-gen canine tracker dubbed Tractive (which promisesto explain why your canine is vocalizing) also on display at CES 2025, there’s no question that animals – and even insects – are set to enjoy a delightful, tech-driven year.
8. Laptops will provide us with additional screen space
We’re not discussing oversized laptops – rather, we’re highlighting standard-sized laptops that magically expand their screen space from seemingly thin air, such as the new Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable.
Unveiled at CES 2025, this ThinkBook is a pioneering model – a laptop featuring a ‘rollable display’ that you can genuinely purchase. As showcased in the video below, the screen extends from a 14-inch horizontal display to a 16.7-inch vertical one at the touch of a button.
While we undoubtedly harbor concerns about durability and the repairs needed if that rolling mechanism fails, it’s tough not to feel thrilled by the sheer gadget excitement that Lenovo has accomplished here. That is until you notice the $3,499 (approximately £2,865 / AU$5,685) price tag in the US.
Rollable screens aren’t the only method through which laptops will expand our screen space in 2025. The new Asus Zenbook Duo (2025) also left a significant impression at CES 2025 – it boasts two beautiful 14-inch, 3K resolution OLED touchscreens and can also function as a conventional laptop, using a classic keyboard that rests atop one of them.
We’ve dubbed it the “master of portability,” and it’s yet another illustration of how much more adaptable laptops are set to become in 2025.
9. Oura and Samsung will face significant smart ring contenders
The previous CES 2024 was where smart rings took over from smartwatches as the most exhilarating advancement in wearables – and this year, we observed these tiny health trackers truly evolve.
The competition for the title of the premier smart ring has now expanded beyond just Oura and Samsung. At CES 2025, the Circular Ring 2 arrived, showcasing several advantageous innovations – an app-based sizing system that’s far superior to conventional methods.on synthetic rings and an FDA-approved AFib identification algorithm.
In the meantime, Ultrahuman has fully embraced the high-end market with its new 18K gold and platinum variants of its smart rings. These fresh Ultrahuman Rare editions (priced beginning at £1,499, or approximately $1,900 / AU$3,000) might not be the ones we’re rushing to purchase, but they illustrate that the smart ring sector is broadening.
Even with their small dimensions, there remains potential for advancement in smart rings as well – the South Korean venture VIV Health unveiled the VIV Ring at CES 2025, which can create personalized sounds to assist with your slumber by analyzing your sleep patterns.
10. Coffee will receive the technological upgrade
According to coffee experts, the prominent trends for this year will include premium pods, sustainably sourced beans, and an increasing number of home espresso enthusiasts. However, if CES 2025 is any indication, we can also add peculiar and unusual coffee devices to that list.
One of the most bizarre was the KaraPod, which never requires refilling with water – instead, it utilizes compressed air from your residence to create your brew. This idea left us somewhat conflicted between the undeniable environmental perks and the somewhat peculiar feeling of sipping the (albeit filtered) moisture from our drying laundry.
Nonetheless, a few other interesting concepts we observed included the AstroBrew device (which guarantees to prepare a delicious cold brew swiftly) and the Midea Barista Brew system, which inevitably employs AI to adapt to your flavor inclinations. Regardless of your preferences, a cup of instant coffee will no longer suffice in 2025.
11. The AI robots are approaching
It is painfully evident that AI will be a technological trend in 2025, hence we chose to exclude it from this compilation. There is also justifiable hype fatigue among technology enthusiasts who perceive that AI may be benefiting shareholders more than the general public. Yet one AI-related domain where it’s making a captivating impact is in robotics.
Last year, we engaged with the creator of the Ai-Da robot, which crafted a painting that fetched more than $1 million, and we can anticipate many more narratives within that theme in 2025. This is primarily because robotics firms like Realbotix are integrating AI to render their humanoid robots increasingly convincingly lifelike.
@techradar Realbotix Aria humanoid robot interview! She moves, converses, can utilize AI to recognize emotions, and much more! Oh, and she comes with a price tag of $175k. #ces2025 #techtok #techradar #ces #viral #lasvegas #robot #humanoidrobot #humanoid #uncanny #uncannyvalley
We had a conversation with the Realbotix Aria at CES 2025 above (available for a cool $175,000) and, while there remains considerable progress to make, its capacity to engage in more meaningful dialogue and also react to your physical well-being using an infrared camera indicates the rapid trajectory of this technology.
In a similar vein, Agility Robotics (the manufacturer of the Digit robot below) discussed their ambition to become the first humanoid robot enterprise capable of developing a robot that can safely collaborate alongside humans. If you believed the boundaries between humans and machines were blurring in 2024, then 2025 is poised to deliver some surprises for you…