The CES conference has long been a global stage for breakthrough consumer electronics. Across Las Vegas, innovations from a host of accessory makers revealed how the next wave of consumer electronics will be defined not by how fast devices compute or display, but by how reliably and efficiently they are powered.
This shift reflects a broader evolution from viewing charging as an afterthought to making it a core user experience — seamless, intelligent, and unified across devices. Below we unpack the meaningful technology revealed at CES 2026, explain why it matters to users today, and situate the rise of standards like Qi 2.2 wireless charging and AI in the context of real product launches.
A New Era of Wireless Power: Qi 2.2 Takes the Lead
One of the most talked-about developments at CES 2026 was the increasing industry adoption of Qi 2.2 — the latest evolution of wireless charging standards. Unlike earlier wireless solutions that capped out at modest speeds or relied on loose magnetic alignment, Qi 2.2 combines precise magnetic coupling and higher real-world power output, making wireless approaches a practical choice for today's power-hungry phones and accessories.
Across exhibition halls, several major companies showcased Qi 2.2-equipped products:
- Anker's New Prime Wireless Charging Station was one of the standout products of the show — a foldable, travel-ready Qi2 device capable of up to 25 W of wireless power, designed for phones, watches, and earbuds. It uses advanced thermal management to keep charging efficient and reliable.
- Belkin's UltraCharge Modular Charging Dock leverages Qi2.2 (25 W) to power phones and other accessories simultaneously, with clever modular design and magnetic alignment flexibility.
- Aukey's MagFusion DeskHive 5X Pro integrates a 25 W Qi2 wireless charging stand with a 200 W (in total) multi-port charging hub, blending both wireless and wired performance in a station.
As a company that constantly stays at the forefront of technology, INIU is also closely monitoring Qi2.2 wireless charging technology. As part of its new product launch plan, INIU will soon release a new wireless power bank. As a powerful wireless charging product, it will support:
- Qi 2.2 25W wireless charging
- 45W wired charging with lanyard-style charging cable
- Digital display screen with extremely thin design
These products showcase a clear trend: magnetic wireless charging is maturing into a universal charging experience rather than a peripheral add-on — capable of real-world performance previously reserved for wired connections.
USB-C Power Delivery (PD): The Backbone of Modern Charging
While wireless technologies commanded attention, the show floor also underscored that USB-C PD continues to be the baseline for fast wired charging. Exhibitors across categories — from laptops and tablets to power hubs and portable chargers — demonstrated how PD standards are now essential for multi-device ecosystems.
Across CES 2026:
Power hubs with over 100 W of PD output were common, allowing laptops, phones, and accessories to be powered from a single outlet.
GaN-based chargers dominated accessory tables, shrinking footprints while delivering high-wattage performance with improved thermal efficiency.
With PD 3.1 outputs becoming more common, users can expect laptops, tablets, and dock-station setups that consolidate both data and power over a single cable, simplifying workflows at home and on the road.
Real AI Applications from CES 2026
At CES 2026, artificial intelligence was everywhere, it becomes a practical feature embedded into consumer electronics and systems that impact everyday life. While not all AI use cases are tied directly to charging hardware, the broader trends show how AI is increasingly integrated into devices that interact with users, adapt to environments, or provide proactive intelligence.
1. AI in Smart Home and Connected Appliances
Major brands showcased AI integration in home devices that truly anticipate user needs:
For example, LG demonstrated an AI-infused ecosystem where appliances are contextually aware and work together, enabling smoother everyday living — part of their “Zero Labor Home” vision. LG's AI connects refrigerators, ovens, and other devices through its ThinQ platform to predict user needs and automate actions.
These innovations indicate AI moving from abstract capabilities to real, context-aware behavior, which lays the groundwork for smarter device ecosystems.
2. AI in Wearables and Personal Devices
CES 2026 also highlighted AI in next-generation personal electronics:
For example, Solos AirGo V2 smart glasses incorporate multimodal AI that recognizes text, objects, and audio cues, enabling real-time assistance and contextual responses.
Razer's Project Motoko concept headset functions as a wearable AI assistant with built-in cameras and support for advanced language models, aiming for contextual understanding and instantaneous responses tailored to the user.
These products showcase how AI is shifting user interaction paradigms, enabling devices to understand and react to the environment and user intent in real time.
3. AI Hubs, Robots, and Interactive Systems
AI's presence at CES 2026 extended into interactive robotics and companion systems:
Robot platforms like humanoid robots and AI companions were widely displayed, underscoring how machine intelligence is being used for more autonomous and adaptive behavior in physical products.
Speaker-style AI companions and holographic assistants — such as Razer's Project AVA — give a glimpse of how AI may become part of user environments beyond just software interfaces.
These systems demonstrate broader AI application in understanding and reacting to human context.
Why These AI Trends Matter for Charging and Power Ecosystems
Although examples of charging devices utilizing AI technology have not yet appeared at the CES 2026, the widespread trend of intelligent adaptive devices provides a compelling context for the future direction of charging solutions:
Context awareness: Devices that understand the user's routine can potentially predict when charging is needed and manage power delivery intelligently.
System integration: AI-enabled ecosystems — like those LG showcased — suggest that charging might one day be coordinated across phones, wearables, laptops, and smart home devices based on holistic energy profiles.
Powerful computing capabilities: The increasingly powerful AI computing capabilities demonstrated by chip suppliers are enabling AI decision-making to be integrated into smaller, more everyday devices, making future chargers smarter and more responsive.
However, while facing such a dazzling array of AI front-end technologies, many consumers are also questioning the future development of AI technology and its impact on people's lives. How to ensure that AI technology becomes something that makes people's lives more convenient, rather than infringing on their privacy rights and causing them problems, is a serious consideration for every manufacturer like INIU.
Why These Advances Matter to Real Users
Beyond tech buzz, the products at CES 2026 address everyday user pain points that have persisted in charging technologies:
- Slower wireless speeds are being overtaken as Qi2.2 capable devices approach 25 W output — bringing wireless charging closer to wired convenience.
- Multiple cables and chargers on desks and nightstands are being consolidated into intuitive hubs.
- Portable power is no longer one-size-fits-all; new power banks balance capacity, portability, and output performance.
- Device and battery health is becoming part of the charging conversation — with better heat management and smart delivery now embedded in products.
Frequently Asked Questions After CES 2026
Is Qi2.2 truly better than Qi 2?
Yes — Qi2.2 brings enhanced magnetic alignment precision and faster real-world wireless output (up to ~25 W), making wireless charging more practical for mainstream use. However, Qi2 is currently the mainstream compatibility standard for most compatible devices, so it's suggested that consumers choose the wireless charging device that best suits their budget and lifestyle.
Does wireless charging replace PD chargers?
Not completely. While wireless is improving, USB-C PD remains the backbone for high-wattage applications, especially for laptops and multi-device setups.
Are smart charging stations worth it?
Products that integrate power management, displays, and safety features improve long-term battery health and user visibility — key advances highlighted at CES 2026.
Conclusion
With Qi2.2 wireless charging emerging as a viable everyday solution, USB-C PD pushing the limits of speed and versatility, and intelligent charging paving the way for better battery health and energy management, the consumer electronics landscape is shifting.
For users and brands alike, this means faster, smarter, and more unified charging ecosystems — a trend that companies like INIU are embracing with forward-looking products tailored for the modern mobile experience.
