Before the official start of CES 2026, Samsung held The First Look preview event in Las Vegas as usual. Led by TM Roh, CEO of the DX Device Experience Business Group, the event officially set the core vision for this year as "Companion to AI Living".
Samsung is not only talking about hardware specifications this time, but also emphasizing that through its vast ecosystem spanning mobile devices, displays and home appliances, it can elevate AI from a "tool" to a "companion" that can understand, predict and proactively take care of users.
More than just a TV, it's the AI commander of your home.
In the display section, besidesThe 130-inch Micro RGB TV (R95H) announced earlierIn addition to its stunning 100% BT.2020 wide color gamut and Timeless Frame design, the software uses Vision AI Companion (VAC) to connect the entire experience.
This brand-new "AI companion" can not only recommend videos, but also tell you "what to eat while watching this show," and even send recipes directly to your kitchen appliances. For sports fans, the AI Soccer Mode Pro can automatically adjust the picture and sound to stadium viewing level, while the AI Sound Controller Pro allows users to adjust the background sound or commentary volume individually by voice.
It is worth noting that all Samsung TVs in the 2026 series (including Micro RGB, Micro LED, OLED, Neo QLED, etc.) support the next-generation HDR10+ ADVANCED standard and promise to provide 7 years of Tizen OS operating system updates to ensure that the TVs can keep up with the evolution of AI algorithms in the long term.
In addition, for gamers, Samsung launched its first 6K 3D Odyssey G9 gaming monitor, as well as the new generation of Odyssey G6 and G8 series, continuing to flex its muscles in the top-of-the-line display field.
Gemini in the kitchen: The refrigerator finally understands what you're freezing.
In the home appliance sector, Cheolgi Kim, head of Samsung's Digital Appliances Business, announced that SmartThings has surpassed 4.3 million users worldwide, and this massive data base makes Samsung's home appliances smarter.
This year, the flagship Family Hub smart refrigerator introduced AI Vision, a feature built on Google Gemini technology. Previously, refrigerator cameras often misidentified food (for example, mistaking scallions for garlic sprouts). Now, with Gemini, the identification is not only more accurate, but it can also automatically track food coming in and out. Furthermore, through the "What's for Today?" function, it recommends recipes based on available ingredients, reducing food waste.
In addition, the new Bespoke AI Jet Bot Steam Ultra robotic vacuum cleaner is equipped with a Qualcomm Dragonwing processor and an active stereo 3D sensor, which can accurately identify liquid stains on the floor (even transparent water) and act as a home security patrol pet to detect abnormal situations.
Cross-industry collaboration: Using smart home appliances to help you save on insurance premiums
One of the most unique highlights of the event was Samsung's announcement of a groundbreaking partnership with insurance company Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB).
The logic behind this plan is: since your smart home appliances can monitor leaks, fire risks, or abnormal power consumption, insurance companies should offer you lower premiums. Following its successful pilot in the US, this service will be expanded to more states across the country and global markets this year, demonstrating a real-world example of how "data monetization" in the AI era can benefit consumers.
Care Companion: Shifting from "Treatment" to "Prevention"
Finally, Praveen Raja, Vice President of Digital Health at Samsung Research Institute (SRA), outlined the future of Intelligent Care.
By integrating smartphones, smartwatches, and home appliances, Samsung aims to shift from passive health tracking to proactive "preventative care." For example, wearable devices can detect subtle changes in gait or voice to identify early signs of dementia; or the refrigerator can recommend suitable recipes based on your health data. All of this is built upon the robust cybersecurity of Samsung Knox and Knox Matrix, ensuring your privacy data remains secure.
Analysis: The ecosystem is Samsung's strongest competitive advantage.
In my opinion, while the hardware highlights of The First Look this year (such as the 130-inch Micro RGB) are still eye-catching, the real strength lies in the integration of software and services.
While other brands are still selling standalone AI TVs or AI refrigerators, Samsung is already thinking about how to enable refrigerators to communicate with TVs and how to connect robot vacuums with insurance companies. This ecosystem strategy of "fighting as a group" is Samsung's strongest moat in the face of strong challenges from Chinese home appliance brands. If Vision AI Companion can operate as smoothly as demonstrated, it will greatly increase user stickiness to the entire Samsung ecosystem.
However, returning to software services still faces challenges, namely whether they can operate smoothly in the global market. For example, whether the services can comply with the market regulations and policies of various countries and regions, especially those involving insurance and medical data applications, will also affect whether the services can be actually implemented. Otherwise, the functions and actual experience of these AI home appliance applications will still be limited.
