Samsung, Google unveil foldable phones, AI devices at IFA 2026

Europe’s largest consumer tech show, IFA 2026, opened its doors to the public in Berlin on Tuesday, following a week of announcements that have already set the tech calendar for the year. Brands from Samsung to Sony, Xiaomi to Google revealed new gadgets ranging from flagship smartphones to AI‑powered home assistants, all on the show’s main floor and in its satellite halls. The event, which runs from September 12 to 16, is a key barometer for what consumers will see on shelves next year.

The show matters because it is the biggest platform in Europe for manufacturers to test new ideas and gauge consumer reaction before launching in the U.S. market. IFA has long been a launchpad for foldable displays, and this year it pushed that trend further, with Samsung’s Galaxy S24 folding into a 6.8‑inch 120‑Hz screen and Sony’s new Foldable OLED boasting a 120‑Hz refresh rate and 200‑MP camera. Xiaomi also unveiled its own foldable phone, featuring a 48‑MP main sensor and a 120‑Hz display, making it the cheapest high‑end foldable on the market.

Beyond phones, the show highlighted a shift toward sustainability and AI. Several companies introduced laptops built from recycled materials, and a new line of smart home hubs announced a voice‑recognition system that can learn user preferences over time. Google’s latest Nest Hub now supports a privacy‑first AI mode that limits data collection to local processing. These products show how manufacturers are balancing performance with environmental and data‑privacy concerns, a trend that will influence regulatory scrutiny in the coming months.

Next steps for the tech community are clear. The devices revealed at IFA will roll out in European markets next spring, with U.S. releases expected in the fall. Industry analysts will monitor sales data to see if foldable phones can capture a larger share of the premium market. Meanwhile, European regulators will review the new AI features for compliance with the Digital Services Act, and the show will close on September 16 with a final press briefing. The outcomes of IFA 2026 will shape the narrative heading into CES 2027 and beyond.