The 10 Biggest Product Rumors Heading Into CES 2017

Rumors Before The Big Show

The biggest product showcasing event of the year, CES, is only two weeks away – and already the tech industry is buzzing with speculation about which new smartphones, tablets and smartwatches will be released.

Last year's CES saw an array of wearables and mobile phones, including the Fitbit Blaze, the LG Signature OLED G6 Television, and the Samsung 2-in-1 Galaxy TabPro S. Vendors are expected to raise the bar at this year's show with new Internet of Things products and connected cars.

From a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon refresh to new Sony OLED TVs, here are some of the products that are rumored to make an appearance at CES.

Foldable Display Smartphone From Samsung

Samsung has always specialized in display technology, and many think that the company will take that a step forward at this year's CES, where we expect a new foldable display smartphone will be announced. The new smartphone, which is part of a rumored project called "Project Valley," is expected to have display panel that is flexible and can be folded into a book, with a hinge on the back.

Asus ZenFone AR

At this year's CES, Asus is expected to launch the ZenFone AR, a smartphone with advanced functionality and performance at a competitive price. This smartphone will take advantage of Google Tango, a computer vision platform for mobile devices, which enables augmented reality for smartphones. For instance, phones with integrated Google Tango could take real-time measurements of a room.

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

Graphics processor maker Nvidia is expected to use CES to launch a powerful new graphics card, the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. The card--likely a heavier-duty version of the GTX 1080--could be ideal for 4K gaming with 10GB of video RAM expected to be included. Rumors also suggest the card will come with a 384-bit memory bus. The specs suggest the card would be positioned as a more-affordable option than the TITAN X for serious gamers.

New Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Lenovo is expected to unveil a refreshed version of the workplace-friendly ThinkPad X1 Carbon during CES in January. Leaked specifications suggest the new X1 Carbon will be getting a processor upgrade, up to seventh-generation Intel Core i processors (Kaby Lake). The new version may also include upgrades to battery life (to 15.5 hours, from the current 11 hours) and portability (it's rumored to weigh 2.51 pounds, 6 percent lighter than the current X1 Carbon).

LG Smartphones

LG is expected to launch a slew of new phones during CES in its K-series, X-series and Stylus series. The new K-series phones could include K3, K4, K8 and K10 models, with a range of display sizes and varying cameras. The company is also rumored to be debuting a new smartphone for its X series at CES, the LG X Calibur, an ultra-durable device with long battery life. A final rumor suggests LG plans to launch a new version of its Stylus phablet, the Stylus 3, a 5.7-inch device that comes with a digital pen.

Fiat Chrysler Electric Vehicles

High-tech motor vehicles could also be among the big reveals at CES in January. Fiat Chrysler --which is not hosting a press conference at the Detroit auto show, presumably in favor of CES -- is expected to unveil two fully electric vehicles during the conference. One of the vehicles is rumored to be similar to the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. The other is expected to be an electric Maserati sports car, which would competition for high-end sportscars made by Tesla Motors.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

Rumors suggest Samsung is planning to debut a brand-new tablet, the Galaxy Tab S3, at CES in January -- with 8-inch and 9.7-inch versions possible. It's also expected that the Galaxy Tab S3 will get an upgraded processor, possibly a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652, and will come with a 4,000 mAh battery for the smaller version and a 5,870 mAh battery for the larger edition. It's also rumored that that Tab S3 will come in Wi-Fi and LTE versions.

Nvidia Plans To Reveal New SHIELD Android TV

Rumors are swirling around a possible CES release of a new SHIELD Android television by Nvidia. According to reports, Nvidia is expected to make changes to its new TV unit specs – including support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac to speed up Wi-Fi performance, and built-in MIMO antennas.

There are also expectations that Nvidia will introduce changes to its SHIELD controller so that it will use Bluetooth Low Energy, as opposed to relying more on Wi-Fi direct for a connection. This shift could enable a better connection for end users. The SHIELD controller is also reported to have better battery life than the existing product.

Sony New OLED Televisions

Sony is rolling out two OLED televisions in 2017, and it is rumored that this year's CES will be the company's launching pad for the new products.

CEP Barry Young said that Sony would be providing the OLED TVs in a 55-inch and 65-inch version. The new 4K TVs are expected to retail for $1,999 for the 55-inch model and $2,999 for the 65-inch model. Sony's press conference will be on Wednesday, Jan. 4 during CES.

Xiaomi Mi Launch

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is rumored to launch a new Mi model, the Mi 5c. Rumor has it that this entry-level phone has a metal body casing with a 1080p display, 32GB of storage, and 3GB of RAM.

Also, Xiaomi is reported to launch its Mi Note 2 and Mi mix globally at this year's CES. Xiaomi's primary market is Asia, but the company has been making a concerted effort to expand its sales outside of this market to India, Brazil, and the U.S.