The eyes of the consumer tech world will fall on Berlin in early September, with IFA 2016, this year’s edition of the annual consumer electronics trade show, running September 2-7.From smartphones to smartwatches, virtual reality to the IoT and the smart home, the tech of today will be on display, while across numerous product categories, the innovation driving development of the tech of tomorrow will provide a window into what the future holds.
Tech players will be at IFA in their numbers – so, as we draw closer to one of the premium tech events on the global calendar, what can be expected?
Acer
Acer delivered new products across a variety of different categories at last year’s IFA, which included a number of additions to its Predator gaming line. Also on show was its Revo Build series (M1-601) mini PC, adopting a modular approach, allowing customisation without opening up the chassis.
As to whether Acer has another swathe of releases in store for September, time will tell. With Acer making a move into virtual reality, could further developments in this category be on the cards at IFA?
Acer is slotted in for a media event on August 31.
Alcatel
As revealed by ChannelNews, Alcatel is set to unveil new smartphones and virtual reality tech at IFA.
Beyond this, could Alcatel add to its wearables line-up with a new smartwatch?
Last year, Alcatel unveiled a number of products at IFA, and if this is anything to go by, it could again be set for a busy beginning to September.
Asus
Asus was active at last year’s IFA, unveiling a number of products across the mobile, wearable and home computing tech categories, and is likely to this year again use IFA to introduce a number of new tech offerings.
Among Asus’ expected product reveals, the ZenWatch 3 could make an appearance.
Asus will be hosting a press event on August 31, at which it states its latest innovations will be on display. A live stream of the event will be available here.
HTC
It’s been a big year for virtual reality, and HTC has been a big part of the current wave of VR devices with its HTC Vive.
HTC has also recently launched its HTC 10 smartphone, and it appears that it could be adding to its smartphone line-up in the near future, with it reportedly working on two Desire smartphones, the Desire 10 Pro and Desire 10 Lifestyle.
Could it be that an IFA announcement for its new Desire models is on the cards?
What about HTC’s long-rumoured entry into the smartwatch market?
Huawei
Huawei has this year been riding a wave of smartphone success, expanding internationally and growing its market share.
Another smartphone offering is seemingly on its way, in the form of the Mate 9, apparent details of which have been leaked online.
Huawei last year used IFA to unveil its Huawei Watch, could another smartwatch be in the offing this year?
Lenovo
Lenovo is seemingly set for a wave of new releases at IFA across a number of product categories.
A video teaser released by Lenovo is heavy on flexible display tech visuals, and promises new innovations, “from a new chapter in tablets to new Moto Mods”. The teaser additionally refers to “a whole new kind of intuitive keyboard”.
Could a new Moto 360 smartwatch also make an appearance?
Lenovo is set to unveil its new products on August 31.
LG
LG is set to launch its LG V20 smartphone in September around the same time as IFA, however there is no indication as to whether the V20 will be making an appearance at IFA.
Last year, LG unveiled a range of products across various segments at IFA, including expanding its audio line-up with new Bluetooth speakers, also demonstrating HDR broadcast content on its 4K OLED TVs, and showcasing its latest home appliances.
With LG active across a range of consumer technology segments, a variety of products are likely to be on display.
Samsung
Samsung is seemingly getting set to unveil its Gear S3 smartwatch at IFA. Samsung unveiled its Gear S2 smartwatch at last year’s IFA, so it would be in line with recent history.
As for other potential releases, Samsung maintains a strong presence in a variety of categories, and could well use IFA to launch products from audio to appliances.
Samsung has a media event scheduled for September 1.
Sony
Rumour has it that Sony will unveil its Xperia XR flagship smartphone at IFA.
Sony unveiled a number of products at last year’s IFA, including its Xperia Z5 flagship smartphone, with a range of tech likely to be on display come September this year.
Sony will be holding a media event on September 1.