Samsung Electronics says it will use CES 2026 to preview an updated lineup of kitchen appliances that lean more heavily on vision-based AI, this time developed in closer coordination with Google’s Gemini models and Google Cloud. The announcement covers refreshed versions of Samsung’s Bespoke AI refrigerator, over-the-range microwaves, slide-in ranges, and a new wine cellar, with the emphasis placed less on headline features and more on incremental improvements to recognition accuracy, usability, and design consistency.
The most visible change arrives with the next-generation Bespoke AI Refrigerator Family Hub. Samsung is expanding its AI Vision system, which relies on internal cameras to track stored items, by integrating Google Gemini directly into the appliance. This marks the first time Samsung has publicly tied Gemini to a refrigerator rather than to phones or general-purpose assistants. Earlier versions of AI Vision could recognize a limited set of fresh foods and pre-registered packaged items. The updated system is designed to identify a wider range of foods automatically, including processed items that no longer need to be manually labeled. Samsung also plans to allow users to tag foods stored in personal containers, filling a long-standing gap in its food-tracking approach.
More accurate identification feeds into clearer inventory management, which Samsung positions as the foundation for meal planning, grocery reminders, and recipe suggestions. Rather than presenting this as a radical shift, the company frames it as a step toward reducing friction in everyday kitchen tasks that already exist within the SmartThings ecosystem.
A similar approach carries over to the new Bespoke AI Wine Cellar. Using a camera mounted at the top of the unit, the system scans wine labels as bottles are added or removed and updates the SmartThings AI Wine Manager accordingly. Beyond inventory tracking, the system records shelf placement and compartment location, allowing users to find specific bottles without opening the door repeatedly. Samsung says Gemini-powered recognition will also support wine information lookup and pairing suggestions, though these features remain dependent on the accuracy of label detection.
Design updates are another focus. Samsung is rolling out a more uniform stainless-look finish across French Door refrigerators, slide-in ranges, and OTR microwaves to support cohesive kitchen layouts. The new three-door French Door refrigerator introduces a zero-clearance fit with narrower side gaps and a shallower door depth, improving drawer access in tighter spaces. A transparent AutoView door returns as a way to check contents without opening the fridge.
On the cooking side, the updated slide-in range adopts a simplified bar handle and a redesigned precision knob aimed at improving safety. For microwaves, Samsung is introducing Air-Fry and DualVent OTR models, with the latter addressing a common ventilation issue by adding a front airflow path to better capture smoke from front burners.
Taken together, the CES 2026 lineup suggests Samsung is prioritizing refinement over reinvention. By pairing AI Vision with Gemini and cloud-based services, the company is betting that better recognition and quieter usability gains will matter more to consumers than flashy demos.
