Samsung Display has taken a delightful trip down memory lane at the CES 2026 tech expo. The company has unveiled two eye-catching concept devices that fuse nostalgic audio designs from the past with cutting-edge display technology of the future. These are the AI OLED Cassette and the AI OLED Turntable, demonstrating that OLED screens can be integrated into virtually any form factor.
A Nostalgic Fusion: Vintage Design Meets Modern AI
The star attractions are concepts designed to spark conversation. The AI OLED Cassette mimics the look of a classic audio cassette but features a compact 1.5-inch round OLED display. Images suggest it has an interactive, smartwatch-like screen interface alongside a status display, turning a beloved relic into a potential smart device.
Taking the retro theme further is the AI OLED Turntable. This concept boasts a significantly larger 13.4-inch circular OLED screen that appears to be touch-controlled. While Samsung has not detailed the exact applications for such a large round screen on a turntable-inspired gadget, it opens up imaginative possibilities for music interaction and visualisation.
More Than Just Novelty: The AI Edge Vision Station
These retro gadgets are part of Samsung's broader "AI Edge Vision Station" showcase at CES. The core idea is to move beyond traditional Bluetooth speakers. These concept devices act as self-contained AI assistants with displays, allowing users to view music recommendations, select songs, and set visual moods directly on the device itself, without needing an external smartphone or tablet.
Samsung is using these concepts as a bold statement on the versatility of OLED technology. The company highlights that OLED's ability to be curved, spherical, or circular enables creative designs that rigid LCD screens cannot achieve. It's a showcase of pure potential, though it remains unclear if either the cassette or turntable will ever become commercial products.
A Broader Display Ecosystem on Show
While the retro concepts capture the imagination, Samsung is also announcing more immediately practical innovations at CES 2026. These include:
- Ultra-thin laptop displays
- Bright QD-OLED TVs capable of 4,500 nits of peak brightness
- Advanced automotive screens
The cassette and turntable, however, serve a different purpose. They are a testament to Samsung's willingness to experiment and challenge conventional thinking about where and how displays can be used. They prove that technology can be both forward-looking and fondly reminiscent of the past, all while pushing the boundaries of design flexibility.
