LG gram at CES 2026: AI-Driven Mobility Without the Weight

By DaMarko Webster

As the ultra-portable laptop category continues to mature, LG Electronics is using CES 2026 to signal a clear next phase in the evolution of the LG gram. Marking more than a decade of leadership in lightweight computing, the 2026 LG gram lineup introduces a newly developed chassis material alongside deeper AI integration, positioning the brand not just as thin and light, but as genuinely intelligent mobility hardware.

At the center of the refresh is Aerominum, an LG-engineered material designed to address one of the longest-standing tradeoffs in laptop design: weight versus durability. By reducing overall mass while reinforcing structural strength, Aerominum allows the gram to remain exceptionally portable without feeling fragile. The new chassis improves scratch resistance, meets military-grade durability standards, and is designed for long-term everyday use. Its aeroplate internal structure paired with refined atelier brushing gives the laptops a premium metallic finish that looks substantial without adding bulk—a subtle but important shift for a lineup often defined by lightness alone.

Productivity is equally central to the 2026 strategy, with select models introducing advanced dual AI capabilities that blend on-device processing with cloud-based intelligence. These systems support Microsoft Copilot+ PC features alongside LG’s own gram chat On-Device AI, powered by the upgraded EXAONE 3.5 small language model. The result is fast, private AI assistance that remains available even when offline, while still scaling up through the cloud when connectivity allows. Backed by the latest processors and performance optimizations, the new gram models are built to handle demanding multitasking, AI-assisted workflows, and creative applications without sacrificing portability.

Mobility extends beyond the laptop itself through expanded connectivity and security tools. Enhanced gram Link enables seamless file sharing, screen mirroring, and content transfer across Android and iOS devices, as well as webOS-based LG products including TVs, monitors, and projectors. By acting as a universal hub across three major ecosystems, gram Link reduces the friction typically caused by operating system boundaries and positions the LG gram as a control center for a broader digital environment. On the security side, LG ThinQ adds peace of mind with remote lock and erase functionality, allowing users to protect data if a device is lost or stolen.

The flagship LG gram Pro 17 exemplifies how far ultra-portable design has stretched. Marketed as the world’s lightest 17-inch RTX laptop, it delivers the performance typically associated with larger systems in a body closer to a conventional 16-inch form factor. Its 17-inch WQXGA display offers expansive screen real estate for productivity and media, while the inclusion of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 memory brings serious horsepower for graphics-intensive tasks, content creation, and casual gaming—areas traditionally outside the gram’s core identity.

The LG gram Pro 16 focuses on balance, emerging as the lightest 16-inch laptop in its class to combine both on-device and cloud-based AI. A 16-inch WQXGA+ OLED display delivers sharper contrast and richer visuals, making it well-suited for creative professionals as well as productivity-focused users. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, the system is tuned for responsiveness and efficiency, aligning with the gram’s long-standing promise of performance without excess weight.

LG frames the 2026 lineup as a turning point rather than a simple refresh. According to Lee Choong-hwoan, head of the Display Business at the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company, Aerominum represents a breakthrough in solving the weight-durability paradox, while dual AI and expanded security features redefine how portability, intelligence, and resilience coexist. Taken together, the new LG gram models suggest that the future of ultra-light laptops isn’t just about shaving grams—it’s about building systems that adapt, protect, and connect wherever work and creativity happen.