CES 2012 preview: What's ahead in smart phones?

The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show starts January 9, and again this year, we expect smart phones to be a major category. In this video, our resident smart-phone expert Mike Gikas speculates as to what kinds of new features and technology will be on display at CES 2012.

Displays will get even larger, for one thing: We may even see phones with 5-inch screens, but they'll also be thinner and lighter to keep them pocket-friendly. The first super-fast quad-core smart phones may debut as well. And expect to hear more about mobile-payment solutions, such as Google Wallet: More phones will contain the needed NFC technology and more services should be available in the coming year.

Take a look at our video for all the details, and check back here for more previews and from-the-show-floor coverage of the 2012 CES.

—Carol Mangis