On 20 April 2026, Icom announced a new project via its official channels: the X-026. A concept mock-up set to be shown as a world premiere at the Dayton Hamvention from 15 to 17 May 2026. That is all we know right now — which is precisely why a sober look at the actual facts is worthwhile.
What Icom Has Officially Said
Very little. Icom Japan’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) reads: “We will be exhibiting the new product concept mock-up X-026 for the first time in the world.” Icom America followed on LinkedIn: “Introducing the X-026 Concept. Come to 2026 Hamvention!” Plus a single emoji: 🚘.
That is the entire official information available. No datasheet, no specifications, no price, no release date. A concept mock-up is not a finished product — it is a glimpse at a direction Icom might take.
What the Car Emoji Suggests
The 🚘 in the announcement is the only concrete hint at the product category. The obvious interpretation: a mobile transceiver for vehicle installation. The community speculates it could be a successor or reimagining of the IC-7100 — Icom’s last all-mode mobile transceiver combining HF, VHF and UHF in a compact chassis with a detachable control head.
Whether that is accurate remains open. A dedicated VHF/UHF mobile, a new D-STAR device, or something entirely different are all possible. Until Icom publishes specifications, any assessment is speculation.
Beware of Fake Images
A note that has unfortunately become necessary in recent product cycles: numerous images allegedly showing the X-026 are already circulating on social media. Most are AI-generated renders with no connection to Icom. The same happened with Icom’s “Project X60” (later revealed as the IC-7760) — leading to disappointment when the actual product looked different from the fantasy images. Official product photos will not be available before Hamvention at the earliest.
Context
In recent years, Icom has consistently expanded its portfolio with the IC-705 (portable QRP), the IC-7300 MK2 (entry-level HF), and the IC-7760 (base HF with dual independent receivers). A gap exists in mobile transceivers: the IC-7100 has been on the market for over ten years without a successor. If the X-026 does head in that direction, it would be a long-awaited development.
But: a concept mock-up is not a product launch. Months to years can pass between presenting a concept and bringing a product to market. Hamvention will show how far along Icom actually is with the X-026.
Date
The Dayton Hamvention 2026 takes place from 15 to 17 May 2026 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. We will follow up with a detailed article once reliable information is available after the unveiling.
