The persistent memory crisis, coupled with panel shortages, may lead to an increase in TV prices.

      The crisis regarding memory shortages has already begun to affect smartphones, and it will likely have a ripple effect on other consumer electronics, including televisions and potentially other home appliances.

      During CES 2026, TM Roh, co-CEO of Samsung, informed Reuters that “no company is exempt” from the global memory chip shortage. As Samsung's smart TVs, particularly the premium models, utilize a significant amount of memory, the increase in component costs may soon be reflected in their prices.

      Samsung

      The reduction in LCD panel production is creating additional cost pressures.

      Additionally, LCD panel manufacturers are experiencing reduced output in relation to demand. A recent report from The Elec indicated that leading Chinese panel makers, such as HKC, BOE, and CSOT, “plan to halt operations” at their factories next month to “lower labor costs” and “alleviate inventory burdens.”

      This may result in a decline in the number of panels produced. The drop in supply for LCD screens (3.8%) is more than double the reduction in overall demand (1.8%), possibly leading to a constrained market for panels in the first quarter of 2026.

      The proactive accumulation of components like memory and display panels by smartphone and television manufacturers could further contribute to an unavoidable price increase. Although this initial bulk purchasing may help stabilize prices and production short-term, once the inventory runs out, manufacturers may find themselves in a tighter market.

      This situation could lead to increased production a few months into 2026, if not as early as January, and ultimately result in higher prices for finished TVs. A recent report from TrendForce anticipates that “TV panel prices are likely to trend upward in January,” with the costs for 32-inch, 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch panels “expected to rise by US$1.”

      TCL / Digital Trends

      While this may seem minor, the report notes that TV panel prices are “set to enter an upcycle” starting in the first quarter of 2026, and that production cuts in February could “further elevate LCD monitor prices.” Given that LCD panels represent approximately 95% of global TV shipments, even a small increase in panel costs could impact the entire industry across various price segments and regions.

      It appears that the long-standing period of continuously decreasing television prices might be approaching a temporary halt. Factors such as rising memory prices, planned reductions in production, and manufacturers accumulating greater pre-built inventory are causing cost pressures that are not yet apparent in the supply chain, but are undoubtedly accumulating.

      While television prices may not rise instantly, if component shortages continue past the first quarter, companies may pass on the increased manufacturing costs to consumers through a slight price increase. We will gain further insight into this as the new wave of televisions from manufacturers like Samsung and LG, which were unveiled at CES 2026, enters the market in a few months.