With 2026 already shaping up to be one of the most expensive years in tech, recent reports suggest users shouldn’t be surprised if LCD TVs don’t get more expensive this year. This is likely because Chinese panel makers dominate the industry and are planning to raise prices. TV makers like LG Electronics, Sony and Samsung Electronics are already receiving reports that some LCD makers are preparing for price increases.
Display manufacturers such as TCL CSOT and HKC are already planning new price levels starting in September (according to South Korea’s The Elec), while a company like BOE will start setting new prices in the fourth quarter of 2026. Worse, it is posited that these companies are not increasing display prices due to a shortage of components, but because they are limiting production to avoid oversupply. This is possible because China holds a dominant hand in LCD panel manufacturing.
As the holidays approach, TV makers find themselves in an interesting position: They have less bargaining leverage as they try to buy panels for one of the biggest buying seasons (assuming they need them). Those trying to save a lot of money on their next PC probably won’t be surprised by the news of rising component prices, although it may be inconvenient for consumers already feeling the pressure of rising costs.
Will TV prices drop in 2026?
Recent reports that panel makers in China are seeking to raise LCD panel prices suggest people should prepare for higher prices. It also doesn’t help that many smart TVs rely on similar components to tablets, computers and other electronic devices, which are also under pressure from rising component costs and tariffs. When it comes to billboards specifically, China appears to have a dominant hand in this sector, which could create further problems for consumers.
According to market research company Omdia, Chinese manufacturers like BOE, HKC and TCL CSOT have created a kind of oligarchy in this sector. For example, Chinese manufacturers can account for between 70% and 80% of panels measuring between 65 and 85 inches. Surprisingly, China has an even greater hold on “very large” panels (100 inches or more). However, at present, many Chinese suppliers are reducing their production numbers to help defend current prices.
China may have gained its dominance in the LCD panel industry thanks to suppliers in Japan and South Korea halting LCD panel production due to past oversupply issues. For example, South Korean companies LG Display and Samsung Display have stopped manufacturing LCD panels, allowing more companies to rely on parts from China, which dominates the market. Display manufacturers may decide to cover these rising costs themselves, but it also wouldn’t be surprising to see the costs passed on to the consumer. On the bright side, at least smartphones have moved away from LCD screens.
What this means for the future
Right now, people seem unsure whether rising TV panel costs will affect consumers during the 2026 holiday season. Unfortunately, that will depend on whether manufacturers have already placed display orders to cover the holiday season. If so, consumers may not see costs increase until early 2027. However, businesses that need to purchase panels now may already be facing new costs.
Although some reports claim that TV prices have not increased for consumers in 2026, other reports cite the rising cost of RAM as well as tariffs as potential issues that consumers should pay attention to. BGR has also been warning since early January 2026 that consumers should expect smart TV prices to rise due to the chip shortage. In this case, component costs have increased due to the technological shift towards artificial intelligence.
With TV companies potentially able to absorb these costs because advertising is a significant source of revenue, time will tell whether rising panel costs will hit consumers’ wallets. There’s also the problem that LCD panels are often ubiquitous, found on other TVs like RGB LED TVs and Mini-LED displays. This will likely be a complicated problem, but unfortunately very frustrating for consumers.
