Why are TVs getting cheaper and cheaper?

Buying a new TV used to be a big deal for families, requiring them to visit multiple electronics stores, negotiate prices, and worry about the cost.

In 2005, a 40-inch Sony LCD TV cost over 100 million VND. Today, we can buy a 55-inch 4K flat-screen Smart TV from a major brand for under 12 million VND. That's truly surprising, especially when the prices of many other items like eggs, rent, and children's toys are rising.

Choosing large-screen TVs is much easier these days.

PHOTO: XIAOMI

What transformed television from a luxury item into such a common and affordable commodity? To understand this, we need to consider the evolution of TV technology and the significant technological, economic , and strategic shifts that have made modern TVs more accessible.

Technological progress

Before televisions became slim and lightweight devices, they were bulky cubes using cathode ray tube (CRT) technology. This technology was not only heavy but also complex, limiting screen size and increasing production costs. However, in the early 2000s, LCD and plasma screens replaced CRTs, allowing for the production of thinner and lighter TVs. Although the first flat-screen TVs were expensive, manufacturers quickly found ways to reduce costs, making them mass-market products.

More efficient production

Advances in manufacturing processes have also played a significant role. The use of large glass panels, also known as mother glass, allows for the production of multiple displays from a single panel, thereby reducing the cost per unit.

TV production processes today are also much more efficient.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Automation and lean supply chains have helped boost manufacturing efficiency, particularly at factories in China and South Korea. Design changes such as thinner bezels and lighter frames have also contributed to cost reductions.

Market competition

As production costs decreased, the price war among manufacturers intensified. New companies like TCL and Hisense challenged industry giants by offering more affordable products. Retailers also had to adjust prices to attract customers, sometimes even selling at a loss to boost sales.

Data economy

The advent of Smart TVs has opened up a new revenue stream from user data. Manufacturers are not only making money from selling TVs but also from tracking user behavior and selling that information to advertisers. This has changed the profit model and made TVs more affordable.

Chinese TV company embroiled in scandal for tracking user data.

TV upgrade trends

As TV prices dropped, consumers continued to upgrade to newer models with better technology. TVs had become a part of lifestyle, and brands cleverly fueled the upgrade demand through smart promotions and marketing. The allure of owning a new TV made consumers willing to spend money on more modern products.

In short, the decrease in TV prices is not only a result of technological advancements and efficient production, but also a shift in how consumers think about and consume this product. TVs have become an indispensable part of every household, with prices becoming increasingly affordable.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-gia-tv-ngay-cang-re-185250429112641567.htm