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The TV market is beginning to feel the effects of rising demand for memory and semiconductors. According to Omdia data cited by TechRadar, in some lower-end models the electronics already account for a larger share of the cost than the LCD panel itself. The problem currently affects mainly smaller and budget TVs.
Memory and processors are becoming much more expensive
As recently as Q2 2025, the main board with the processor accounted for just over 10% of a TV's component cost. By Q3 2026 its share was set to rise to as much as 45–50%. One reason is the sharp rise in memory prices. According to Omdia, basic DRAM cost about $25, or 4.4 times more than a year earlier. NAND flash rose to $30.50, nearly nine times year‑on‑year. A large part of demand now comes from data centres and AI infrastructure. Memory and semiconductor manufacturers are directing an increasing share of production capacity to the more profitable server segment, which limits component availability for consumer electronics.
Cheap TVs are the most at risk
So far the greatest pressure concerns 32-inch LCD TVs and cheaper Full HD models of around 40 inches. In higher-end OLEDs or large TVs the panel still makes up a much larger share of the device's total cost. The problem is especially acute for manufacturers because budget TVs are already being sold with slim margins. If component prices keep rising, companies may face a choice: either raise the price of finished sets or reduce their specifications, for example by using less memory or cheaper chipsets. TechRadar notes that a similar trend has already been seen in the smartphone market. Forecasts suggest pressure on the semiconductor market could continue into 2027. That doesn't mean every TV will suddenly get more expensive, but in the cheapest segment manufacturers will have increasingly little room left to cut margins further.
Sources: Omdia via Digitimes, TechRadar
