Paweł Koper
In 2026, gigantic 130-inch televisions will hit the market. Although 100 and 115-inch screens have significantly dropped in price recently, the new 130-inch models will still cost a fortune. Probably over 30,000 dollars. Where does such a large price difference come from for just a few extra inches?
Production costs are half as high again
The main reason is the ruthless production costs in Chinese factories that supply panels to global giants. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, producing a 130-inch module is 50% more expensive than for a 116-inch screen. So where does this difference come from when it's only a matter of 14 inches? It primarily stems from the difficulties in processing such large sheets of glass. In the production of such enormous panels, the risk of errors is very high, and any minor defect means the entire panel has to be tossed. These massive material losses directly affect the final price we see in store catalogs.
Very expensive Micro RGB backlighting
Another factor driving up the price is the technology used. In the largest models, manufacturers no longer install ordinary backlighting. For example, Samsung has employed Micro RGB technology in its 130-inch model R95H. It uses thousands of microscopic diodes that generate colours themselves, ensuring incredible brightness and colour coverage while maintaining excellent contrast. However, the process of arranging such small elements over such a vast surface is extremely slow and complicated. This means that a 130-inch screen is not just a larger surface but, above all, a significantly more advanced and costly construction than what we know from smaller televisions.
Are you interested in the R95H? Be sure to check out our materials from CES 2026!
New factories are needed
The financial situation of the factories themselves doesn’t help either. Production lines that manufacture 100-inch screens have been operating for years and have already paid off, which allows manufacturers to regularly reduce prices. In the case of 130-inch screens and the latest OLED panels, the situation is the opposite. New technologies and production lines incur high amortisation costs that must be covered by the first buyers. Even the best methods of creating screens won’t yield quick savings because building the appropriate factories consumes billions of dollars.
Currently, the market is in a specific moment. If someone is looking for a huge television, the best choice in terms of value for money are the 100 or possibly 115-inch models, which have recently seen price drops of over half. The 130-inch size remains reserved for the wealthiest enthusiasts who are willing to pay a high "newness tax" for owning a television the size of a projector. Analysts predict that we will have to wait at least until 2027 for significant price reductions in this segment.
Source: Counterpoint Research
