Paweł Koper
In 2026, gigantic televisions with a diagonal of 130 inches will hit the market. Although the prices of 100 and 115-inch screens have recently dropped significantly, the new 130-inch models will still cost a fortune. Probably over $30,000. Where does such a large price difference come from for just a few extra inches?
Production costs are half as much again
The main reason is the ruthless production costs in Chinese factories that supply panels for global giants. A report from Counterpoint Research indicates that producing a 130-inch module is half as expensive again compared to a 116-inch screen. So where does such a difference come from when we are talking about "only" 14 inches? This is primarily due to the difficulties in processing such large sheets of glass. When producing such enormous panels, the risk of error is very high, and any slight defect means that the entire panel has to be thrown away. These massive material losses directly translate into the final price that we see in retail catalogues.
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 implemented Micro RGB technology in its 130-inch model R95H. It uses thousands of microscopic diodes that generate colours themselves, which ensures incredible brightness, colour coverage while maintaining excellent contrast. However, the process of arranging such small components over a massive surface is extremely slow and complicated. This means that a 130-inch screen is not only a larger area 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 watch our materials from CES 2026!
New factories are needed
The financial situation of the factories themselves does not make things easier. The production lines that manufacture 100-inch screens have been operating for years and have already paid for themselves, allowing manufacturers to regularly lower prices. In the case of 130-inch screens and the latest OLED panels, the situation is the opposite. New technologies and production lines generate high depreciation costs that must be covered by the initial buyers. Even the best methods of creating screens will not yield quick savings, as building the appropriate factories costs billions of dollars.
The market is currently at a specific moment. If someone is looking for a huge television, the best value choices are the 100 or possibly 115-inch models, which have recently seen their prices drop by more than half. The 130-inch size remains reserved for the wealthiest enthusiasts who are willing to pay a high "novelty tax" for owning a television the size of a projector. Analysts predict that we will have to wait until at least 2027 for significant price reductions in this segment.
Source: Counterpoint Research
