Ultra HD TV pricing in China is likely to drop to that of Full HD units for the October 1 holiday period in China, according to market observers.
While Ultra HD TV panel pricing has not dropped significantly in recent months, TV vendors have recently seen high reserves of Ultra HD units due to lack of demand in the market. As a result, the vendors are expected to drop prices to around the same as mid-range or high-end Full HD units to help clear out reserves, the observers said.
Aside from the high reserves, however, some vendors are expected to drop pricing as a means to further promote the technology, the observers noted.
A 55-inch TCL Ultra HD TV in China that uses panel technology from China Star Optoelectronics (CSOT) is currently priced CNY$9,000 (US$1,470) while a 50-inch unit is priced CNY$7,000. Such units could be among the Ultra HD TVs expected to drop in price during the October period.
The observers noted such moves by China-based TV vendors are unlike those of other vendors such as Sony, which is focusing more on high-end Ultra HD units, a strategy the observers feel has helped Sony move ahead in the TV segment.
Meanwhile, as China-based panel makers such as CSOT continue to develop their line of Ultra HD TV panel technology and reduce pricing, Taiwan makers such as Innolux are preparing to push their next line of Ultra HD TV panels into the market, including wide color gamut units with over NTSC 100%
