As several big brands, back away from launching curved TV’s, Samsung who were one of the first to move to curved TV’s is looking to expand their range.
Both LG and Sony have dumped curved citing a lack of interest among consumers.
Globally Samsung plan to release more than 20 curved TVs centred on large premium TVs that are 65 inches or bigger.
This is more than the 10 curved TV models the Korean Company introduced last year.
Among the new curved models on offer will be curved ‘QLED TV’, as well as a new ‘MU’ Premium series that will range in sizes from 65 inches to 88 inches.
When LG Australia was recently asked why LG was dumping curved TV models they claimed that they believed that curved TVs have a narrow angle of view and are more expensive than the same sized flat TVs.
The Company could not explain why they launched curved TV’s in the first place if they believed that curved was inferior to flat.
Currently LG Electronics is in a head-on fight with Samsung with their OLED TVs pitched head on with the samsung QLED TV models.
Samsung claims that the reason for the Company continuing to support and market curved TV’s is because their sales volumes continue to grow.
According to Samsung Australia 2016, sales volume of curved TVs increased by more than 50% compared to 2015 and because their curved models were predominantly offered on premium top end TV’s the Company has been able to deliver premium profits from these models.
Market research company called IHS announced that 8.32 million curved TVs were sold worldwide in 2016 and estimated that this number will surpass 10 million and reach 11.04 million in 2017.
It also estimated that sales volume of curved TVs will be about 10.31 million in 2018.
In the short term, sales volume of curved TVs is in positive territory, however IHS is estimating that this number will gradually decrease in long term as sales volume of curved TVs will drop to 9.59 million and 7.67 million in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
“Although global TV markets are being stagnant, markets for large premium TVs that are 60 inches or bigger are continuing to grow every year between 20 and 30%.” said a representative for Samsung Electronics. “Percentages of curved TVs that have high sense of immersion in large TV markets are showing continuous upward trend and they are also very popular in several markets around the world”.
