You want to get a Smart TV.
It’s easy – they’re available for ordering online. Or in physical stores.
But the big question before taking that step is:
“How much do they cost?”
Lucky you, because I have the answer.
Continue reading to find out:
- How much Smart TVs usually cost.
- 7 reasons Smart TVs are so expensive.
- What the 3 cheapest and most expensive TVs are.
- And this is just the beginning…
How much do Smart TVs cost?
Smart TVs can cost as cheap as $150 and be as expensive as $2.26 million. However, TV models on the market usually range from $300 to $2000. Many factors affect the price of Smart TVs. And the most common 1 is their picture quality.
The cheapest and most expensive Smart TVs
The cheapest TVs generally cost around $150. And the most expensive ones can reach millions. And now, you’ll know what makes these devices so affordable or costly.
On that note, let’s start with…
The cheapest Smart TVs
Many brands manufacture cheap Smart TVs. And the most popular ones are:
- TCL.
- Vizio.
- Hisense.
And if you’re wondering…
“How can they create TVs that are so cheap?”
To answer that question, let’s talk about specific inexpensive TVs, starting with…
TCL 32S335 TV
See, this 32-inch 720p Roku Smart TV originally cost $230. But it can drop to $150 during the sale season.
However, don’t let the low price of this device trick you.
Because it can still cater to the most popular streaming apps, including:
- Hulu.
- Netflix.
- Spotify.
- Youtube.
- Amazon Instant Video.
Moreover, it also runs on the operating system Roku. Which is known for not only being efficient but also being effortless to use.
On top of that, this TV model also has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as its AIs.
So you can use voice commands to use stream on this device.
It sounds pretty reliable, right?
But upon closer look, there are obvious reasons why this device is so cheap.
For starters, this Smart TV is smaller than the average TV size people usually buy.
In general, Americans usually have TVs that are 51-inches long diagonally.
And since this TV is only 32” long, it’s much cheaper to build than wider TVs.
On top of that, this model only has a 720p resolution. That means it has fewer pixels, so TCL didn’t spend too much while crafting the screen of this TV.
And now that we’ve talked about TCL’s cheap TV…
It’s time to mention another device from a different brand:
Vizio D32h-J09
This 32-inch D-Series 1080p Smart TV from Vizio is also on the cheap end of the scale.
That’s because it only costs $190. But like any Smart TV, you can also use this to access:
- Apple AirPlay.
- The screen Mirroring feature.
- Hundreds of free streaming channels.
Now, it’s easy to find similarities between this Vizio TV and the TCL TV I listed earlier.
See, both of them:
- Are 32” wide.
- Have LCD screens.
- Only have 720p resolution.
Well, I’ve already mentioned that a smaller TV is cheaper to make.
And that 720p is a low resolution compared to most modern Smart TVs.
But I haven’t mentioned why LCD screens are cheaper. So I’ll talk about that now.
See, expensive TVs are generally part of the LED lineup, and that includes:
- LED.
- OLED.
- QLED.
However, cheap TVs usually still use LCD TV technology.
“What’s the difference?”
Well, LCD TVs are cheaper to make. But their lifespans are usually shorter than those made of LED technology.
Moreover, they use more power when operating compared to other TVs.
That’s because they aren’t designed to be energy-efficient like LED TV models.
On top of that, LCD TVs generally have narrower viewing angles. Meaning their display will look distorted when you stare at it from the side. And LED TVs aren’t usually like this.
Hisense 32A4H
This 32-Inch HD Smart Android TV from Hisense is similar to the previous models. So it won’t be surprising that this device only costs $138.
But if I’m to mention some features that make me fall for this TV, here they are:
- It has various picture modes.
- It’s compatible with Chromecast.
- It has a thin bezel design making it pleasing to the eyes.
The most expensive Smart TVs
The Titan Zeus ($1.6 million)
The Titan Zeus is the biggest TV in the world, with its diagonal length of 370-inches.
See, this Smart TV is so big that you’d need to be 50 feet away to see its full display.
However, its massive size isn’t the only reason this TV costs 1.6 million dollars.
That’s because it also has interesting Smart TV features, including:
- Motion tracking.
- Touch-sensitive technology.
- Dynamic CGI aquarium display.
Moreover, this 4K TV is handcrafted by people. So you can only imagine the work needed to complete this huge device.
Fun fact: There are only 4 of these gigantic Smart TVs worldwide. And the first time this was displayed in public was in Cannes in 2014.
C Seed 201 ($680 000)
1 ½ ton. That’s how much the C Seed 201 TV weighs.
But I guess that’s to be expected. Because it has a 201-inch display that’s specifically designed for outdoor cinema.
What’s most surprising about this Smart TV, though, isn’t its size.
Rather, it’s the fact that it can unfold and fold accordingly.
To be specific, this huge TV’s giant screen hides under the ground when not in use.
And it expands to a 201-inch screen within less than a minute if you want to use it.
Surprisingly, no crease is visible on its wide LED screen despite being foldable.
So I guess it’s safe to say that this TV’s price is reasonable considering its advanced design.
Do you want to see how the C Seed 201 TV unravels itself? Watch this video:
Panasonic TH-152UX1 ($500 000)
Another giant TV is here.
And that’s the 152-inch TV made by Panasonic.
This TV can beat any cinema when it comes to the immersive experience.
That’s because its 4K 3D Plasma display can provide you with vibrant colors with smooth textures. And they pretty much exceed the quality of the screens in movie theatres.
You might also want to know: Are All Smart TVs Smart? 7 Things You Need To Know
Why are Smart TVs so expensive?
There are many reasons why Smart TVs are so expensive.
But I’ll only focus on 7. With that, read along to know the…
7 main reasons why Smart TVs are so expensive
#1: Research & Development Process
There are dozens of Smart TV brands out there.
And to stand out from the rest…
Each of them spends millions and billions of dollars on their R&D process.
To explain this more clearly, I’ll use the company Samsung as an example.
See, this leading Smart TV manufacturer spends a whopping $13.7 billion on its R&D department.
And this investment makes it possible for Samsung to stay at the top of the TV industry.
“Is Samsung better at making Smart TVs?”
For the most part, it is.
And I say that because Samsung is 1 of the first few companies to manufacture LED TVs. Which are now the TV type everyone’s trying to have.
That being said, because the competition is harsh…
Companies always need to invest more in their research process.
So it’s inevitable for Smart TVs to be more expensive than other electronics.
#2: Increasing material prices
1 of the biggest factors affecting Smart TVs’ prices is the cost of their components.
And since inflation is constantly causing raw materials to be more expensive…
Smart TVs also inevitably become pricier throughout the years.
For example, the price of raw silicon, which is the main ingredient for TV microchips, doubled in 2021.
On top of that, there’s currently a shortage of LCD panels. Which usually accounts for more than ⅔ of the TV manufacturing costs.
So, TV companies have no choice but to increase their prices. As it’s the only way to compensate for their higher overhead expenses.
#3: Shipping costs
Since the Covid pandemic, the global shipping industry has been in a crisis.
As a result, freight shipping costs have almost tripled over the years.
And since this is the primary mode of transportation TV companies use…
Unsurprisingly, Smart TVs also end up costing more in retail stores.
#4: They’re faster than ever
Faster software performance.
That’s the difference I’ve noticed between TVs now and the ones from a couple of years ago.
And that’s all thanks to companies paying more attention to their TVs’ components.
To be specific, Smart TVs now have higher-quality processors which let them:
- Load faster.
- Have low latency.
- Multitask without heating up.
But of course, these pros come with a slight downside.
And that’s you need to spend more on TVs with better internal components.
#5: Smart TVs are durable
Smart TVs often last for 4-7 years.
And that’s almost twice the duration of how smartphones stay with Americans. Because the average adult in the US changes their phone every 2 years.
See, this durability is only possible because…
Companies build Smart TVs with high-quality materials.
And you bet, using better components makes the production cost of Smart TVs higher.
Further reading: How Long Do Smart TVs Last? 9 Must-Read Facts
#6: Marketing expenses
LG. Samsung. Sony.
These companies are well-known for taking their marketing seriously.
That’s because regardless of where you are in the world…
It’s hard to walk throughout the mall without seeing an ad from these 3 brands.
And this is only possible because Smart TV companies spend a lot on marketing expenses.
For example, Samsung spends $100 million on marketing its products alone. So they can entice more people to buy their TVs.
That said, since Smart TV companies invest a lot in marketing their products…
Smart TVs also end up costing more for consumers.
#7: High picture quality
Put an older TV and a modern Smart TV side by side.
And the first thing you’ll notice is how different their picture quality is.
See, most Smart TVs now have 1080p resolution. And some are even in 4K.
However, TVs before were only capable of displaying 720p resolution. That’s why they used to be cheaper.
With that, 1 of the reasons why Smart TVs are so expensive is…
The TV screens used now are way better than they were before. And they cost more to make.
Are Smart TVs worth the extra cost?
Smart TVs are worth the extra cost. Especially if you’re someone who loves watching shows and movies.
See, Smart TVs let you access thousands of apps in just minutes. And you’ll be able to watch almost any shows as long as you have Internet and the right subscription.
Moreover, Smart TVs also have AIs in their system. So you can easily control them just by using voice commands. On top of that, you can even use your Smart TV to control your other Smart home devices.
So if you don’t have it yet, I highly suggest getting a Smart TV for your home.
However, if you don’t want to put your current TV to waste…
You can simply use streaming devices to turn your regular TV smart instead. And this way, you’ll get the helpful features most Smart TVs have. But without spending hundreds of dollars in the process.