Why your subsequent good TV may price extra in 2026

For the previous couple of months, one of many greatest tales in tech has been the skyrocketing worth of RAM (Random Entry Reminiscence), the tiny reminiscence chips which might be a necessary a part of any laptop. At CES 2026, tons of firms are exhibiting off new laptops, good TVs, and devices that look spectacular, however the huge query is whether or not they’ll price much more just because RAM chips are in such brief provide, brought on by AI firms shopping for up massive swaths of RAM to extend server capability.

A lot of the dialog round rising RAM costs has targeted on desktop PCs and laptops, however good TVs could possibly be affected, too. They depend on RAM to run their working programs and apps easily, and Samsung — one of many world’s largest reminiscence chip producers — is warning that larger costs could possibly be on the horizon, not only for good TVs, however most client electronics.

“There’s going to be points round semiconductor provides, and it should have an effect on everybody,” mentioned Gained-Jin Lee, Samsung’s president and head of worldwide advertising and marketing, in an interview with Bloomberg. “Costs are going up at the same time as we converse. Clearly, we do not wish to convey that burden to the customers, however we will be at a degree the place we now have to really think about repricing our merchandise.”

Samsung is without doubt one of the greatest TV manufacturers on the planet, and whereas it’s also one of many greatest reminiscence producers, that does not imply it is proof against the worth hikes most main tech firms are dealing with.

“As this example is unprecedented, no firm is proof against its influence,” mentioned TM Roh, Samsung’s co-CEO, talking to Reuters, who additionally added that the reminiscence chip scarcity won’t solely have an effect on telephones, but additionally tons of electronics, together with TVs and residential home equipment.

How a lot may the worth of good TVs go up by?

Shopping for final 12 months’s mannequin could possibly be one of the best ways to keep away from worth hikes

There is not a single definitive quantity or share level for a way a lot good TV costs may rise, and thus far, there have not been any main worth hikes. That mentioned, the state of affairs may change rapidly as reminiscence costs proceed to climb.

For context, by the top of December, reminiscence costs had greater than doubled in comparison with their October ranges. In response to Counterpoint Research, reminiscence costs are anticipated to rise by 40 to 50 % in Q1 2026, adopted by one other 20 % improve in Q2 2026.

“The rising price of reminiscence is essentially altering the Invoice of Supplies (BoM) for {hardware} producers,” Counterpoint Analysis defined.

Sensible TV pricing depends upon many components, not simply RAM, with the show being a significant price driver. Nonetheless, the skyrocketing worth of reminiscence — despite the fact that it makes up solely a small portion of a TV — may push the price of new good TVs larger this 12 months. And with loads of new fashions debuting at CES 2026, these larger costs could also be felt sooner moderately than later, because the TVs introduced this week begin launching within the spring and pricing is revealed.

Should you’re trying to keep away from any potential worth hikes tied to this RAM crunch, choosing up considered one of final 12 months’s good TV fashions now could also be value contemplating. A lot of final 12 months’s finest TVs, together with the LG C5, Sony BRAVIA 8 II, and Samsung S90F, are still on sale at retailers — even with the vacations behind us. So when you’ve been ready to improve, now could be the time to do it, earlier than producers are pressured to lift costs because of the exponential price of RAM.