Competition with Korean Companies Intensifying
Chinese consumer electronics companies such as TCL are seeking to expand their presence in the global TV market by launching big screen TVs.
TCL has recently launched the new smart 4K TV 100X6C with a 100-inch screen, industry sources said on Nov. 6. TCL's new model is priced at US$11,385. It is the cheapest model among 90-inch or larger TV products currently available in the market. With the launch of the 100X6C model, TCL emerged as a major TV manufacturer that can make big TV models.
China's HiSense has also recently released an 85-inch ULED smart TV (Series 7) to the market. The 4K model is now retailing for US$4,299. HiSense uses ULED technology, which stacks two LCD panels to improve image quality.
TCL, HiSense, and other major Chinese TV makers are racing to globally launch 75-inch and larger TVs. In particular, TCL, which stands out in the North American market, is focusing on the high-quality smart TV market this year and is expected to compete fiercely with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics of Korea.
8K TV models are also expected to be released one after another. TCL unveiled 65-, 75-, and 85-inch 8K QLED TV models at IFA 2019. It is expected to launch 8K TVs early next year. HiSense and Haier plan to launch their 8K TV models in Europe early next year.
IHS Markit, a global market researcher, ranked TV companies in terms of North American TV brand shares. In the first half of this year, Samsung Electronics nabbed first place with 22.2 percent, while China's TCL came in second with 21.2 percent. Vizio, the largest TV maker in the United States, placed third with 14.3 percent while LG Electronics took fourth place with 11.6 percent. HiSense came in fifth with 7.5 percent.