Dubai
LG Electronics, which launched TVs with curved displays last year in the UAE, said that even though 2014 is going to be the year for ultra high-definition (UHD or 4K) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs, the main business will come from LCD TVs.
“Sales of UHD and OLED TVs will be limited as the products are expensive, but there are customers who want innovative and premium products,” D.Y. Kim, president of LG Gulf, told Gulf News.
According to a research firm IHS, overall TV sales in the Middle East and Africa this year are expected to be 17.7 million units compared to 16.8 million units, registering a growth of over five per cent.
Meanwhile, the LCD shipments are expected to grow by 10.35 per cent to 15.45 million this year compared to 14 million last year.
Kim said that UHD and OLED TV sales currently contribute just around 10 per cent to LG’s overall TV business and this figure is expected to more than double this year.
“Due to the awesome viewing experience, many consumers are likely to own one of these ultra-high definition TVs despite the cost factor,” Sweta Dash, senior director for display research at IHS, said.
She said that 4K TVs are gaining acceptance across the world as Taiwanese suppliers are reducing the panel prices and Chinese brands are offering low-priced 4K TVs.
“We are seeing a big shift towards 4K TV acceptance this year. Some of the brands have reduced the prices of 4K TVs in the second half of last year,” she said.
