SONYs - SAMSUNGs: 32" versus 40" - General Pricing

[GeoTracks]

Have been tracking prices for the 32" segment & 40" segment LCDs for sometime now. Compared to a year ago, the 32" LCD prices have dropped, while the 40" LCD segment prices have NOT dropped. Wonder why?

E.g.:
i) A friend of mine bought the 32" LG Jazz for around 44K in Dec. '08 from Reliance Digital. Today the same 32" Jazz is being sold for 38K - 40K range, depending how one bargains.

ii) The 32" S550 series SONY with the NEW BE3 is priced slightly less than the earlier S400 BE2 series.

iii) The 4 series & 5 series SAMSUNGs in the 32" LCD range are priced lesser than what they costed during Nov. '08 / Dec. '08.

However, I also know people who bought the 40" 5 series (A550) SAMSUNG for around 58K last September '08. The prices are still the same. Infact the SAMSUNG B550 is around 61K today, which is more than the 40A550. SONY's S series 37" & 40" and also V series 40" is still hovering around the same price range as last year.

Cassually discussed these points with both Ezone & Reliance Digital sales guys and got the response from both places that LCD market pricing is now saturated. Manufacturers will not be reducing prices appreciable in the 40" segment. Only thing they may do is come up with newer models and keep the cost same. They also said that manufacturing price of 32" LCD screen (from factory ) has gone down a bit, but not the 40" LCD screens.

Any guesses if the 40" LCDs will be coming down in prices anytime soon as did the 32" LCD segment has done in the past few months?

 

[adder]

well we must also understand that when comparing it to last years models the price of dollar at that time was about Rs44,now its around Rs48~.while oem lcd price might have become cheaper,the end consumer price may not be the same
secondly the 32inch lcds are overstocked so they are selling it for a cheaper price.only asian and european markers is where 32inch still sells well.in the US most people consider only 40inch and above,just like big cars.

 

[GeoTracks]

well we must also understand that when comparing it to last years models the price of dollar at that time was about Rs44,now its around Rs48~.while oem lcd price might have become cheaper,the end consumer price may not be the same
secondly the 32inch lcds are overstocked so they are selling it for a cheaper price.only asian and european markers is where 32inch still sells well.in the US most people consider only 40inch and above,just like big cars.

Understand what you are saying.

However, look at Panasonic's PV8 / PV80 models (42" range) as also the SAMSUNG's & LG's Plasmas (42" range), the prices have dropped significantly.

Somehow still do not see that 'correction' in the LCD segment. e.g. there were times last year when the PV8 sold around 60K range and now it is around 44K range. Now that is a 'price drop'!

Following above sequence, logically even the LCD 40" segment should have come down, atleast slightly, but it has not. A good check point is the SAMSUNG 40A550 or the SONY 40" S & V series. Look at last year's price and compare the current. They are the same!

 

[adder]

well there are lot of reason why pv8 has become cheaper,but then take a look at the X10 plasma,it is about 15k or so more expensive then what it is replacing.
as far as sony and samsung prices well the OEM suppliers haven't realy made any price drop,secondly with manufactures like toshiba placing orders with AU optronics there is even more demand for 40inch panels which only few companies make,i mean look at samsung despite them making their own lcds they still have to rely on 2 more companies for lcds,while sony relies on samsung and sony,samsung as to go for a third manufactuer CMO for lcds.

even sony is in talks with LG for possible 42inch,47inch lcd panels and they are far cheaper then samsung and AU optronic panel prices.