Higher memory and processor-board costs can put pressure on TV prices because they raise the cost of building a television. But they do not translate automatically into a matching increase at the checkout: manufacturers may absorb some costs, change product configurations or reprice models, while retailers’ inventory and promotions shape the price shoppers actually pay.
How component costs can reach TV prices
A television’s bill of materials (BOM) is the cost of the components used to make it. DRAM and Flash NAND eMMC memory, processors and other parts of the processing board contribute to that bill. When suppliers charge manufacturers more for those inputs, the TV costs more to build unless the manufacturer offsets the increase elsewhere.
That creates pressure, not a fixed retail-price formula. A manufacturer might raise a model’s price, accept a lower margin, alter its specifications or emphasize other products. The eventual shelf price also depends on product tier, competition, stock already in the channel, launch timing and retailer discounts. No general, verified percentage shows how much of a component-cost increase is passed on to TV buyers.
What the reported cost figures show
The estimates below illustrate why the impact can differ by component and TV configuration. They describe analyst estimates or forecasts, not the cost breakdown of every television.
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| Measure | Reported figure | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| DRAM share of TV BOM | 2.5–3% before the recent rise; 6–7% amid the surge | TrendForce estimate, 2026. The share can increase as memory costs rise, even if a TV’s specifications do not change. |
| Display-panel share of overall TV manufacturing cost | About 40–50% | TrendForce estimate, 2026. Panels remain a major cost input alongside memory and board components. |
| Processing-board share of BOM | 31% for a specified 55-inch UHD Google smart TV; 20% for a specified 75-inch UHD smart TV; 37% for a specified 32-inch HD smart TV | Omdia figures for the specified configurations in Q2 2026. These are not universal ratios for those screen sizes. |
| TV memory price outlook | Expected to be twice first-half 2025 levels from the second half of 2025 | Omdia’s 2025 analysis covered DRAM and Flash NAND eMMC. This was an outlook, not a statement of prices for every memory purchase. |
Why memory and processor costs are under pressure
Memory competes with demand from other markets
TrendForce attributed pressure on TV-memory supply to demand from high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and server applications. Its 2026 analysis described rising memory costs as one part of a broader increase in TV manufacturing costs, not the sole cause. The Omdia memory outlook also covered both DRAM and Flash NAND eMMC, so “memory” here is not just a reference to a TV’s RAM.
The board’s share depends on the TV
A processing board brings together components needed to run a television, including its processor and memory. Omdia’s Q2 2026 estimates vary across its specified 32-, 55- and 75-inch configurations. That variation is a reason not to apply one board-cost percentage to all TVs—or assume that a small, entry-level set has the same cost profile as a larger model.
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Panels and other materials matter too
TrendForce estimated display panels at about 40–50% of overall TV manufacturing cost and also cited rising precious-metal costs. A memory-price story therefore cannot, by itself, explain the total manufacturing cost or predict the retail price of a particular model.
What manufacturers have said—and what that does not establish
In comments reported by Tom’s Guide after CES 2026, Samsung President and Head of Global Marketing Wonjin Lee said semiconductor supply issues would affect everyone and that Samsung might have to consider repricing its products. That is an acknowledgment of supply pressure and a possible response, not an announced increase for every Samsung TV or a commitment to a particular price change.
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Tom’s Guide also reported that Hisense Head of Corporate Communications & Public Relations Kenneth Hong said memory supply was putting pressure on the supply chain and the company was strengthening supplier collaboration. Hong said the RAM issue had not, to that point, materially affected delivery plans. Supply pressure and delivery impact are distinct: one does not prove that every brand has changed prices or that products will be unavailable.
Why a higher component bill may not mean a higher price for your TV
Manufacturing cost and retail price are different measures. A maker can absorb costs in its margin, adjust a model’s configuration or set a different launch price. Retailers may then sell through existing stock or discount particular models. As a result, one television’s price can rise while another falls on promotion, even when manufacturers face pressure from the same component market.
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Omdia’s May 2026 reporting described selected Walmart and Amazon TV promotions in Q2 2026 with title-level discounts of 30–50%. These were promotional observations, not evidence that all TVs became cheaper by that amount. For Walmart listings, Omdia used a stated 90-day median price paid as its comparison basis. Its report also noted substantial discounts on selected models at Walmart and Best Buy, illustrating why a shopper’s transaction price need not track component costs or a new model’s launch price.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare TVs when costs are changing
- Compare like with like. Match screen size, resolution, product tier and relevant features rather than inferring one model’s costs from a different class of TV.
- Check the configuration and date behind cost estimates. Omdia’s board-share figures apply to specified configurations in Q2 2026, not every TV of the same screen size.
- Compare actual selling prices. Look at the current and prior-year models’ prices and features, not just a new model’s launch price or a claimed discount without its comparison basis.
- Separate forecasts from observed prices. An analyst’s input-cost estimate, a manufacturer’s consideration of repricing and a retailer’s current selling price are three different kinds of evidence.
Where price pressure may be more pronounced
TrendForce said smaller brands may carry a heavier burden from component-cost increases because of their scale and resources. That is a qualified industry observation, not a conclusion that every small brand will raise prices more than larger manufacturers.
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In an October 3, 2026 report, TechRadar relayed Omdia figures via DigiTimes suggesting processing boards could account for 45–50% of cost in some smaller models in Q3 2026, in some cases comparable to or above panel costs. Because this is secondary reporting of estimates for certain models, it should not be generalized to all small TVs or treated as a confirmed cost breakdown for a particular product.
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