Following developments to push Ultra HD TVs in the market vendors have begun to promote curved units as well and aim to push the technology throughout 2015-2016. However, due to higher panel costs, limited market prospects and higher retail pricing, shipments during the time period will be limited, with only about 2.8-3 million curved LCD TV panels shipped in 2015, according to Digitimes Research.
Panel pricing for curved units with similar specs to flat TV panels is still relatively more expensive. Currently, 55- and 65-inch curved LCD TV panels have 30% higher costs than flat TV panels, but overall are still cheaper than OLED TV panels.
Due to high OLED material costs, in 2015 curved OLED TV sales are unlikely to break 800,000 as a result. However, as OLED TV panel costs drop consumers could see curved OLED TVs be the most widely accepted choice of curved TVs as early as 2018. OLED TVs do not require backlighting, unlike LCD TVs, and will have advantages in achieving curved, stylish features.
Meanwhile, Digitimes Research also estimates that curved LCD TV shipments will exceed quantum dot LCD TV shipments in 2015.
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