TV Prices Set to Rise in January Amid Memory Chip Shortage, Weakening Rupee

Consumers may have to pay more for televisions next year as prices are expected to rise by 3-4% from January due to a combination of rising memory chip costs and a weakening rupee. The Indian currency recently slipped past the 90-to-a-dollar mark, intensifying pressure on the electronics industry.

The domestic TV manufacturing sector faces a challenging environment, with only around 30% of the value of an LED TV added locally. Key components such as open cells, semiconductor chips, and motherboards are largely imported, making manufacturers vulnerable to global price fluctuations.

The price surge is further exacerbated by a global memory chip shortage. High demand for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) used in AI servers has driven up prices for various memory types, including DRAM and flash. Chipmakers are prioritizing high-margin AI chips, reducing the supply of components for traditional devices such as TVs.

Industry experts warn that the combined impact of import dependence and the global chip crunch could make electronics, especially televisions, costlier for Indian consumers in the months ahead.