Scottsdale, Ariz. – Samsung ranked first in U.S. consumer HDTV
purchase intent for the first half of 2012, according to a new study from
.
Samsung passed Sony, which was the previous segment leader in the
category, with LG and Vizio also making noteworthy increases from previous
surveys.
Of the 25 percent of respondents who claimed interest in
purchasing a HDTV in the first half of 2012, 20 percent cited Samsung, followed
by 19 percent for Sony (previously 27 percent).
LG generated the largest increase, jumping from 6 percent of
respondents to 12 percent, with Vizio claiming 11 percent (up from 8 percent).
“Regardless how long-lasting this shift in consumer interest may
be, Sony continues to face a difficult challenge with its TV business, as do
many TV manufacturers,” stated Michael Inouye, ABI Research senior analyst.
The report found that consumers continue to rank price, display
technology and screen size as the most important considerations in their TV
purchase decisions, he added.
“All of which conspire to make differentiation in the TV market
increasingly difficult,” Inouye said.
New features including Internet connectivity, and 3D have not yet
yielded the spark in demand TV manufacturers were counting on to help generate
deeper margins, ABI said.
The 3D feature remains the least important feature cited by
consumers when asked about TV purchase intent and a higher percentage (42
percent versus 39 percent) of respondents claimed to have no interest in a
3D-ready TV.
“Samsung has perhaps found the right balance between pricing,
features, and form factor as the company continues to outpace the competition
in the flat panel TV market,” said Inouye. “While 3D and Internet connectivity
have not generated the boost to the bottom line as some had hoped, the latter
at least remains an essential ingredient to best address the changing consumer
landscape for CE.”
ABI
Research’s Technology Barometer: Connected Home and Computing Research Service
study
can be acquired at the firm’s website.
