TV Prices Are Going Up in 2026: Tariffs, Memory Costs, and What It Means for You
If you've been waiting for the right moment to buy a new TV, that moment is now — and this time, we mean it more than ever.
There are two separate forces pushing TV prices higher in 2026. Neither of them is going away soon. Here's what's happening and what it means for anyone shopping for a Samsung TV in the Baltimore and Washington DC area.
Force #1: Tariffs Are Back — And They're Real This Time
When we wrote about tariffs last year, there was still uncertainty about whether they'd stick. That uncertainty is gone. The current tariff environment has Samsung and LG — both of whom assemble their North American TVs in Mexico — reviewing their pricing and operations in response to new trade policy.
Here's the good news specific to Samsung: because Samsung TVs sold in North America are largely assembled in Mexico rather than China, they're currently protected under the USMCA trade agreement and face lower direct tariff exposure than Chinese-made competitors like Hisense and TCL. That's a meaningful advantage right now.
Here's the less good news: component costs are rising regardless of where the TV is assembled. Panels, semiconductors, and other parts that go into Samsung TVs are sourced globally and face their own cost pressures.
Force #2: The RAM Crisis Is Raising TV Prices Independently of Tariffs
This is the story most consumers haven't heard yet. The explosive growth of AI — ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and the data centers that power them — has created an unprecedented global shortage of RAM and memory chips. AI companies are buying memory in massive quantities, which has driven prices up dramatically.
Samsung's own co-CEO warned at CES 2026 that this situation is unprecedented and that no company is immune. Memory prices rose over 40% in Q1 2026 alone, with another 20% increase projected for Q2. Smart TVs depend on RAM to run their operating systems and apps — which means those cost increases flow directly into TV manufacturing costs.
Samsung President Wonjin Lee stated plainly: "Prices are going up even as we speak. We don't want to convey that burden to consumers, but we're going to be at a point where we have to actually consider repricing our products."
That repricing is coming. The question is when.
What This Means for Samsung TV Buyers Right Now
The 2026 Samsung lineup — S95H, S90H, S85H, QN80H, QN70H, Frame Pro — is available now at current pricing. That pricing was set before the full impact of memory cost increases has worked through the system.
If you're considering a premium Samsung TV — an S95H, S90H, or Frame Pro — buying in the next 30-60 days locks in today's price before any repricing occurs. A 10% price increase on a $3,000 TV is $300. On a $5,000 TV it's $500. On a $6,500 S95H it's $650.
The 2025 models that are still in stock are an even sharper value — particularly the QN90F, which Samsung discontinued for 2026 with no direct replacement. What's left is what's left, and when it's gone, that price point disappears entirely.
Why Samsung Is the Safer Choice Right Now
If tariffs escalate further and the USMCA exemption comes under pressure, Chinese TV brands — Hisense, TCL — face dramatically steeper tariff exposure than Samsung. Analysts project potential price increases of 25% or more on Chinese-made TVs. Samsung's Mexico production base is a genuine competitive advantage in the current trade environment.
This is not a reason to panic or rush a decision you're not ready for. But it is a reason to stop waiting if you've been on the fence.
Our Recommendation
Come in and see the 2026 lineup in person before prices move. All 11 of our Maryland and Virginia showrooms have the new models on the floor. We'll show you exactly what's worth buying at your budget, give you our honest take on whether to buy now or wait, and guarantee the lowest price you'll find anywhere — plus we pay your sales tax.
No appointment needed. We're open Monday through Saturday 11am to 7pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm.