The global shortage of semiconductors could damage Samsung’s record-breaking TV business (Image: SAMSUNG • GETTY)
In case you missed the news, there is currently an ongoing global shortage of semiconductors. The lack of these crucial chips, which can be found in a dizzying number of products, causes widespread damage to new and existing products. Struggling to grab a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X at checkout due to low inventory? The shortage of chips is to blame for this. Disappointed that Samsung has delayed a new Galaxy Note phone until 2022 at the earliest? The shortage of chips is to blame for this. Tried to buy a new graphics card for your PC and found that the prices are three or four times higher than last year? Yup, you guessed it – the shortage of chips is to blame.
The deficit has been exacerbated in recent months by factory fires on production plans, earthquakes and the blockade in Egypt’s Suez Canal late last month.
And now, a Samsung executive has publicly voiced concern that – without the short-term shortfall diminishing – the shortages could soon have a dismal impact on Samsung’s television production. Han Jong-hee, head of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display division, told reporters in South Korea this week that if the severe chip shortage doesn’t improve soon, it may not be “possible to produce TVs.”
Considering that Samsung is easily the largest producer of Smart TVs in the world, that’s really not ideal.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your obsolete television to a shiny new model in the coming months, you could soon be faced with endless ‘Sold Out’ and ‘More Stock Soon’ warnings. With the Olympics and the euro on the horizon – both big incentives for people to treat themselves to a new TV, the supply problems could hit sooner than Samsung expects.
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US President Joe Biden gives a briefing on the shortage of semiconductors (Image: GETTY)
As you would expect, Samsung is doing everything it can to fix the problem. According to reports, Samsung Electronics’ Han Jong-hee has met with Taiwanese chip makers, such as MediaTek and NovaTek, to try to get additional offerings to keep TVs off the production line. Based on previous sales figures, Samsung sells approximately 430,000 smart TVs worldwide every day. That’s a lot of chips.
“We are doing everything we can to prevent problems,” Han Jong-hee told reporters in South Korea. He is confident that supplies for this year will remain unaffected, and that the problems of the global deficit are likely to hit next year.
Despite concerns about the shortage of semiconductors, Han Jong-hee confirmed that Samsung’s mass production line for its 146-inch Micro LED is now fully operational. This wall-sized TV will be joined by 110, 70 and 80-inch models later this year, Samsung has confirmed.
Fortunately, there is good news if you already have a Samsung Smart TV at home. The company recently secured 166 new channels to watch for free.
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