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Why Samsung and LG Are Losing to This Chinese Brand: The TCL TV Takeover

How an underdog brand from China disrupted the giants of the television industry and won over global consumers.

By Shahjahan Kabir KhanPublished 5 months ago 4 min read

High end televisions are usually dominated in discussion by two companies: Samsung and LG.These South Korean companies have long set the standard for quality thanks to their smart capabilities, beautiful designs, and sophisticated display technologies.China has arisen as a fresh competitor over the past few years, not the United States or Japan.TCL is a competitor transforming the television industry.

Consequently, what actions did TCL take to become one of the top television makers in the world from a relative unknown, therefore forcing Samsung and LG to reconsider their domination?Shifting consumer preferences and a will to introduce fresh ideas and transform the industry are the main drivers of this change.

The Rise of TCL: From Humble Beginnings to Global Powerhouse

Originally dismissed as a rival in the premium technology industry, TCL started out as a small electronics company in China in the 1980s.For years, the firm produced rather cheap gadgets, yet they were frequently overlooked by bigger competitors.

TCL invested heavily in R&D and increasing its global footprint in the early 2010s.TCL shifted its emphasis from only being a cheap substitute to one on invention, design, and high-end display technology.

TCL's strong presence in the American and European markets made it a useful alternative to Samsung and LG in the late 2010s.Not just cheap prices, their method was to give matching features and image quality at significantly reduced expenses.

Why TCL is Winning the TV Battle

TCL's worldwide television market success may be explained by a mix of pricing, innovation, and knowledge of consumer behavior.Let's examine these aspects.

1. Affordable Innovation

Television technology leaders Samsung and LG are innovating cost-effectively OLED, QLED, and MicroLED.But the cost of these avant-garde choices might occasionally cause buyers to reflect.

TCL, on the other hand, has found the ideal market.Early acceptance of MiniLED technology and incorporation of features including 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and userfriendly operating systems allow TCL to provide premium experiences at middle-range prices.For many customers, the difference between a $2,000 Samsung OLED and a $900 TCL MiniLED is not worth the extra expense.

2. Aggressive Partnerships

TCL fast built partnerships with major streaming platforms so as to include these into their smart televisions.Their collaboration with Roku TV changed the American market by providing customers simple access to a great number of streaming channels without the use for more equipment.TCL grabbed the interest of cable cutters and younger consumers by making this relationship.

3. Consumer-Centric Marketing

TCL engages directly with average consumers unlike Samsung and LG, which often emphasize cuttingedge capabilities mostly geared at tech enthusiasts.Rather than only technical aspects, their marketing stresses affordability, value, and integration into daily lives.This approach has made TCL more alluring to first-time smart TV consumers as well as average families.

4. Global Manufacturing Advantage

Cheaper manufacturing expenses and great capacity for TCL, a Chinese company, help.Their operational effectiveness allows them to offer lower pricing than rivals without losing too much on quality.Usually having greater manufacturing costs, Samsung and LG find it difficult to match TCL's prices.

Why Samsung and LG Are Feeling the Heat

Leading players in the high-end television industry, Samsung and LG are not going away soon with their OLED and QDOLED goods.Conversely, TCL is aiming at the largest consumer base—those looking for midrange solutions—thus their market dominance is dwindling.

Already a best-selling television brand in the United States, TCL has in some cases passed LG.Parallel with this, the company is growing quickly throughout Europe and Asia.While Samsung and LG continue to lead the innovation scene, TCL is growing somewhat famous among the general public.

The Consumer Shift: Price vs. Prestige

Buying a Samsung or LG TV in the past signaled luxury as it was a way of asserting ownership of the greatest good.However, owing to increasing expenses, inflation, and changing consumer preferences, the importance of value has soared in the economy of today.

TCL noted immediately the change in customer attitude.Many modern consumers wonder why they should spend twice as much for a TV when another company offers 90% of the same features for half the price.

Samsung and LG both find this to be a challenge.High prices are the foundation of their business strategy; hence, even if they have launched less costly models, they often struggle to compete with TCL's pricing without compromising their bottom line.

What the Future Holds for TCL and Its Rivals

The television industry is at an interesting crossroads.A peek of what is ahead is presented here:

Samsung & LG: Samsung and LG are anticipated to keep their concentration on the premium market, presenting innovations like foldable displays, see through screens, and AI-enhanced image quality.Although they will keep their standing as pioneers in cutting-edge technology, they might have difficulties to relate to the larger audience.

TCL: TCL is poised to remain a significant player in the low-cost premium market, maybe exploring OLED and highertier offerings while still keeping prices reasonable.As they improve their smart home products, their worldwide profile is likely to grow.

Consumers: Shoppers will come across an unparalleled variety of possibilities.Samsung and LG would be enticing to anyone following the newest technology.For many who give great watching experiences a high priority at a reasonable price, though, TCL will most likely be their first option.

Final Thoughts

Although TCL's story is not just about televisions, it illustrates the character of disturbance in the current corporate environment.Focusing on cost effectiveness, pertinent innovation, and customer-centric strategies, TCL has successfully challenged and even surpassed leading companies like Samsung and LG in significant markets.

This shows how no firm, of any size, is invincible.Ultimately, it is the consumers who define success—and right now, they are leaning toward TCL.

The weaknesses of the behemoth now offer opportunities for the underdog, just the proverb says.TCL has turned that chance into a global success.

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