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We Bought the CHEAPEST OLED TV… How Bad Could It Be? - Skyworth XC9000

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips3.5M viewsNov 6, 202114:57
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Check out NZXT BLD today at: nzxt.co Use code LINUS and get 25% off GlassWire at lmg.gg If you could get a 55" OLED display for hundreds of dollars cheaper than usual, would you buy one? Should you buy one? We took the plunge for you and bought the Skyworth 55XC9000, come

check out the results! Buy OLED TVs On Crutchfield (PAID LINK): howl.me On Best Buy (PAID LINK): howl.me On Samsung (PAID LINK): howl.me Buy Xbox Series S on Best Buy (PAID LINK): howl.me Buy Xbox Series X: geni.us Buy NVIDIA SHIELD Pro: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:42 Skyworth 55XC9000 1:30 How so cheap? 2:40 Linus Business Tips 6:45 Who is Skyworth? 7:54 The TV 10:40 Can it game? 12:22 Audio quirks 13:23 Should you buy it? 14:46 Outro

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The video digs into why the Skyworth 55XC9000 OLED TV can be sold for a significantly lower price than premium OLEDs like LG’s models, and what that implies for consumers and the market. It starts by laying out the central question: how can a third party offer the same OLED panel at a much lower price, and what trade-offs might come with that discount? The host explains the relationship differences between LG Electronics and LG Display, noting that LG Display focuses on high volume and may sell panels to non-LG brands, while LG Electronics aims for premium margins. A key concept introduced is the minimum advertised price MAP, a mechanism used to protect brand perception and prevent retailers from undercutting each other too aggressively, which can trigger a cascading price war among retailers. The discussion then broadens to supply chain dynamics, where aggressive discounts create pressure on other retailers and manufacturers, potentially leading to short-term losses in exchange for market share and future profits. The analysis connects these business realities to the consumer-facing product, showing how such a strategy affects pricing, availability, and perceived value over time. The segment concludes with a clear takeaway: while the Skyworth OLED can be a tempting buy on sale, its long-term performance relative to premium OLEDs may justify cautious purchasing, especially for discerning home theater enthusiasts.

Topics · technology · retail · business · consumer_electronics

Questions answered

Why can Skyworth sell OLED panels at prices well below LG Electronics' own models?
Skyworth can price below LG Electronics due to structural differences: LG Display manufactures panels for many brands, including budget-focused players, and LG Electronics concentrates on premium products with higher margins. Additionally, MAP (minimum advertised price) policies and channel dynamics can allow third-party retailers to discount while brands protect long-term perception, influencing how aggressively prices are cut.
What is MAP and how does it affect TV pricing in retail channels?
MAP stands for minimum advertised price. It protects a brand by limiting how low retailers can promote a product. If one retailer discounts heavily, others may match or undercut to remain competitive, potentially triggering a broader price compression cycle that can pressure manufacturers, retailers, and channel partners.
What are the main trade-offs when buying the cheapest OLED option like Skyworth XC9000?
Trade-offs include potentially lower brightness, less responsive smart TV performance due to cheaper hardware, possible HDR processing compromises, and quirks in audio passthrough. While the picture quality can still be excellent for OLED blacks, spec highlights and consistency may lag behind premium models, and long-term reliability and resale value could be concerns.
Is the Skyworth XC9000 a good buy for gaming or casual use?
For casual use and budget-conscious buyers, it can be a reasonable entry into OLED, especially if found on sale. Gaming is feasible, with acceptable input lag and good motion clarity, but not optimized like higher-end models. For enthusiast gamers seeking the best brightness, HDR performance, and fastest response, a premium OLED would be preferable.