Black Friday shoppers should look for smartphone, 4K TVs, tablet deals
TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Black Friday shoppers should look for smartphone, 4K TVs, tablet deals

When the holiday stocking-stuffing season officially kicks off this Friday, tech-savvy U.S. shoppers are in for a treat, as smartphone competitors figure to begin offering special package deals and discounts on those devices.

As they head to retail outlets and shop online on Black Friday, Nov. 25, and through the holidays, American shoppers may also want to add 4K televisions, tablets and notebooks to their wish lists. Due to a variety of market factors, it’s a great time to shop for deals specifically on those types of electronics, according to new analysis from IHS Markit (ihsmarket.com), an information, analytics and solutions firm.

Ever since mid-October, when Samsung Electronics recalled its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones due to their overheating, competitors such as Apple, Sony, Google and LG Electronics have not yet been able to capitalize on Samsung’s perceived weakness with their own offers. However, things may soon be different, bringing good tidings to smartphone shoppers, said Jusy Hong, analyst for IHS Technology.
“While the U.S. smartphone market has shown a definite stagnation for a couple of years, it promises to pick up and Black Friday may mark the start of that turnaround,” Hong said.
Samsung’s Note 7 incident may benefit Apple in a big way. Apple’s iPhone shipments declined from 48 million in Q3 2015 to 45.5 million in the most recent quarter. However, Apple is expected to enjoy strong demand in Q4, partly making up for Samsung’s missteps. The iPhone 7 Plus, the LG V20 and the Google Pixel XL are all high-end, large-screen devices that compete directly in the space vacated by the Note 7.

Still a market leader, Samsung is shifting its efforts to push its existing portfolio in place of the Note 7, said Gerrit Schneeman, senior analyst for IHS Technology.
“The Galaxy S 7/edge devices had successful launches earlier in 2016, and they appear to be refocusing their marketing and production efforts on these devices,” Schneeman said. “Samsung is also bringing some elements of the Note 7 user experience to Galaxy S7 edge devices, trying to use as much of its new user interface on older devices to update them with new functionality.

“Importantly, Samsung has a history of supporting its devices with incentives for buyers,” Schneeman said. “This includes, for example, a Gear VR headset in the purchase package. Such packages are likely to be the focus for the company during the holiday season to drive sales of the Galaxy S7 devices.”

There has been talk – and early adoption -- of 4K TV technology for some time now, but 2016 was the year 4K hit the mainstream. Also known as Ultra HD, 4K refers to a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. That's four times the 1,920 x 1,080 pixels found in a full HD TV.

According to Paul Gagnon, senior manager with IHS Technology, shipments of 4K TVs more than doubled during 3Q 2016, rising to more than 3.3 million units as manufacturers and retailers gear up for a strong holiday season push. And, just in time for the holidays, shoppers will find 4K to be less expensive and to feature larger screen sizes than ever, Gagnon said.

“IHS Markit is forecasting that in Q4 2016, North America 4K TV average prices will drop by more than 20 percent compared to Q4 2015,” Gagnon said. “This despite a sharp increase in LCD TV panel prices in recent months as Black Friday promotions were negotiated prior to the cost increases.”

As prices continue to fall, the popularity of larger screen sizes continues to rise. The average TV size will grow to nearly 45 inches in Q4 2016, with 55- inch 4K sales expected to be very strong and promotional prices well below $600 for the holidays.

Discerning holiday shoppers in the hunt for tablets should look for strong offerings from two “A” companies: Amazon and Apple:

Amazon’s 7-inch, Fire Tablet is crossing over into stocking stuffer territory for Black Friday at $33. Users who want a larger screen and higher resolution for their Prime movies can pick up a Fire HD8 for just under $60.

Apple may not be launching any new tablets this holiday season but is still poised to lead the market, with discounts of $100 and more available across the Air, Pro, and Mini lineups. The steepest discounts will come on the older products, but for those users waiting for a better price on the Pro, Best Buy is promising a $125 discount on the 9.7-inch models.

According to Rhoda Alexander, analyst for IHS Technology, tablet sales are down year-on year, but Windows-based versions are surging, on track to increase 32 percent in 2016, thanks to strong demand for detachables.

With an updated Pro 5 reportedly scheduled for launch in early 2017, Microsoft and its retail partners are clearing out existing inventories of the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, with discounts as high as $400 on Black Friday.

As for laptops, some of the biggest holiday bargains are going to be on larger, clamshell editions, with HP, Lenovo and Dell all offering sub-$300 deals across a variety of 15.6-inch models. From Acer Chromebooks for $99 to a 15.6-inch MSI gaming notebook and a wide variety of products in between, PC vendors are working to lure smartphone users back to laptops as well as to desktops.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Whitethorn Games combines two completely...
If you have ever gone fishing then you know that it is a lesson in patience, sitting around waiting for a bite that may never come. Well, that's because you have been doing it wrong, since as Whitehorn Games now demonstrates in new release Skate... | Read more »
Call of Duty Warzone is a Waiting Simula...
It's always fun when a splashy multiplayer game comes to mobile because they are few and far between, so I was excited to see the notification about Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile (finally) launching last week and wanted to try it out. As someone who... | Read more »
Albion Online introduces some massive ne...
Sandbox Interactive has announced an upcoming update to its flagship MMORPG Albion Online, containing massive updates to its existing guild Vs guild systems. Someone clearly rewatched the Helms Deep battle in Lord of the Rings and spent the next... | Read more »
Chucklefish announces launch date of the...
Chucklefish, the indie London-based team we probably all know from developing Terraria or their stint publishing Stardew Valley, has revealed the mobile release date for roguelike deck-builder Wildfrost. Developed by Gaziter and Deadpan Games, the... | Read more »
Netmarble opens pre-registration for act...
It has been close to three years since Netmarble announced they would be adapting the smash series Solo Leveling into a video game, and at last, they have announced the opening of pre-orders for Solo Leveling: Arise. [Read more] | Read more »
PUBG Mobile celebrates sixth anniversary...
For the past six years, PUBG Mobile has been one of the most popular shooters you can play in the palm of your hand, and Krafton is celebrating this milestone and many years of ups by teaming up with hit music man JVKE to create a special song for... | Read more »
ASTRA: Knights of Veda refuse to pump th...
In perhaps the most recent example of being incredibly eager, ASTRA: Knights of Veda has dropped its second collaboration with South Korean boyband Seventeen, named so as it consists of exactly thirteen members and a video collaboration with Lee... | Read more »
Collect all your cats and caterpillars a...
If you are growing tired of trying to build a town with your phone by using it as a tiny, ineffectual shover then fear no longer, as Independent Arts Software has announced the upcoming release of Construction Simulator 4, from the critically... | Read more »
Backbone complete its lineup of 2nd Gene...
With all the ports of big AAA games that have been coming to mobile, it is becoming more convenient than ever to own a good controller, and to help with this Backbone has announced the completion of their 2nd generation product lineup with their... | Read more »
Zenless Zone Zero opens entries for its...
miHoYo, aka HoYoverse, has become such a big name in mobile gaming that it's hard to believe that arguably their flagship title, Genshin Impact, is only three and a half years old. Now, they continue the road to the next title in their world, with... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

B&H has Apple’s 13-inch M2 MacBook Airs o...
B&H Photo has 13″ MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs and 256GB of storage in stock and on sale for up to $150 off Apple’s new MSRP, starting at only $849. Free 1-2 day delivery is available to most US... Read more
M2 Mac minis on sale for $100-$200 off MSRP,...
B&H Photo has Apple’s M2-powered Mac minis back in stock and on sale today for $100-$200 off MSRP. Free 1-2 day shipping is available for most US addresses: – Mac mini M2/256GB SSD: $499, save $... Read more
Mac Studios with M2 Max and M2 Ultra CPUs on...
B&H Photo has standard-configuration Mac Studios with Apple’s M2 Max & Ultra CPUs in stock today and on Easter sale for $200 off MSRP. Their prices are the lowest available for these models... Read more
Deal Alert! B&H Photo has Apple’s 14-inch...
B&H Photo has new Gray and Black 14″ M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max MacBook Pros on sale for $200-$300 off MSRP, starting at only $1399. B&H offers free 1-2 day delivery to most US addresses: – 14″ 8... Read more
Department Of Justice Sets Sights On Apple In...
NEWS – The ball has finally dropped on the big Apple. The ball (metaphorically speaking) — an antitrust lawsuit filed in the U.S. on March 21 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) — came down following... Read more
New 13-inch M3 MacBook Air on sale for $999,...
Amazon has Apple’s new 13″ M3 MacBook Air on sale for $100 off MSRP for the first time, now just $999 shipped. Shipping is free: – 13″ MacBook Air (8GB RAM/256GB SSD/Space Gray): $999 $100 off MSRP... Read more
Amazon has Apple’s 9th-generation WiFi iPads...
Amazon has Apple’s 9th generation 10.2″ WiFi iPads on sale for $80-$100 off MSRP, starting only $249. Their prices are the lowest available for new iPads anywhere: – 10″ 64GB WiFi iPad (Space Gray or... Read more
Discounted 14-inch M3 MacBook Pros with 16GB...
Apple retailer Expercom has 14″ MacBook Pros with M3 CPUs and 16GB of standard memory discounted by up to $120 off Apple’s MSRP: – 14″ M3 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/256GB SSD): $1691.06 $108 off MSRP – 14... Read more
Clearance 15-inch M2 MacBook Airs on sale for...
B&H Photo has Apple’s 15″ MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs (8GB RAM/256GB SSD) in stock today and on clearance sale for $999 in all four colors. Free 1-2 delivery is available to most US addresses.... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs drop to onl...
B&H has Apple’s base 13″ M1 MacBook Air (Space Gray, Silver, & Gold) in stock and on clearance sale today for $300 off MSRP, only $699. Free 1-2 day shipping is available to most addresses in... Read more

Jobs Board

Medical Assistant - Surgical Oncology- *Apple...
Medical Assistant - Surgical Oncology- Apple Hill Location: WellSpan Medical Group, York, PA Schedule: Full Time Sign-On Bonus Eligible Remote/Hybrid Regular Apply Read more
Omnichannel Associate - *Apple* Blossom Mal...
Omnichannel Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
Cashier - *Apple* Blossom Mall - JCPenney (...
Cashier - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Blossom Mall Read more
Operations Associate - *Apple* Blossom Mall...
Operations Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
Business Analyst | *Apple* Pay - Banco Popu...
Business Analyst | Apple PayApply now " Apply now + Apply Now + Start applying with LinkedIn Start + Please wait Date:Mar 19, 2024 Location: San Juan-Cupey, PR Read more
All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.