Supply chains are expecting weak demand for TV component orders as the May 1 holiday period in China approaches, according to industry sources.

　　TV demand in China has already dropped on year in 2014, with LED-backlit units seeing some of the biggest drops. This has caused reserves to pile up more than expected, which on top of already lagging demand will bring in fewer-than-expected orders throughout most of the first half of 2014, the sources said.

　　A large reason to the on-year drop has to do with the China government ending LCD TV purchase subsidies in 2013, the sources said, adding that TV vendors are looking to slash prices to clear out inventories.

　　However, supply chains are seeing increased orders for smartphone components in preparation for the May 1 holiday, with better-than-expected results to come throughout the first half.

　　Smartphone vendors such as Samsung Electronics, Lenovo and Huawei Device are all putting in orders in preparation for increased smartphone sales throughout late April into early May. Most of the orders are for 4G units, the sources noted.