Driven by price competitiveness in the North America market and increasing demand in the China market, the penetration rate for Ultra HD (4K) TVs is expected to reach 20% globally in 2015.

According to supply chain sources, costs for 4K TVs have now dropped to 1.15 times that of Full HD units while pricing remains at around 1.5 times higher. Large-size TV demand meanwhile is increasing and consumers are leaning more toward purchases of higher-end 4K units as a result.

Global TV shipments are estimated to reach between 200-210 million in 2015, with 4K TVs accounting for 40 million to represent approximately 20%, the sources estimate.

The sources added they estimate North America and China will be the main drivers for 4K TV growth in 2015 while demand in Japan and Europe will remain flat.

Supply chains such as LCD driver IC packaging makers are expected to see driver IC demand increase 2-3 times for larger-size, high-resolution TVs, the sources noted.