Smart TVs to Trump 3D TVs in Sales

TAIPEI: Smart TVs are poised to see significant growth next year, with shipments to double to 52.85 million units, according to the Topology Research Institute, compared to 48.2 million 3D TV shipments.

The Taiwan-based research company said 7.04 million smart TVs were sold globally in 2010, with the figure likely to increase to 25.18 million units in 2011. This would account for 10.4 percent of all TV shipments worldwide. This number is expected to grow to 52.85 million units in 2012, growing 100 percent for the year and accounting for 20 percent of all TV shipments. The growth for smart TV shipments for between 2012 and 2013 will be 41.2 percent, then 66.2 percent between 2013 and 2014.

Growth for 3D TVs is expected to be 78.2 percent for 2012 to 2013, then 32.2 percent for 2013 to 2014. 3D TV unit shipments will not exceed those of smart TVs.