Are 30-Inch Monitors Going to Get Cheaper?

Ever since the introduction of the first 30-inch monitors, prices have remained somewhat stagnant, but some reports suggest this is going to change as presumably Iiyama wants to break the so called "30-inch price control cartel."

According to KitGuru, the website behind this rumor, prices of 30-inch monitors haven't changed much in the last five or so years, an Apple 30-inch panel capable of 2560x1600 costing about £1,200 in 2005, just £76 more than what it retails for now.

This is also the case for Dell's Ultrasharp U3011 30-inch display, which is available for as much as £1,240.80 in some online stores.

The main reason behind this upsetting trend seems to be the small number of 30-inch panel manufacturers, KitGuru claiming that only one company has the facilities needed in order to build such screens.

In comparison, 23 and 24-inch LCDs had their prices significantly dropped and most models are now available for less than £200.

Furthermore, 26-inch monitors have also seen a huge price drop, as in 2005 such display would set you back a full £750, while today you can have it for as little as £250, about 65% less.

As KitGuru points out, if one company could release lower priced 30-inch 2560x1600 monitors, more would follow, making such models a lot more affordable for customers all over.

However, the main question that remains unaddressed by the cited article is if display manufacturers really feel the need for introducing newer 30-inch models to the market.

It seems to me that, with the proliferation of the 16:9 aspect ratio, many companies have lost their interest in 30-inch monitors, most turning their attention towards 27-inch models that offer 2560x1440 resolutions.

These are cheaper to produce and go very well with the 16:9 trend that engulfed the monitor world.

Sure, there are also some areas where 30-inch 2560×1600 resolutions displays are still required, but that is a niche market and it won't help much in getting the prices down.

End of it all, chances are that 30-inch monitors won't become “mainstream” until 4K resolutions displays start making their entrance, as all those extra pixels definitely require addition screen real estate.