In this edition of CE Pro’s Weekly Rewind, Best Buy slashes its business forecast on tariff fears, Apple scales back its smart home hub, Samsung overtakes LG in U.S. OLED sales and more.
Best Buy Cuts Earnings Outlook Due to Tariffs
Sundry Photography – stock.adobe.com
Despite a surprise earnings increase, Best Buy has been forced to cut its full-year sales guidance in the wake of decreasing consumer interest mixed with ongoing uncertainty over tariffs.
On a call, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said the company has already had to raise prices on specific products, but calls them “the very last resort.” Which products were not specified.
Barry has stated, however, that, due to rising tariff pressures on consumer electronics, it is likely that the company will be forced to raise prices across its product line.
The company’s performance has become somewhat of an acid test to the effects of tariffs in recent months given its highly impacted inventory, according to CNBC.
Apple Scales Back Upcoming Smart Home Hub
Quality Stock Arts – stock.adobe.com
In the ongoing run-up to Apple’s rumored smart home display release, MacRumors has reported that some features originally planned in the initial model might be getting cut.
The reasoning, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, is to help speed up production of the device. What features were being pulled could not be stated at this current time.
The display in question is purported to feature an iPad-like display attached to a robotic limb that can respond to contextual voice commands through Apple’s Siri.
It has been speculated that the scrapped features would likely reappear in later models.
BYD Unveils New High-Energy-Density Home Battery
slavun – stock.adobe.com
BYD, commonly known for its EVs, released a high-energy-density home battery this week.
According to Maison et Domotique, the Battery-Box HVB, as it is called, is the fourth version of this battery to be released and pulls from BYD’s expertise in the automotive space.
The battery has a storage capacity of up to 29.6kWh and can be interconnected to achieve a maximum capacity of 89.07 kWh. Peak power delivery can reportedly reach 50 kw, however the company has stated average continuous power delivery is usually 25.6 kW.
Currently BYD’s presence in the U.S. remains scarce due to a 100% tariff levied at its passenger cars (unrelated to the current trade war), however, the company has seen great proliferation throughout the European home battery market.
Samsung Overtakes LG in OLED TV Sales
Samsung
New research from Omdia has found that Samsung has now overtaken LG in the U.S. OLED market. The news comes after a variety of developments in the U.S. TV landscape this year, including the filing of a class action lawsuit against competitors TCL and Hisense, though unrelated to OLEDs.
Observers have pointed to a variety of possibilities for the shift, including Samsung’s unique position to weather the ongoing trade war slightly better than its competitors, including LG.
Samsung’s manufacturing plants in Mexico have been cited as beneficial in helping the company avoid the worst of the Trump era tariffs so far.
The report also found that despite weaker consumer confidence, OLED sales and shipments have only continued to increase, with global OLED shipments increasing 11% despite an outsized drop in shipments (50% decrease) to Japan.
Submit Your Nominations for CE Pro’s Women to Watch in 2025
Following the success of the inaugural Women to Watch in 2024, CE Pro is once again opening nominations to recognize women redefining the industry.
From entrepreneurs to engineers, marketers to executives, this recognition seeks to demonstrate the depth and breadth of female talent redefining the home electronics industry.
As we open nominations for the 2025 Female 40, we’re once again seeking women who are making an impact—whether in the boardroom, on the jobsite, at industry events, or quietly innovating behind the scenes.
Email either Nick Boever ([email protected]), Zachary Comeau ([email protected]) or Bob Archer ([email protected]) with your nominees!
