Kogan is an established TV brand in the Australia and New Zealand markets. It is famous for being a budget-friendly brand that offers the latest TVs with a wide range of features at an affordable price.
However, when it comes to buying a TV, it is vital to consider more factors than just price and features, for example, the TV’s manufacturer. In the case of Kogan TVs, its models are designed in-house in Australia, but assembled overseas.
In this guide, we take a look at who exactly makes Kogan TV, where and how they are manufactured, and other interesting facts about the TV brand.
Who makes Kogan TVs?
Kogan TVs are designed in Australia by an in-house team, which conceptualises the look, features, and user interface. But while the company designs the TVs, it does not manufacture them; instead, they are assembled using components from third-party manufacturers.
Kogan was launched in 2006 by Ruslan Kogan, initially as an e-commerce store for gadgets and electronics. However, it has since expanded its operations, becoming one of the leading electronics and home appliance brands in Australia.
Kogan uses a direct-to-consumer business model for its televisions, assembling them and cutting out middlemen to sell them directly to consumers. Therefore, the company can offer its TVs at relatively low prices.
Where are Kogan TVs made?
Kogan televisions are designed in Australia, but they are not manufactured in the Pacific nation. Instead, the TVs are assembled in Asia, primarily China, using components sourced from major TV brands and other original equipment manufacturers.
Cost efficiency is one of the top reasons why the TVs are assembled in Asia. The region, particularly China, offers lower manufacturing costs, particularly for components and labor.
Asia is also the global hub of TV manufacturers, with many original equipment manufacturers based in the region. Therefore, Kogan can leverage the region’s extensive supply chain and manufacturing expertise to deliver high-quality television units at a lower cost.
Are the TVs the same as Samsung TVs?
As noted earlier, Kogan TVs are assembled from components sourced from various TV manufacturers. One of these manufacturers is Samsung, with several Kogan TV models made using Samsung display panels.
Additionally, the company also offers Tizen Smart TVs, which are not only made using Samsung display panels but also powered by Samsung’s Tizen Smart OS.
The company advertises that it makes TVs using components from major brands like Samsung. This has led some consumers to assume that Kogan TVs are essentially the same as Samsung’s, only cheaper.
However, the Australian brand’s TVs are not the same as Samsung TVs or those of other brands like LG, whose components the company uses. The primary reason is that the TVs are made/assembled by different manufacturers, despite using similar components.
However, since Kogan uses the same display panels (and, in some cases, the same OS) as Samsung, its TVs can have features and user interfaces similar to those of Samsung TVs.
Are Kogan TVs any good?
Kogan has made a name for itself for offering budget-friendly TVs with the latest features.
For example, a 55-inch Kogan QLED 4K Tizen Smart TV costs AU$569 (US$ 381.12). However, a similar 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV from Samsung costs $689.99.
Therefore, in terms of affordability, the Kogan brand is worth it. However, some users have complained about the quality of Kogan TVs, particularly regarding brightness, contrast, and color.
Additionally, several users have complained about Kogan’s customer service, which could be an issue if you purchase a TV and experience problems.
That said, when you compare the features and prices of Kogan TVs, the brand may be worth it, especially if you are only looking for an affordable TV that delivers decent viewing.