As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global trade, the ripple effects are being felt across industries—and digital signage is no exception. Once a low-cost, plug-and-play essential, the digital signage media player has now become collateral damage in the U.S.-China trade dispute. With tariffs on Chinese imports surging as high as 54%, both vendors and, ultimately, customers are bearing the cost.
For organizations that depend on media players and SoC displays to power their signage networks, the impact is clear: hardware costs are rising, and budgets are tightening. What used to be a straightforward investment in audience engagement, real-time communication, and brand presence is now a complex financial decision. The impact? Projects stall. ROI horizons stretch. And many are forced to scale back features or deployments just to stay within budget.
It’s a frustrating reality—especially for those who had no say in global trade policy but are now left holding the bill. So, the question becomes: how can you continue delivering the experience your customers and employees expect, without letting increased hardware costs derail your plans?
Here are five smart ways to stretch your hardware investment in times of uncertainty.
✅ 1. Extend the Life of What You Already Own
Before investing in new hardware, focus on getting the most out of what’s already deployed. With a few smart practices, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your existing screens and media players:
- Run proactive diagnostics. Platforms like Korbyt, Appspace, and others offer remote device management tools that detect performance issues early—before they lead to hardware failure. Smart maintenance is always more cost-effective than premature replacement.
- Keep devices clean and cool. Dust and poor ventilation are silent killers. Regularly clean your devices and ensure adequate airflow to prevent overheating.
- Update firmware and drivers. Keeping software up to date helps maintain peak performance and ensures compatibility with content platforms.
- Optimize usage patterns. Don’t run displays 24/7 if you don’t have to. Use scheduling features to power down screens during off-hours, reducing wear and extending device life.
Small steps like these add up—and they can save you big in a high-tariff environment.
✅ 2. Embrace All-in-One Solutions
System-on-chip (SoC) displays with built-in media players are more powerful than ever—and for many environments, they eliminate the need for separate players. As of April 2025, certain System-on-Chip (SoC) displays and related digital signage hardware have been temporarily exempted from additional U.S. tariffs.
These all-in-one displays streamline deployments and offer several advantages:
- Simplify your setup – With built-in processing power, there’s no need for an external media player, which means fewer cables, lower installation costs, and easier maintenance.
- Stay future-ready – Exempt displays are less affected by sudden price hikes, making budgeting and scaling more predictable (at least in the short term).
- Remote management built-in – Platforms like Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, and Sony BRAVIA Pro support remote diagnostics, content updates, and energy-efficient operation out of the box.
- Lower total cost of ownership – Fewer components to fail, less energy use, and longer product life add up to significant savings over time.
Just keep in mind: not all SoC displays are tariff-exempt, and not every use case suits their built-in limitations. Still, for many digital signage networks, choosing the right SoC display can be a smart workaround in uncertain trade times.
✅ 3. Opt for Cloud-Based and Hardware-Agnostic Solutions
In times of trade uncertainty and rising tariffs, cloud-based, hardware-agnostic digital signage solutions offer a smart and flexible path forward. These platforms help businesses stay agile, cost-effective, and future-ready without being tied to specific hardware or vendors. Here’s why they make sense now more than ever:
- Freedom to choose – Avoid hardware lock-in and switch to tariff-free or locally sourced devices without disrupting your signage network.
- Lower total cost of ownership – Cut down on energy use, maintenance, and IT support by reducing reliance on on-premises servers and proprietary players.
- Easy scalability – Whether you’re adding 5 screens or 500, cloud platforms let you scale quickly without heavy hardware investments.
- Remote management – Monitor, update, and troubleshoot devices from anywhere, minimizing downtime and costly service calls.
- Mixed-device compatibility – Run your signage on everything from SoC displays to tablets, all through the same centralized CMS.
In short, going cloud-based and hardware-agnostic gives you the flexibility to adapt, the tools to manage smarter, and the power to keep delivering value—no matter what global trade throws your way.
✅ 4. Explore Leasing or HaaS Models
Hardware as a Service (HaaS) is another smart option. Instead of making large upfront purchases, HaaS allows you to lease hardware as part of a bundled service—bringing flexibility, cost control, and peace of mind. Here’s why it’s worth considering:
- Predictable monthly costs – Avoid big capital expenses and spread out payments over time, making budgeting easier and more stable.
- Avoid tariff-driven price spikes – Leasing shields you from sudden hardware cost increases due to tariffs or supply chain disruptions.
- Automatic upgrades and replacements – Stay up to date with the latest tech without worrying about obsolescence or hardware failures.
- Bundled support and maintenance – Many HaaS programs include service, troubleshooting, and warranties—reducing IT burden and downtime.
- Faster deployment – With everything pre-configured and supported, it’s easier to scale your signage network without the usual delays or setup challenges.
By shifting hardware from a capital expenditure (CapEx) to an operating expense (OpEx), HaaS helps you stay competitive, agile, and future-ready without breaking the budget.
✅ 5. Go Modular, Not Monolithic
Shifting to modular digital signage solutions is another smart move. Modular systems are built with flexibility in mind, allowing you to mix, match, and upgrade components without replacing entire setups. Here’s why this approach is gaining traction:
- Upgrade only what you need – Instead of replacing a full media player or screen, swap out individual parts like compute modules, mounts, or peripherals.
- Cost control – Pay only for what you need now, and expand later as your budget or signage strategy grows.
- Easy maintenance – Troubleshoot or replace failed components without taking down the entire system—reducing downtime and service costs.
- Better inventory flexibility – Modular parts are easier to stock and ship, giving you more options to avoid tariffed or backordered items.
- Future-ready design – As content demands change (e.g., 4K, interactivity, sensor integration), you can upgrade specific modules without a full system overhaul.
In short, modular signage gives you control over cost, customization, and continuity—ideal for businesses that want to stay nimble while delivering high-impact visual experiences.
Maximize Your Digital Signage Hardware Investment Amid Uncertainty
From adopting cloud-based, hardware-agnostic platforms to exploring Hardware as a Service (HaaS) or shifting to modular solutions, there are smart, scalable ways to stay agile and cost-effective. These approaches help reduce upfront costs, extend device lifespans, and ensure flexibility in both hardware and software decisions.
Beyond the big moves, smaller steps can also make a meaningful impact: recycle and reuse old media players, replace aging cables, and ask your vendor about legacy or extended support options. All of these can help stretch your investment and keep your signage network running strong while keeping costs in line.
