If you look at distributor single-unit quantities, they are close in cost. If you look at hobbyist stores, they are the same price (or more expensive for the se

If you look at distributor single-unit quantities, they are close in cost. If you look at hobbyist stores, they are the same price (or more expensive for the seven-segment version). If you ask a factory in China to make you 1 million displays, the seven-segment version will be a lot cheaper. That's why new products use them. Even at 1k quantity from distributors, seven-segment displays are substantially cheaper.