Yes, unless they last a lot longer, one would hope. Also they have 18 gauge wire vs smaller on most strings. I have not found out if they are UV protected, would like to know that too.
Also if you think $1.00 a bulb is tough, the pricing I have found on the Minleon bulbs is at $2.00 a bulb for 22 gauge wire, but you can apparently drive a car over them (seen the video) and they are uv stabilized and been tested for a couple of years in full sun with no visible effect. So in the long run, which becomes a better investment is a toughy.