Mobile phones which incorporate a camera are among the new generation of devices set to invigorate the worldwide telecoms market. According to Strategy Analytics, sales are expected to exceed 16 million in 2002 and surge to 147 million by 2007.
In the short term, prohibitive pricing and large form factors will preclude high take-up in the western world. Japan and Korea will account for nearly 90% of all sales in 2002, although embedded-camera PDAs will help to bridge the gap elsewhere.
By 2004, camera phones will outsell digital still cameras worldwide and provide a much needed boost to the flagging handset market, according to Neil Mawston, senior analyst of Strategy Analytics Global Wireless Practice.
“Camera phones will be an essential tool in driving handset replacement rates in the next five years, especially in sluggish markets such as Western Europe,” he said.
