A new study from InfoTrends Research Group projects that worldwide unit sales of camera phones will reach nearly 150 million in 2004, or just over a quarter of all mobile phone sales. Camera phone sales are expected to experience a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 55% through 2008 to 656 million units. Rapid adoption of camera phones worldwide will generate an additional 29 billion digital images captured this year.
"Growth in the camera phone market creates new opportunities for many industry players, including handset vendors, wireless carriers, and digital photofinishers," says Jill Aldort, Senior Research Analyst of Internet Imaging Trends at InfoTrends Research Group. "More consumers are purchasing camera phones and experimenting with taking, sending, and even printing photos. Camera phones have boosted slowing worldwide mobile phone sales and photo messaging has contributed to an increase in data sent over the wireless networks. In turn, these circulating digital images have already added to the number of digital prints made."
Japan was the leading region for camera phone sales in 2003, with more than 50% market share. There will be a major shift in shipments this year as camera phone adoption increases in other areas of the world. China is already the largest mobile phone market worldwide, and its developing camera phone market will boost the Rest of World region to become the leading region for camera phone unit sales by a slight majority in 2004. By 2008, the Rest of World region is expected to have 56% share of worldwide camera phone shipments."
Posted to the site on 12th March 2004
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