InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[Mooseo1]

Camera phones soared in 2002
By: Jørgen Sundgot, Tuesday 25th February 2003, 20:31 GMT

According to the latest numbers from Strategy Analytics, more than 18 million camera phones were sold worldwide in 2002 - and the numbers are expected to double in 2003.

The latest Wireless Device Strategies report from research firm Strategy Analytics concludes that 18 million mobile phones with embedded digital cameras were sold worldwide in 2002. Of these, 13 million were sold in Japan with Vodafone-owned J-Phone topping the charts. For now, Europe and North America still find themselves playing catch-up with the Japanese wireless market.

Neil Mawston, a senior analyst with Strategy Analytics' Global Wireless Practice, noted, "9 million camera phones, 7 percent of total sales, were sold worldwide in Q4 2002, leading to a total of 18 million sold worldwide in 2002. 36 percent of camera phone sales were through a Vodafone carrier in 2002, a very impressive performance."

David Kerr, Vice President of Strategy Analytics also commented on the report, stating that Japanese vendors, such as Sharp and Toshiba, are leveraging their experience to gain a wedge into the infantile camera phone market in Europe and North America.

Other key findings from the Strategy Analytics report include Nokia accounting for 91 percent of GSM camera phone sales worldwide in 2002 with the Series 60-based Nokia 7650, which is to be succeeded by the Nokia 3650 shortly. Meanwhile, Samsung accounted for 24 percent of CDMA camera phone sales worldwide in 2002.