Technology Leaders Sharp and NEC Battle Brand Leaders Nokia and Samsung

Megapixel display devices surge in 2004, as Camera Phone sales hit 170 Million, a new report by Strategy Analytics


Boston, MA & London, England- March 31, 2004 -/Wi-Fi Technology News/-Strategy Analytics, the leader in portable device market analysis, released a new report, "Megapixels Surge In 2004 Camera Phone Market," predicting a hotly contested battle as the camera phone revolution gains momentum beyond Asian hotbeds.

David Kerr, Vice President of the Global Wireless Practice, noted, "In the clearest sign yet of mobile digital convergence, NEC, Nokia, Samsung and Panasonic all outsold Sony, the world's largest digital still camera vendor in 2003. Only Sony / Sony Ericsson and Samsung, of the major traditional digital still camera vendors, are positioned to exploit massive camera phone growth through the end of the decade. Those DSC vendors without a strong cellular division or wireless partner, such as Olympus will find themselves under increasing competitive pressure in the long-term."

Report author, Neil Mawston, noted, "NEC, with a 16 percent global share, was the world's leading camera phone vendor in 2003. With more than 90 percent of its shipments including a camera module by the end of 2003, NEC has made imaging the centerpiece of its device strategy."

Other key findings from this report include: 84 million camera phones were shipped worldwide in 2003 versus 49 million digital still cameras; Asia is still the largest demand center, but Europe will represent over 25 percent of sales in 2004; Tumbling wholesale ASPs and strong retail subsidies will fuel 2004 growth; Vendors are driving camera phone adoption by adding functionality that mimics the imaging form factor and highly familiar man-machine interface that users are already highly familiar with through traditional film-based and digital still camera use; more than half of all camera phones will have 1 Megapixel plus resolution by 2006.

About Strategy Analytics
Strategy Analytics, Inc., a global research and consulting firm, provides timely insights and strategic business solutions to companies operating at the convergence of information, communications and entertainment technologies. With worldwide headquarters in Newton, MA and principal offices in England, France and Germany, Strategy Analytics focuses on market opportunities and challenges in the areas of Automotive Electronics, Broadband, Telematics, Wireless Strategies and Enabling Technologies. For more information, see http://www.strategyanalytics.com

Contacts:
David Kerr, +1 617 614 0720, dkerr@strategyanalytics.com
Chris Ambrosio, +1 617 614 0714, cambrosio@strategyanalytics.com