Camera phone sales on upswing

CNET News.com writs about a recent Gartner reports that projects the sales of camera phones worldwide in 2005 will reach 295.5 million.

According to Gartner, camera phones will make up 38 percent of all mobile phones shipments, a huge increase from last year when they made up 14 percent. "In North America, camera phone sales are likely to reach 70 million units, or 47 percent of total phone sales, in 2005. In Europe this figure is 85 million, or 55 percent, of total mobile phone sales. Almost 92 percent of all phones sold in Japan have a camera."

Carolina Milanesi at Gartner said, "The trend for camera phones first took hold in Asian markets such as South Korea and Japan. "It has quickly become a global phenomenon as mobile phone users around the world have been captivated by the idea."

Gartner predicted that "By 2009, almost half of camera phones sold in Japan will have more than 3 megapixels. In other markets, 1.3 megapixels is now the minimum standard. There will be a shift towards 2-megapixel models in 2006."