BOSTON-Research firm Strategy Analytics said 18 million mobile phones were sold last year with integrated digital cameras, with Nokia Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. taking the lead in the market.
The firm said 13 million camera phones were sold in Japan last year, with Vodafone’s J-Phone taking the lead. Nokia accounted for 91 percent of all GSM camera phone sales last year, while Samsung controlled 24 percent of CDMA camera phone sales.
“Japanese vendors like Sharp and Toshiba are leveraging their experience to gain a wedge into the infantile camera phone market in Europe and North America,” said David Kerr, the firm’s vice president. “Supporting carrier imaging needs gives them a differentiated entry strategy in these mature markets, which they will seek to maximize until the big three decide to enter the market in force.”
