(Weymouth, MA) August 02, 2012…According to InfoTrends’ research on the mobile imaging market, smartphone adoption is currently exploding. The share of respondents whose primary phone was a smartphone with a camera nearly doubled year-over-year, jumping from 24% in 2011 to nearly 46% in 2012. InfoTrends’ Spotlight on Smartphones report explores the current smartphone market, considers the directions it may take in the future, and discusses the impact that smartphones are having on feature camera phones and digital still cameras.
According to InfoTrends’ survey data, over half of smartphone users are still on their first smartphone. With replacement cycles averaging every two years, some of these respondents might soon be ready for an upgrade, particularly if they bought their handsets in 2010 or earlier. Replacement smartphone purchasers will seek features above and beyond what their current handsets offer, including smoother interfaces, improved battery life, higher resolution displays, and better cameras.
To encourage replacement purchases, InfoTrends recommends that marketers take advantage of word of mouth among satisfied smartphone owners. A fair amount of smartphone users reported that a recommendation from a friend or family member influenced their handset purchasing decision. According to InfoTrends Director Ed Lee, “Consumers who are considering the purchase of a smartphone seem to place a lot of stock in others’ personal experiences and opinions, and handset vendors can use this to their advantage by offering ‘refer a friend’ programs to their existing customers. For example, customers who are approaching the end of their wireless contracts could be offered a special price on a new handset for recommending a particular brand or model to someone else.”
InfoTrends’ Spotlight on Smartphones report contains a special data analysis from its 2012 U.S. Mobile Imaging End-User Survey. This survey covers the demographics of camera phone users, outlines general camera phone specifications, and considers respondents’ mobile photography habits. It also discusses the impact that camera phones are having on digital still cameras. Industry manufacturers and vendors can leverage the insights and advice in this report to prepare for the market of the future.
Both of these reports are available for immediate purchase. For more information, please visit our online store or contact Stephanie Tose at 781-616-2103 or stephanie_tose@infotrends.com. Our full list of Spotlight reports can be viewed here.
InfoTrends, a Questex company, is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industries. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends is available on the Web at www.infotrends.com.
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