Sales of camera phones across the world are expected to touch 147 million by 2007, says a survey conducted by international research and consulting firm Strategy Analytics.
This is against sales of 16 million camera phones witnessed last year.
This, added with the increasing number of multimedia messaging services subscribers across the world including India, have forced global system for mobile handset manufacturers to be serious about launching various camera phone models.
"Since the launch of MMS during this February, every month we are witnessing a growth of 30-40 per cent in the MMS subscriber base in our circle.
The near future will witness huge growth in this segment and so will be the sales figure of camera phones," said Sanjoy Mukherji, chief operating officer of Hutch.
Hutch, one of the leading cellular operators in the country, has already launched MMS in all the circles it operates. Bharti Cellular, another key player in this market, is also aiming at launching MMS in all of its circles within a short span.
"After we have witnessed a tremendous growth in the volume of short messaging services during the last two years, it is time to welcome more and more MMS subscribers.
We are getting ready for it, increasing our servers, facilities and obviously readying for a round of price cuts in MMS services," said an official of Idea Cellular.
Ritesh Mehta, owner of Chitra Advertising in Ahmedabad, said: "I have recently bought a Nokia 3650 which has a built-in camera. I am utilising it to the fullest.
Whenever I need to send pictures of the hoardings I give on rent in Gujarat, I capture them on my camera and mail it across to my clients."
He admitted that though the handset cost him Rs 25,000, it is paying for its value.
"It is a real value for money," he added. Samsung India Electronics Ltd, which has already launched nine various models in India, has recently launched its latest V200 model which is a camera phone with a 180 degree rotating lens and equipped with MMS facilities along with GPRS.
"Samsung will be launching five new models in the next six months and our goal in India is to launch each phone with a unique feature," said Anuj Kapur, country head (telecom), marketing and infrastructure, Samsung.
Sources in the company said that SIEL is going to launch another camera phone by the end of this year. The V200 model is priced at Rs 29,999 in India.
Sources in Nokia, the leading GSM handset maker worldwide, said that after the success of its 3,650 model, the company is planning to launch another camera phone, Nokia 6600, during the last quarter of 2003 which also has a video recorder in it.
To grab the increasing number of MMS subscribers in India and other parts of the world, the company is also planning to launch another camera phone called, 'Fun Camera'.
"One can store up to 50 lower, 25 higher or about 12 photo quality pictures in the Fun Camera's memory and it is stand-alone for instant messaging," said a Nokia dealer in the city.
"I sell at least a dozen of the 3,650 model every month. This model is witnessing an increase in demand," said Gaurav Motwani, who deals in Nokia phones.
Sony Ericsson is also planning to explore the Indian market with its T610 model and a higher model of P800, which will be armed with CommuniCam, a ready-to-run camera with a 4,096 colour screen.
"I hope the fight among manufacturers will lead to heavy price cuts of camera phones and make them affordable for all," Motwani said.
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