ABI Research: Japanese and South Korean Mobile Handsets Leading the World in Mobile TV, Digital Imaging, and Display Innovation

According to a new study by ABI Research, Japan and South Korea remain the major sources of innovation in mobile handset development and design. The research company says that camera- and mobile TV-enabled phones are expected to drive new growth momentum over the next few years in both countries' handset markets.

In 2006, approximately 75% of all handsets in Japan and 52% in South Korea include cameras. "Two megapixel camera phones with autofocus and zoom functions have started to outpace 1.3 megapixel models in Japan and South Korea," says company's senior analyst Andy Bae. "Two and three megapixel phones will be mainstream by 2008. Five (and greater) megapixel models will dominate after 2010."

"Japan and South Korea have launched HSDPA and CDMA 1xEV-DO Rev. A services this year," Bae says. "This technologically advanced environment has spurred mobile vendors to develop premium and high-end handsets to support video call and music track download services."In Japan, the most popular new services are "Chaku Uta" music downloads to mobile handsets. HSPDA services, with their broadband data rates, provide customers with very satisfactory music download experiences. Accordingly, Japanese vendors have continuously expanded music phones lines with Bluetooth headphones, shuttle controls keys, and key pads.

Common to both countries is the popularity of mobile TV-enabled handsets. In South Korea, vendors are focusing on development and marketing of T-DMB versus S-DMB phones, due to T-DMB's brighter future prospects.

Displays are evolving as well. Japanese and South Korean manufacturers will incorporate cutting-edge display innovations such as 16:9 ratios, 2.5-inch AM OLED displays using system-on-panel, and LTPS TFT, the efficiency of which can decrease the number of circuits and components, and therefore, power consumption.

While ABI's study backs the fundamental idea behind this blog, I just couldn't resist ranting a little bit about some statements regarding mobile services in Japan. I don't know much about South Korea, but as for Japan, the adoption level of mobile TV is still far from being called a success. On another point, 'Chaku Uta' can hardly be called a new service. Even the 'Chaku Uta Full' service, which enables OTA full-song downloads, was introduced last year. Video calling didn't take up in Japan due to network limitations and high costs of service and it's too early to say if HSDPA or rev. A deployments will change users' behavior. Japan is surprisingly lags behind other countries, including USA, in using Bluetooth for hands-free calling or music listening. The problem with the handset innovation is that users tend to use only two or three handset core features while the rest of the pack is caught in limbo. However, it doesn't apply to physical design innovation such as display resolution, which is always welcomed by users.

Source: ABI Research press release