Worldwide mobile phone CMOS image sensor market volume arrived at approximately 1.725 billion units in 2011, among which, market volume of image sensors used for sub-camera modules reached around 425 million units, accounting for 24.6% of overall market volume, according to MIC. Worldwide mobile phone CMOS image sensor market volume is estimated at 2.089 billion units in 2012, growing 21.1%, and market volume share of image sensors used for sub-camera modules in overall market will hit 29.2%. It is forecasted that worldwide mobile phone CMOS image sensor market volume will increase by 17% in 2013, reaching around 2.44 billion units, and approximately 84.8% of mobile phones will have camera modules equipped, added the research institute.

According to MIC's analyst Nina Ko, mobile phone specifications will considerably affect video recording specifications of CMOS image sensors in the future. Owing to growing popularity of social networking and instant sharing of latest photos and statuses, consumers thus began to pay increasing attention to camera functions of mobile phones and their demand for high video quality is on the rise, too. Therefore, mobile phone vendors launch a new wave of competition as regards camera specifications. In addition to camera resolution, the importance of video recording specifications increase, and full HD (High Definition) video recording gradually becomes the basic function in high-end Smartphones.

Looking at mobile phone sales in the first quarter of 2012, since Samsung recorded strong sales performance, sales of other mobile phone vendors was eroded. As most of the CMOS image sensors adopted by Samsung's mobile phones are manufactured by the company itself, and Nokia, RIM, and HTC usually purchase CMOS image sensors from other makers; as a result, major CMOS image sensor makers witnessed excessive production capacities and rising stockpiles. It is anticipated that CMOS image sensors will experience considerable price drops, and owing to capacity expansion, related vendors will have to work on maintaining their cost advantages.

More information can be found in the following MIC report:

Outlook for the Mobile Phone CMOS Image Sensor Market and Supply Chain

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