High Definition Capabilities on Mobile Phones are Becoming More Important to Consumers

LONDON, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- With high definition now standard on most new video viewing devices as well as internet platforms, having the same HD capabilities on recording equipment is becoming essential and, in particular, is becoming increasingly important to media phone users so they can create videos of the highest quality.  

HD laptops, computers and televisions are no longer being manufactured for a niche market and with YouTube's move towards supporting HD, watching videos of a much higher resolution is now a mainstream practice. Corresponding with the shift of viewing methods to HD, the use of mobile phones for recording videos has increased dramatically over the past year. A survey from Pew Internet found that 34% of mobile phone consumers now use their handsets for recording videos, compared to just 19% in the same survey undertaken in 2009.

In the results from a new question for 2010, 20% of people said they used their phone to watch videos. Whilst this percentage cannot be compared to the previous year's usage, it illustrates a probable upward trend because the question was not deemed important enough to ask in 2009. Other findings show that 76% of people use the camera on their phones for taking still shots, which is a 4% more popular function that MMS text messages. Many mobile users no longer want their handsets for just telephoning and texting, they are looking for multi-purpose devices that meet all their social networking and media needs and an increasing number of people specifically aim to own a HD video phone.

Ben Padley, Sony Ericsson's Head of Digital and CRM, commented: "A touchscreen phone with high definition capabilities, such as the Sony Ericsson Vivaz or Vivaz pro, not only has elevated status in terms of it employing the latest technologies but it also has added appeal for all the right practical reasons. Year on year more people are using their handsets to view and create videos. Platforms like YouTube are hugely popular with videos recorded on mobiles, with twenty-four hours of film being uploaded every single minute.

"Alongside the continued boom of consumers purchasing HD ready viewing devices, like laptops and televisions, it is becoming increasingly important to phone users for all the technology they use to have synchronised functionality."  

For more information about Sony Ericsson and its range of handsets and accessories, please visit SonyEricsson.com.  

SOURCE Sony Ericsson