There’s been a Hype lately regarding new smartphones available in the market. Nevertheless there’s also been a growing gap between technologies and the implications for consumers. If 2 years ago everything was about music and other basic multimedia features (And I’m referring to the late majority) now the new thing will be around Smartphones. 

But then… what’s supposed to be Smartphone?

Some people say it’s a more sophisticated version of a feature phone (the one you probably use..) with more options such as internet browsing, connectivity, etc.  and Oh… let’s not forget the OS. Lately everything has been between the well established, but tumbling Iphone in it’s 4th version and Android. (Of course there’s also RIM, Windows Phone and so on..) 

So what will happen..?

Among the big changes expected for next year… I think one of the most radical ones will be the massive increase in the product offer starting at very low prices compared to what we’ve been used to see. If having an Iphone or a Blackberry was only for “techie” folks, now it’ll be more commoditized and will be a more common thing  to have (Of course you’ll probably will get a ‘lighter’ version of a high end smartphone) opening new doors for consumers to have a fuller and richer mobile experience.

In simple words this means that probably we will have more choices at the moment of buying a new phone (Goodie!).

With having said that, this will probably affect the way we use and do things with smartphones. Let’s not forget that at least in the case of Chile the majority (over 60%) of the Smartphone demand is located in the premium tier, that means phones that cost over $400 USD retail price. I might be wrong assuming this, probably not many young people have that big a budget to spend in a phone.. (there are always exceptions). At least that what demographics show. So lower prices mean younger targets, thus new patterns of behavior in the use and consumption of technology. I might also be wrong but I could presume that we will see a shift from business oriented into a Leisure and entertainment centered usage. 

Just to give you an idea, most of the apps that’s being downloaded in itunes are games (no news). Added to that around 45% of the smartphone offer next year will be TOUCH. Larger screens, better graphics.. sure they won’t be to only read boring work emails and stuff.

Finally the incorporation of new technologies and obviously the continuous technological darwinism, will lead to phones that will interact with other devices. the most obvious one would be our laptops, but then there’s also TV with the Smart TV offer that’s coming and technologies like DLNA, that will make it easier for us. This equals new ‘ecosystems’ (don’t forget that word because it will probably gain relevance soon) where we will again integrate everything into the best device available.

And well there are some other stuff such as DTV, which is relatively new thing in Chile that will complete the contents and services experience.

So my conclusions…

1) The one that reaches the most simple communication for consumers to understand what in hell is a smartphone and why is it good to me.. (and making a clear value proposal associated with the product offer) will of course gain a big lead in terms of positioning in future leading smartphone category.

2) The more flexible prices and the wider mix of new products will lead to an unseen growth in the smartphone category, making it the most relevant growth driver for the mobile industry short-mid term

3) We will definitely see new trends of use and consumption of contents and services, and whoever predicts and copes with the new changes will also be the leader of the pack of a larger set of phone makers.

4) The natural incorporation of other pre-existing technologies (DTV, DNLA, BT 3.0, etc.) that will make of the smartphone the ultimate device, will also add new dimension to other appliances. This will make of our future phones something we will not be able to live without.. (scary huh?)