Consumers Expect Phones Biannually

Mobile phone customers have now come to expect new models to be introduced by manufacturers roughly once every six months, according to a gadgets website.

Stuff.tv explains that this means handset manufacturers can announce production on future models without the worry of current sales being impacted upon.

An example given by online multimedia editor Joe Minihane is the potential for Nokia to produce a touchscreen handset in the style of Apple's iPhone.

Should the company choose to do so, he claims that sales of the Nokia N96 are likely to remain strong as it "only came out at the end of last year".

Mr Minihane adds that the upcoming model from Nokia, the N97, would also be unlikely to be affected when it is launched in June.

This is due to the expectation among consumers that a new model will inevitably be launched within around six months of the previous version.

He also points out that Nokia remains competitive against manufacturers such as Apple, despite holding a lower share of the top end of the market.

Mr Minihane explains that Nokia has historically been a smaller player at the top end, despite making some "brilliant" devices for more demanding consumers.