Stereo mini speakers

	Model MC-201 from iLike is a mini tripod speaker suitable for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola mobile phones.

Makers introduce products with touch displays and high-resolution cameras. Portable speakers are popular accessories.

Hong Kong and China suppliers turned up with their latest dual-SIM, touchscreen, dual-standby and entry-level mobile phones and mini speakers at the recent Mobile Phones and Accessories Private Sourcing Event or PSE held in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

The PSE was one of about 100 events scheduled by Global Sources for 2009. Some of the participating buyers were KESA Electricals, Intelbras and Creata.

A PSE allows prescreened suppliers to transact business with major volume buyers in private, closed-door meetings. More than 20 companies with a combined annual sales of $980 billion are scheduled to send their purchasing representatives to the various PSEs scheduled throughout the year.

Dual-SIM, dual-standby models stood out among the new mobile phones at the sourcing event. The technology is made possible by embedding an additional CPU in the handset, allowing the user to receive calls on both numbers instead of only the active SIM. The extra processor puts an additional $20 to $25 to the unit price.

Sheng Long Xing Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd has finished development on a selection of dual-SIM, dual-standby mobile phones. The bar-type M1 includes a 2.4in QVGA display, a 300,000-pixel camera, a microSD slot, a media player, an FM radio and Bluetooth.

Its model V5 is a flip-type dual-SIM, dual-standby unit with a 2.4in LCD and Bluetooth. The unit has a 300,000-pixel camera, an external card slot and a media player.

Sheng Long Xing has been manufacturing mobile phones since 2005. In China, its phones are recognized under the Sunlight brand. The company’s catalog includes models with touchscreens, ultrathin designs, and music playback and mobile TV capability.

The A242 from Shenzhen Pulid Communication Co. Ltd is also a dual-SIM, dual-CPU phone. The GSM/GPRS handset has a 2.6in touchscreen TFT, 1.3MP digital camera, 1000mAh battery, dual Bluetooth and stereo speakers.

Shenzhen Pulid’s products include smartphones, TV phones, GPS phones and entry-level GSM phones. The company develops most of its main boards in-house.

	Mastone's N270 dual-SIM, dual-standby GSM mobilephone has a 2MP digital camera.

The majority of the latest midrange and high-end mobile phones presented at the PSE have touch displays. Some of the top-of-the-line models come in a sliding form factor.

Mastone Communication & Electrical Development Co. Ltd’s sliding N270 dual-SIM, dual-standby GSM mobile phone has a 2.2in 65,000-color touchscreen TFT, media player, microSD slot and Bluetooth.

“Unlike many phones that have low-resolution cameras, the N270 has a real 2MP CMOS camera,” export manager Chen Hao said. The product has no built-in FM radio but is bundled with an earphone that integrates an FM radio tuner.

Mastone has more than 50 mobile phone models developed at its R&D center in Shenzhen and manufactured at its plant in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province.

Other suppliers have been stepping up the integration of cameras in their units.

Shenzhen Pulid’s A39 dual-SIM, dual-camera mobile phone has a 5MP camera with automatic and manual focus, 3x optical zoom and 8x digital zoom. The triband handset supports continuous shot, flash lamp, and flexible shooting modes and video recording.

The model has a 2.6in touchscreen TFT with a 260,000-pixel resolution, Bluetooth and a media player. It is powered by a 1800mAh battery.

Makers have launched GSM+CDMA mobile phones, which are suitable for travelers.

The B-B800 from Shenzhen B&B Technology Co. Ltd is a dual-SIM GSM 900/1800MHz and CDMA 800MHz GPRS class 12 mobile phone. It has a 2.4in color touchscreen TFT, 300,000-pixel digital camera, microSD slot, dual speakers, and media player with voice and video recorder.

B&B’s main markets are Southeast Asia, Mexico, Brazil and Russia. Its mobile phones in China are marketed under the Widetel brand.

B&B also offers smartphones with GPS and has recently released a line of netbooks.

Shenzhen Zhongkenuo Digital Technology Co. Ltd’s KN-A75D+ is a GSM+CDMA dual-SIM mobile phone with two cameras. The WAP/GPRS handset comes with a 2.4in 65,000-color LCD, Bluetooth, microSD slot and media player. The product is powered by a 1600mAh Lion battery.

“Quadband phones is our main focus,” stated George Gong, general manager of Shenzhen Zhongkenuo.

Shenzhen Zhongkenuo also manufactures other A/V devices. Its Kenuo brand has been conferred a China Top Award and Guangdong Province Famous Brand.

The company renders OEM and ODM services to major brands in Europe, North, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Aside from business and general users, some suppliers have created mobile phones with features that cater to special groups.

Shenzhen Zhongkenuo’s EP bar-type, low-cost GSM phone is targeted at the elderly and vision impaired. The model has large numeric keys and displays oversized fonts on its monochrome screen. It includes an SOS button at the back of the handset. When pressed, the phone sends an emergency SMS to 10 preset numbers. An FM radio, handsfree and shortcut dialing are also supported.

Other special-application mobile phones that Zhongkenuo plans to release are intended for children and pregnant women. “Our strategy is to continuously develop new products while simultaneously exploring niche markets,” Gong said.

Mastone has added feminine designs to its mobile phone lineup. The M9 Butterfly is a dual-SIM, dual-standby mobile phone with floral prints and light hues of pink, blue or purple along the trim. The model has a 2.4in 260,000-color touchscreen TFT, 300,000-pixel camera and media player. It has Bluetooth and an FM radio.

For durability and added elegance, some companies have developed mobile phones with a stainless steel housing.

The superslim A45 dual-SIM, dual-standby triband phone from Shenzhen Pulid is 12.5mm thick. It comes with a 2.6in high-definition touchscreen, Bluetooth, digital camera, 1000mAh battery and music-synchronized flashing color LEDs. Sales manager Julia Lee claims the model is the company’s best-seller.

Another function finding its way into the latest releases is the accelerometer. B&B’s BL906 triband, dual-SIM handset senses motion and adjusts the display accordingly.

3G mobile phone development is currently not at the top of most suppliers’ R&D priorities. Only a few makers plan to release 2009 models that support it. B&B expects its new handset to become available by August this year.

Sheng Long Xing is looking to release CDMA phones this year and 3G versions by late 2009 or early 2010.

Some suppliers offer 2.5G models with video-chat capability. Mastone’s N68 dual-SIM, dual-standby GSM unit has two 300,000-pixel cameras, a 2.4in 260,000-color touchscreen TFT, Bluetooth, a media player and an FM radio. The mobile phone has Java support and is compatible with the imiChat software.

Not all suppliers at the PSE showcased full-featured mobile phones. Guangzhou Nocoo Electronics Co. Ltd offered buyers a range of entry-level, dual and triband GSM phones. The company supplies $17 to $20 mobile phones in large volumes, according to foreign trade manager Ken Zhang. Guangzhou Nocoo’s main export markets are Africa, South America and the Middle East.

One of the company’s best-selling models is the E51, which comes with a 1.5in color or b/w LCD. The GSM phone has media-player functions, games, a 650mAh battery, and optional FM radio and camera. Different languages are supported.

Although its focus is on the low-end market, Guangzhou Nocoo adds innovative features to some of its models. Its A802 dual-SIM triband GSM phone has two LEDs on top that serve as a flashlight. The company can also integrate a counterfeit-money detector into its handsets.

Mini speakers were the sought-after mobile phone accessories during the PSE. One of Best Talent Industrial Ltd’s new models is a thumb-sized system that is suitable for the gifts market.

Best Talent has also released a mini speaker for the 2G iPhone that is fully adjustable to allow the docked device to be viewed from any angle. The model provides a high-fidelity surround sound with a 2x2W, 4ohm output. The company is an OEM supplier of earphones, microphones, portable speakers and mobile phone accessories. It exports mainly to North America and Europe.

Hong Kong-based iLike Electronics Co. Ltd’s MC-201 mini tripod speaker is suitable for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola mobile phones, MP3 players and other audio devices. The model has a 2x4W output, 4ohm impedance and greater than 75dB S/N ratio.

The tube-shaped PC-212 with belt clip, also from iLike, has a 2x100mW rms output, 4ohm impedance, greater than 102dB S/N ratio and a 3.5mm L-type plug.