Rechargeable battery manufacturers are eager to gain significant traction outside the existing mobile phone and notebook computer segment, as rechargeable batteries are increasingly adopted in a variety of mobile gadgets including portable music players and digital cameras.
The country's No. 1 digital camera maker Samsung Techwin now installs rechargeable batteries for all of its new products compared to some 50% last year.
The company plans to boost adoption to more than 90% of the entire product line, except old models and OEM models.
Demand from the company is estimated to be more than 3.5 million units this year, therefore.
Leading MP3 player maker Reigncom is also fast moving toward rechargeable batteries, which are now used for latest hit model 'N10'.
The company also launched 'U10' installed with rechargeable batteries earlier this year.
Samsung Electronics is using more rechargeable batteries for its portable music players, and the domestic market for rechargeable batteries for MP3 players is now expected to be at least 5 million units this year.
Seeing growing business opportunities, two major rechargeable battery makers Samsung SDI and LG Chem are keen to increase presence in the entire mobile device market.
Samsung SDI plans to unveil a slim rechargeable battery early next year.
LG Chem is concentrating more resources on rechargeable batteries used for portable music players.
The company is now in a deal with the world's largest MP3 player maker Apple to provide batteries for hit iPod music player.
It has also filed for certification for additional deals with Apple.
SKC, which unveiled a plan to spin off its rechargeable battery business unit, aims to jump into competition with a lithium polymer battery with enhanced functions, which it plans to launch in the fourth quarter of this year.