When it comes to modern features most of the big boys are pretty capable all-rounders in the mobile market, but some do seem to specialise slightly more in certain areas. Nokia introduced us to mobile GPS with its impressive N95, and certainly seems to be consolodating its position following improvements to the Nokia Maps application that accompanies GPS-enabled mobiles. Sony Ericsson have traditionally been the audiophile’s brand of choice, and Samsung arguably has an edge over the competition in the digital camera stakes.

We’ve been stuck at the 5MP level for a while now, and there’s an impressive selection of mobiles at the high-end range that can now offer this sort of quality, but it looks as though it’ll be Samsung again that takes things to the next level. Eight megapixels is the next logical progression, which will be made possible thanks to development of the world’s thinnest 8MP cameraphone module, at just 8.5mm thick. Even more impressive is that it’ll also include face detection, anti-shake and a 1cm macro facility.

Expect it to be integrated into new phones slated for release in the second half of this year, a move that’ll undoubtedly be followed soon after by similarly powerful CCDs from competitors.