Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson said it is betting heavily on camera phones in the United States this year, hoping high-end photography will convince consumers to buy a new phone or replace digital cameras. 
The Swedish-Japanese company plans to launch its C905a 8.1-megapixel camera phone, hoping the boost in picture quality and carrier promotions will help it increase sales here.
"We're going to be really focused on this device starting in the second quarter," said Jon Mulder, Sony Ericsson's Head of Product Marketing for North America. "We know that this device is going to be relevant to consumers in the second half."
Mulder estimated the device would cost $199 to $249 here after carrier subsidies, which typically tie customers into a two year contract in exchange for the discount.
The phone could work on the networks of either AT&T or T-Mobile, owned by Deutsche Telekom. While Mulder said he was confident it would be sold by at least one of the carriers, he would not say which.
Consumers might not be willing to pay the premium price for a boost in picture quality during a recession and when Apple's iPhone has already set a benchmark price of $200 for more powerful smartphones.
Sony Ericsson has also announced a 12-megapixel camera phone, Satio, which it does not plan to sell in the U.S. market this year.
Sony Ericsson was the No. 4 global handset provider in the fourth quarter with sales of about 24 million phones.
