Smartphone sales over the next few years will be driven by emerging applications a new study finds, with different world regions seeking different mobile functionality, according to a new survey.

The survey released on Tuesday by market research firm IDC shows that interest in WiFi access and location-based services are highest in the U.S. and U.K., while storage capacity, music quality, and photo quality are the highest in Germany, India, and China.

The mobile device today is increasingly becoming a multi-talented productivity and entertainment tool, and next-generation networks, services, and device technologies will only amplify that perception, said Randy Giusto, group vice president for IDC's Mobility, Computing and Consumer Markets research.

Monthly average revenue per user on smartphones was up in all regions except for Germany, according to IDC. The firm said that higher satisfaction among smartphone users compared with traditional mobile phone subscribers led to heavier device use and greater spending.

Germany India United kingdom China