The launch of Sony Ericsson's highly anticipated Xperia PLAY device could lead to a surge in mobile phone recycling, as more people look to snap up the gadget.
However, it has been claimed that the new gaming phone is unlikely to usurp Apple's iPhone in the popularity stakes.
This is the view of Vertical Slice director Graham McAllister, who believes that the iPhone and the App Store were bigger "game changers" than the Sony handset will be.
It had been argued by Gamespot UK editor Guy Cocker that the Xperia PLAY was being launched in direct competition with the iPhone, but Mr McAllister feels the Sony gadget may attract a different type of mobile phone user.
Mr McAllister believes the phone may appeal to "hardcore gamers" who regularly use Playstation consoles, but may not be as popular among more casual gamers.
"I think casual gamers may be put off from buying this device, one particular barrier being the number of controls," he claimed.
"Hardcore games have been on other mobile platforms for a while now; the key change here is the range of physical controls and how games can make use of them."
Sony Ericsson launched the Xperia PLAY at the Barcelona World Congress last week and is scheduled to be available in March.
The game will be compatible with the Playstation 3 and will feature a joy pad-style handset similar to that used with the console, as well as a touch screen.
Although it appears the new gadget may appeal to a more niche market than had previously been anticipated, Mr McAllister indicated that it could still "act as a bridge" between mobile phones and game consoles.
"In this sense, it could have a result similar to the iPhone's 'halo effect', where consumers first bought an iPhone then bought a Mac," he added.