GoPro vs. Phone Cameras

Georgia Wells and Jack Nicas, reporting for the WSJ (paywalled, alas; a referral from Google search results might let you through):

Now GoPro is trying to expand into the mainstream. But the trouble is most people already have smartphones that are nearly as small and light as GoPro’s devices and come with cameras just as good.

Last year, GoPro bungled its attempt to reach mainstream customers by setting the price too high on its first everyman camera and not resolving kinks that make it difficult to use. It is now trying again, urging other companies to integrate GoPro cameras into products from cars to baby bouncers.

The stakes are high: GoPro expects its sales this year could fall by as much as 17% after rising to $1.62 billion last year, its first decline since it started selling its flagship product in 2010. GoPro could swing to a $167 million loss this year after reporting $36 million in profit last year, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis.

Remember the Flip camcorder? That’s what’s happening to GoPro. Don’t bet against the phone, in any product category.

★ Monday, 2 May 2016