Overview
IEC TR 63447-1:2023 - "Form factor of smart mobile devices - Part 1: Impact on multimedia services" (IEC, Edition 1.0 2023‑12) is an informative Technical Report that surveys how different smart mobile device (SMD) form factors affect multimedia services and user experience. It introduces form‑factor trends (slate, foldable, rollable, deformable, slidable), usage trends and multimedia consumption statistics, and explains how physical design choices influence cameras, displays, touch interaction and waterproofing. This TR is descriptive (no normative requirements) and is intended to inform designers, manufacturers and standards developers.
Key topics covered
- Form factor definitions and history - evolution from early PDAs to modern smartphones and emerging foldable/rollable devices.
- Impact on multimedia services - how device shape and layout affect audio/video consumption, streaming, gaming and social apps.
- Camera considerations - placement, lens protrusion, front/rear camera structures and their effect on imaging use cases.
- Display topics
- display size and display area (DA) trends and implications for multimedia UX;
- various screen geometries (notch, punch‑hole, dual punch‑hole, deformable panels);
- foldable and rollable display types and usage examples.
- Touchscreen interaction - finger vs. pen input, pen classifications and implications for content creation and navigation.
- Waterproofness - physical protection measures that affect multimedia use in different environments.
- Usage trends & statistics - device usage splits for audio, video, games and social apps, illustrated with figures.
- Scope limits - explicitly excludes SMD internal performance metrics, component hardware technologies (battery, antenna, processors, sensors), operating system characteristics, radio/telecom generation specifics and wearable devices (smartwatches, AR/VR).
Note: the TR contains no normative references and is positioned as guidance and analysis rather than prescriptive requirements.
Practical applications - who uses this TR
- Product design and industrial designers - to balance ergonomics, display area and camera placement for multimedia use cases.
- UX/UI and multimedia application developers - to optimize layouts and adaptive interfaces across varied form factors (foldable, rollable, etc.).
- Standards committees and IEC TC 100 - to identify potential new work items and harmonize terminology and test considerations.
- Procurement, regulatory and test labs - to inform evaluation criteria related to user experience and device usability (non‑normative).
- Mobile service providers and OTT developers - to understand device trends that affect content delivery and UX design.
Related standards (if applicable)
- Part of the IEC 63447 series (Form factor of smart mobile devices).
- Complementary guidance may be available from other IEC TC 100 publications addressing audio, video and multimedia systems.
Keywords: IEC TR 63447-1:2023, form factor, smart mobile devices, SMD, multimedia services, display, camera, touchscreen, foldable, rollable, IEC, TC 100.