With newer and more visually appealing devises flooding the market, style will soon play a decisive role in mobile sales, driven not just by fashion trends but also by consumers’ desires to reinforce their lifestyle choices. This is a finding of the trend analysis survey conducted by Gartner.

The report titled “Key Trends in Mobile Devices, 2008-2009″ recommends that in response to design demands, vendors would do well to have established platforms on which small changes to casings and colors can be made without impacting costs. They will also need to consider partnering with nonmobile companies and brands — such as consumer electronics, fashion or sports companies — to increase the lifestyle appeal and consumer reach of their products.