B&O Serenata

04 DEC 2007 The first collaboration between Danish hi-fi gurus Bang & Olufsen and Samsung resulted in the Serene. It was a uniquely designed handset, but lacked features and was an ergonomic disaster.

Far from being perturbed, the self-styled ‘dream team’ has returned with the Serenata, an HSDPA-powered handset that still indulges B&O’s whimsical design. And this time it focuses on iPhone-rivalling music playback.

Lacks the luxury feel
First impressions are that you’re not in the presence of a £1000 piece of kit. In fact, you would feel short changed at £100. Its hard rubber and metal bodywork is expertly constructed but doesn’t scream ‘luxury’ like the Serene.

B&O has continued with its switcheroo ergonomics, positioning the display below the track-wheel. Initially it feels slightly uncomfortable but you acclimatise quickly and the handset’s curved lines means it fits the palm better than the Serene.

The Danes have also dispensed with any kind of keypad and camera, with the phone relying largely on the track-wheel and a 2.6in ‘sensi-touch’ display for navigation, making calls and sending texts. Tap the screen and a virtual circular keypad appears, letting you use the aluminium track wheel to select the numbers like an old Bakelite telephone. Similarly, writing SMS involves skating around a ring of letters. Both prove exasperating and longwinded.

However, the moving track-wheel is quite possibly the smoothest ever to grace a mobile phone. Sizeable with a nice thumb grip, this wheel is a slick mover and highly receptive to speed change. It also doubles as five-way mechanised navigation pad.