I have one after having used all kinds of mobile phones with all kinds of gadgets. Personally I wanted something that will cause the same wow effect that causes my Beosound 9000 or my BV7 in my living room. I want to take this effect out there. And Serene is just about that. The act of answering a call in a bar is really impressive. It will catch the attention of all people. 

I don't care for a phone that does everything. I have a PDA without phone for that purpose. As per the camera, I use it only is only for emergencies, and to me it does the work very well (I have shot only 5 pictures since I got it in January). Bear in mind that the problem of a camera in a mobile phone is not only the pixels but the optics, and that will never be enough in a small phone.

 If you are looking for the wow effect, this is the phone. If you will shot pictures frequently and don't mind the feel of plastic, then look for something different. Serene is like a fine fountain pen. Is not that easy to use it but it's a personal accessory. Like a fine watch.

The phone certainly offers the wow effect and when it comes to style its great, but as others have said in terms of technology and functionality we have moved on.

I did not buy one, cost and value for money was one reason, the other was in this day and age I wanted a 3G (Third Generation) phone and the serene did not provide this.

Keith..

There were loads of debates on this issue on the old forum and also a poll. According to the poll most Beoworlders who owned Serene said they loved it, myself included.

A lot of the debates were also about what the Serene couldn't do that a run of the mill mobile can. ie download polyphonic ringtones, play MP3s send video etc.

As I stated on tuther forum, It's called Serene not Funfair!

Yes I would buy it again.

Andy T.

P.S. Don't ask Lee what he thinks of it, he's biased.😉

It is Definately not worth the money. in fact the honest B&O dealers I know think its a joke. Its interesting that most indiciduals who own one also have another back up.

I had one for 3 months before I sold it on ebay . I really cant understand why one would want one today at that kind of money.

if you want a stylish handset with superb menus look at the LG prada phone, touch sensitive, great menus ect. If you want a quality built phone then the Nokia 8800 scirroco is good( but suffers with poor battery life as does the serene.) or a super slim mobile sony 880I is only 9 mm thick. All these models make the serene look yesterdays technology and a clumsy lump imho Individuals who still maintain that serene draws attantion - compared to latest offerings afforementioned , it lags and by some margin

It's a very personal matter. People asks me why am I paying 11,000€ for a TV from B&O. Or why paying 100€ for a silk tie. I have a company-provided mobile phone that I can replace every 6 months, taking always the latest from Nokia but it's hidden at the back of my drawer. If you have a serene you will never be at the top of technology, agree, but the cold feel of the aluminium hinge is great.

Just to build on philipsmz333's point above, it isn't really the cost of the phone which is relevant, it is the total cost of owning and using the phone.

When I took out my plan (with Orange), I negotiated a £10pm reduction in my bill and £100 cash back because I did not need (or want) a handset. It is an eighteen month contract so the £280 reduction effectively makes the Serene only cost £520. Still expensive but much more palatable!

It is such an excellent phone that if you are holding back because of the cost, phone your service provider and see if you can get something similar.

Michael