Photos: The rise of the luxury mobile

Designer brands are falling over themselves to carve a niche in the mobile world - especially in the run-up to Christmas.

The latest handset from high-end audio equipment maker Bang & Olufsen is pictured here - made in partnership with Samsung.

Dubbed the Serenata, the 3.5G mobile phone offers a built-in stereo loudspeaker system which its manufacturer claims delivers 'outstanding sound quality without distortion' - so no more tinny tunes on the Tube. Music can also be enjoyed less conspicuously via the dedicated stereo earphones, or the phone can be connected up to a home hi-fi system.

The Serenata uses click-wheel navigation, has a 2.4-inch colour screen and is good for up to three hours of talk time.

It is slated to be available to buy in stores next month.

Photo credit: Bang & Olufsen/Samsung