This is more like it! BenQ-Siemens have announced the new BenQ-Siemens E91, a higher-range model than the E81 and E71 (oh, that's how BenQ-Siemens's numbering scheme works) also announced today. The E91 comes with a plethora of goodies, such as a 3.2 megapixel camera, 3G connectivity, two screens (the main one being a 2-inch QVGA screen with 16.7 million colours), MP3 player, FM radio, and, er, a designer shell!

The shell, which you can see in the picture above, is actually a smart idea, as it combines the phone's charger with a set of speakers, synchronizes your phone with your PC, and has a ring of lights for extra effects. Sort of like a mobile disco in a shell!

BenQ-Siemens are so proud of the E91, they wheeled out designer Karim Rashid for a quote, who happily said: "I need this little perfect utopic sacred object." Don't we all?!

More details and BenQ-Siemens E91 pics after the jump.


The BenQ-Siemens E91 is a slider phone, but one other interesting feature is its external keys. You can't see them, as they're completely hidden when not used (see pic above). They only light up when slight pressure is applied to the surface. This seems to be one good looking phone with many innovative and stylish features.

From the press release:

At first sight, the BenQ-Siemens SL91 reveals only one thing: its impeccably beautiful design. The shiny, deep black surface of the mobile and the design shell is evocative of impeccably cut glass.

Only when touched does the extravagant slider reveal its functionality. The mysteriously opaque, smooth surface hides innovative Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) technology. The surface reacts to slight pressure and reveals navigation keys, and a discreet acoustic signal tells you when an action has been initiated.

Thanks to FSR, the BenQ-Siemens SL91 can even be used with gloves, and unintended operation is prevented. Its harmonious, round form makes the BenQ-Siemens SL91 an extraordinary sensory experience – as if you were holding a precious stone in your hand.
“If I have only one phone in my life it would be the BenQ-Siemens SL91. Forget the home phone, forget the cordless, forget the laptop phone, forget the office phone! I need this little perfect utopic sacred object. The SL91 speaks of its sophistication of the most prescient technology but at the same time seems so peaceful, friendly, soft, engaging, as a beautiful extension of my hand. It looks and feels great, feels sexy, feels smart,” stated Karim Rashid, the internationally renowned designer who had the chance of an exclusive personal sneak preview.

Placed in its design shell the SL91 becomes a precious and extravagant design object for the living room or the office.

The elegant shell functions as a charger and also synchronizes the mobile with your PC.

Exceptional light effects make this installation a real eye-catcher: A ring of light illuminates the shell in regular light impulses if an sms is received or a call missed while the phone is in the shell.

With the mobile, the shell is not only exceptionally stylish; it also doubles as a mobile hi-fi system and a hands-free solution for calls and video conferences.

Pictures and video sequences can be taken in excellent quality thanks to the integrated 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus.

In low light conditions, a night mode ensures good quality. For video telephony via UMTS, the BenQ-Siemens SL91 is equipped with a second VGA camera at the front of the phone.

It is protected by the smooth and precise pro-slide mechanism. The large, 2-inch QVGA display offers brilliant visual quality with 16.7 million colors and renders display content in all detail and authentic color.

Thanks to an MP3 player and a stereo RDS FM radio, the BenQ-Siemens SL91 is a top class mobile in the acoustic segment as well. Music and data can be transferred from a PC via USB cable or can be downloaded onto the mobile via fast UMTS data transfer or streaming.

Interchangeable Micro-SD cards provide maximum flexibility and storage space. For music lovers a stereo headset (bundled) which echoes the extraordinary design of the SL91 guarantees high-quality music pleasure.

With the mysterious appearance of the BenQ-Siemens SL91 design composition, BenQ Mobile is putting another premium product on the market that combines design innovations with state-of-the-art multimedia technology and is thus turning mobile communication into an experience for the senses. The SL91 will be available in Europe from the fourth quarter of 2006. Prices will be determined locally.