Today's launch of the K608 3G UMTS mobile phone widens Sony Ericsson's portfolio of 3G handsets, giving mass appeal to 3G and the vast range of services and applications it offers. This latest in the K600 family of 3G phones supports all the major operators' 3G services, including video conferencing and fast downloads of music, games, videos and other multimedia content.

The K608 is a sleek, durable device that weighs the same as existing 2G phones, putting an end to the age of bulky 3G handsets. International 3G operator 3 (Hutchison 3G) has been confirmed as one of the first customers for the K608.

The K608 has sleek good looks and an aluminium feel and is easy to use and navigate around. Sony Ericsson’s latest intuitive dual front camera/phone design makes the handset vertical when it’s a phone, and horizontal when it’s a camera, and the fully featured 1.3 MegaPixel camera includes an active lens cover for swift activation and extra protection. For consumers getting used to the gripping idea of video telephony, handling video calls is done in just a few clicks with the use of the direct video telephony button. The world of applications the phone delivers, from exciting mobile content to video calling and personal creativity, are always crisp and clear with the large - 1.8 inch – 262.000 colour TFT screen

The K608 is fully featured with a suite of business applications that handle personal information management and PC-synchronisation via USB or Bluetooth™, making it the ideal executive work tool, providing business efficiency with high speed access.

As more content is delivered at faster delivery rates on the 3G UMTS network, the K608 effortlessly handles the latest 3D games and colour animations. To give consumers a taste of the level of quality entertainment delivered, Vijay Singh Pro Golf 2005 in 3D from Gameloft* is preloaded in the phone. In the true to life golf game, players take on the role of a famous golfer, and play on the most spectacular 18-hole golf courses around the world. Further levels of this game and a host of others are available for download from operator portals or Sony Ericsson’s Fun & Downloads portal directly to the 32MB memory on the phone.

High quality audio coupled with an FM radio and the ability to import full track music downloads direct to the phone make the K600 a quality music player and ideal companion for travelling, the gym or simply relaxing. For consumers keen to exercise their creative muscle, a host of personal creativity tools allows them to personalise ringtones, wallpapers, still shots and video footage in new, inspiring ways.

The K608 will be commercially available in Q3 2005

K608i Dual mode UMTS-GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900.