VoIP Phone Reviews

"As part of our process of testing out Konftel's OmniSound technology, we replaced the Polycom Soundstation 7000 in our main conferencing room with the Konftel 300IP for a few weeks to see if anyone in the company would notice a difference in the audio quality (voice clarity, background noise cancellation, etc) of our weekly conference calls. Nobody did; a good sign. We then tested the audio quality on both ends of a 2-way call with a Polycom deskphone, first using the Polycom conference phone, and then using the Konftel. Again, there was almost no discernible difference between the two cases."

"First of all, I want to make it very clear that even though the Invoxia NVX 610 needs to be paired with iOS devices to work, it is a phone and not just a Bluetooth docking station like the iFusion we reviewed earlier. It comes with an Invoxia application that combines SIP and Skype. If you’re using the Invoxia app, your iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) act only as the control mechanisms..."

"Recently, we had our first encounter with a communications ‘docking station’ device, the iFusion Smartstation from Altigen Communications. According to Altigen, the iFusion will help its users get rid of their ‘redundant desktop phones’ by allowing them to transform their smartphones—as long as they're using the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, or iPhone 3—into true, business-class desk phones for the office."

"The GXP 1400 / 1405 (1405 supports integrated PoE, 1400 does not) is Grandstream’s new super-affordable 2-line, 2 SIP account HD VoIP phone. It features a 128x40 graphical LCD, two LED line keys, and 3 XML-programmable, context sensitive soft keys. It also includes most, if not all of the specs you’d find on other, more expensive VoIP desk phones: a hands-free speakerphone, a headset jack, etc. Now, just how affordable are we talking about? The GXP 1405 has a list price of $65, but we were able to find it available from some online vendors for a little over $40 (wholesale pricing), making it the most affordable phone we’ve ever tested and reviewed."

"Although you can register Blink Pro with your pre-existing SIP provider, it is obvious moments into using the application that it is supposed to be used with a certain, very specific SIP infrastructure supporting it. It is almost assured that users will not be able to access all the functions of Blink Pro without an account from SIP2SIP.info, AG projects's own free SIP account service (or an account from one of their customers). That being said, certain sections of this review will be split into two sections. We will cover what you can do with your preexisting provider, and talk extensively about the features unlocked when you register with a free SIP2SIP.info account." Updated on 10/18/11.

"The Yealink SIP-T22P is a PoE enabled 3-line enterprise IP desk phone that comes with most, if not all of the features you might expect from a phone that costs twice as much: a 132x64 pixel backlit LCD display, high definition voice, HD speakerphone, RJ9 headset jack, etc. Although this phone is compact like an ‘entry’ level model, the T22P actually sits somewhere in the middle of the pack in Yealink’s lineup. The company also makes the T20 and T18, its double and single line IP phones..."

"The Yealink SIP-T28P is a PoE enabled enterprise desk phone that supports up to 6 simultaneous SIP account registrations. The phone has a 320 x 160 pixel backlit LCD, 48 keys in total including 10 programmable ‘shortcut’ keys, and support for BLF and SMS. We did some digging around to see just how affordable the T28Ps are. The list price of $189 is already very reasonable for a 6-line enterprise desk phone, but you can find it for even less ($110) on certain online retailers like Telephony Depot..."

"Having an instantly recognizable international brand sure doesn’t hurt when you’re planning on making a bigger dent in a crowded market. Consumer electronics giant Panasonic recently introduced a new line of corded desktop SIP phones for sale in the US. Today we're going to be reviewing the Panasonic KX-UT 136, the top-of-the-line model in the company's KX-UT series. This model supports up to 4 simultaneous SIP account registrations, a 242 by 109 pixel monochrome LCD, and 24 programmable feature/functionality keys..."

Blink, the open-source SIP client for Mac OSX and Windows from Netherlands-based developer AG Projects, is often referred to as an open-source alternative to Skype. This application lets SIP veterans register with their pre-existing providers and gives SIP newbies the option to quickly get started with SIP2SIP.info accounts. Blink Lite is the bare-bones VoIP only version of the unified communications tool Blink Pro.

"CSIP Simple is a free SIP client for Android, great for making and receiving calls. There currently isn’t much support for much else beyond that in its current build, but if you cannot remember the last time you used your transfer button or the last time you had to juggle 2 callers on your cell phone, then it might be just the SIP client for you..."

"Grandstream’s 3-line GXV3175 isn’t the company’s first foray into developing a ‘multimedia device’. In 2009, the company released the GXV3140 to much fanfare. The GXV3175 was pitched during its release announcement last year as the upgraded version. There are similarities between the two devices, but more than enough differences. The first thing you’ll notice off the bat is that there are no keys on the phone, except the ‘home’ button. Everything you do with the GXV3175 you do on the 7-inch touch screen color LCD. You may as well think of this phone as a tablet with a handset attached to the side..."

"Introduced back in October of last year at IT EXPO west, the GXP 2100 is Grandstream’s 4-line desktop phone. The phone has a slightly different look from the other models in the GXP series. It’s a subtle touch that succeeds in making the device seem a bit more modern than its predecessors. Like all the newly released Grandstream phones, the GXP 2100 advertises that it supports HD audio on the handset. The phone also features a back-lit 180 x 90 LCD that’s small but gets the job done, 3 XML programmable soft keys, and 7 programmable BLF extension keys and labels..."

"Enter the Polycom VVX 1500. Does it break the misconception that video calling will cost you thousands of dollars? Not really. With an ~$800 dollar price tag, this phone isn’t for everyone. The Polycom VVX 1500 combines all the highs from the enterprise phones in the Soundpoint series with one of the best touch screen LCDs we've tested on a VoIP phone and an impressive range of video interoperability opportunities. Call quality is superb and the speakerphone is a cut above the rest. With business XML applications, you can go as far as your IT department is willing to take it..."

"Groundwire for the iOS by Acrobits, a mobile software company focused primarily on SIP clients for mobile devices, is the business version of their Acrobits Softphone. Marketed as a viable replacement for your desktop phone ("Throw away your desktop phone, Groundwire is here."), this mobile VoIP application includes many of the features you would expect to find in enterprise VoIP software or SIP hardware devices..."

"Bria 3.1 is Counterpath’s next generation software phone application and successor to the much older Eyebeam. The main difference between the two is the user interface design philosophy. The Eyebeam is “dialpad-centric” while Bria is “contact-centric”. The interface is focused around your address book, which Counterpath claims will give you “more ways to make, receive, and manage your calls and IMs“. Bria offers video conferencing in H.263 and H.264 video formats, wideband G.722 support for high-definition call quality, XMPP account support, support for multiple SIP accounts, and much more..."

"Unbeknownst to many people, there are a growing number of free stand-alone VoIP clients, some of which aren’t half bad. Today I’m going to be doing an in-depth look at one of these free downloadable clients, SIP Communicator, which is described as an 'audio/video Internet phone and instant messenger that supports some of the most popular VoIP and instant messaging protocols such as SIP, Jabber, AIM/ICQ, MSN, etc..' [...] SIP communicator, which is written mostly in Java, is a free and open source VoIP, and instant messaging application for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s currently in alpha. Stable releases come out every so often while ‘nightly builds’ are released several times a day..."

"Counterpath released an iPhone version of its Bria softphone at the beginning of the summer. The company promised not long after that another version for the Android market would not be far behind, and now—5 months later—it’s finally here...Like other Counterpath solutions, the Android Bria is an “Enterprise-Grade” VoIP solution..There does not seem to be quite as many standards based VoIP applications available in the Android market as there are in the App Store. And of the VoIP apps in the Android market, even less have the basic functions a business user might need such transfer..."

"The Polycom Soundstation IP 6000 and 7000 VoIP conference phones were first introduced back in 2008 to replace the aging IP 4000 model...The IP 6000 looks almost identical to the older IP 4000 model, a phone that was released almost 10 years ago...Unlike Polycom deskphones, the IP 6000 supports only one line appearance or registration, but can handle up to 8 simultaneous calls and conference calls...Conference calls on the Soundstation IP 6000 sound nothing short of amazing..."

"One SIP client that we have kept our eye on for a while now is Media5-Fone from Media5 Corporation, a provider of “Secure, Survivable MMoIP Branch Office Solutions for Service Providers”. The company has released a series of updates to the Media5-Fone over the past couple of months, turning it from a basic calling application to a full-featured soft phone. Apple recently approved version 2.4.1.9 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and here are a few of our initial thoughts."

"First unveiled late last year at the BroadSoft Connections executive conference, the 6739i is Aastra’s most advanced enterprise class IP desk phone to date. It has drawn many comparisons to other premium solutions from top competing brands like the Polycom 670 and the Snom 870. We will eventually get to testing and reviewing all of them; the 6739i just happens to be the first one up. "

"Built only a week ago, Bria iPhone Edition version 1.0.3008, has a lot of competition in the mobile VoIP app market. There are probably no less than a dozen similar apps, each of them months ahead in terms of the number of updates and upgrades. The good news is that Counterpath included pretty much everything we wanted in their first version. While other publishers started their apps with the very basics (making and receiving calls) and added additional features slowly over the weeks and months, Counterpath crammed almost everything we could possibly want in their first version..."

"iSIP 4.4 is a completely different mobile VoIP app than the one we tested back in 2009. The look is still mostly the same (iSIP isn’t nearly as pretty as Acrobits), but a lot has changed under the hood. For one, the application now works over 3G, which is a must-have feature in our opinion. A mobile VoIP application that relies on Wi-fi is pretty pointless if you ask me. iSIP also supports call transfer and golly gee willikers, Batman!—it actually works pretty well. Other features worth noting are support for call recording, push notifications, multiple active SIP accounts and wideband audio..."

"The Acrobits Softphone is a mobile SIP application for the iPhone platform. It is one of the higher rated applications we’ve encountered in the App Store (4 out of 5 stars last time we checked), which is a good sign. We’ve been looking around for a great desk-phone-replacing mobile application for a while now; one that has all the normal calling features you’d expect from a business phone, and allows you to be reached on your mobile device when someone dials your extension. As we implied in our last mobile app review, being able to say goodbye to our desk phone (at least for a while) has always been an unfulfilled dream of ours..."

"The Gigaset S675 is a relatively affordable DECT or Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications VoIP solution from Siemens. For around $130, the package comes with the base station, a rather boring looking black box with a glowing blue button, and one S67H handset. Savvy shoppers can find additional S67H handsets for around $70 (hint: Amazon), but you’ll be happy to know that a wide range of Gigaset handsets can be registered to the S675 base station..."

"There’s lots of buzz about SIPDroid, a “SIP client for Android” which is under GNU General Public License v3. The project page says SIPDroid “Adds native SIP/VoIP to Android's dialer/contacts. Make and receive calls over Wifi, 3G, and EDGE with perfect voice quality and lowest delay”. AWESOME! Open Source, Native SIP, Wifi, 3G, Perfect Voice Quality! Sounds good, right?..."

"The Grandstream GXP 2020 Enterprise SIP phone is in the company’s GXP series of phones. The focus of this line is ‘feature rich, auto-provisionable for mass deployment, easy to use and competitively priced’. The company specializes in very affordable VoIP equipment and the GXP 2020 is no exception. At around $80, this phone is probably one of the most affordable ‘executive class’ user agents on the market..."

"Psi is a completely open source XMPP instant messaging client that uses Qt, an application development framework most notably involved in the development of applications and programs like Google Earth and Skype. Unlike Adium, which is specifically designed for the Mac OS X, Psi will also work on machines running Linux and Microsoft Windows..."

"Adium is a free multi-protocol instant messaging client for the Mac OS X. It supports an extensive list of the most popular IM networks, including AIM, Google Talk, Facebook, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Lotus Sametime, XMPP, and more. We've found that Adium is a great way to consolidate all the contacts on your multiple networks into one application..."

"The WPU 7700 seems to be the preferred end point of choice for LG’s subscribers--they are selling like hotcakes! Over 1.44 million units have been sold as of December last year and we heard that LG plans on ordering hundreds of thousands more. As you may already know, when we do reviews like this, we look at things from a business perspective...It will certainly to interesting to see if the WPU 7700, a phone that’s clearly fantastic for the consumer market, will fare just as well in a corporate environment..."

"Korean vendor Unidata focuses on two main products, the WPU 7700 wifi phone and the far more interesting SQ 3000. We’re pretty sure the SQ 3000 is one of the first mobile wifi video ‘HD’ touch-screen phones on the market. Since the majority of our readers employ VoIP for business, we will be specifically looking at how the SQ 3000 would hold up in a business environment. The Unidata SQ 3000 is about the size and weight of an IPhone..."

"The Aastra 6730i is the new entry-level addition to Aastra’s line of 67xi SIP phones, which range from the 6730i to the new 6739i executive class IP phone. Since Aastra released its own wideband audio technology, Aastra’s ‘Hi-Q’, all models in the 67xi lineup allow users to experience wideband audio via the industry standard G.722 codec..."

"The Polycom 335 looks and feels almost exactly like the 331, but there are a few differences and upgrades here and there that we will get to in this review. The most significant improvement over the 331 is obviously the new “HD voice” label on the handset..."

"The Cisco SPA504G is a midrange business desktop phone with an extensive feature list considering that you can pick one up for under $150. The phone supports 4 lines, each of which can be registered to separate SIP addresses. It also includes a high-resolution backlit LCD display, a full-duplex speakerphone, and a feature that’s particularly exciting to us—G.722 wideband audio support...."

"Polycom has long since established itself as a leader in the industry and high-end devices like the 550 show why it deserves the attention. In short, this is a good phone. In fact, it’s a very good phone. The question is whether or not this phone is right for you, and if it’s worth spending that little bit extra for the added benefits. The Polycom Soundpoint IP 550 is a 4-line SIP phone that supports wideband audio, more commonly known as HD voice (G.722 codec)..."

"We recently got our hands on the Aastra Mobility Base Unit (MBU) 400, and a few of the Aastra 420d handsets that go along with it. The MBU 400 is a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) solution designed especially for small businesses. If you or your employees ever need to be mobile while on the phone for whatever reason, then this might be what you’re looking for..."