With so many mobile handsets on the market nowadays, choosing between them can be difficult. But if you’re looking for a business phone, your options are slightly more limited. As opposed to personal phones, business phones are less loaded with media features, and more about connectivity. The best mobile phones for business usually come at premium prices, but the functionality that you get makes the cost worth it. If you’re looking for the best phone for business, then today we’re giving you a list of some of the features that you should be looking for.
The Best Mobile Phones are Practical…
Something to keep uppermost in your mind whilst choosing is that the phone above all else needs to be practical. How practical it is really depends on what kind of business you’re in. Building workers or architects who are often on building sites have different needs from office workers. If your job often takes you outside, or to places like construction sites, you’re going to want to consider either flip phones with their protected screens or specialist rugged phones that are designed to withstand shocks, drops and even water. Even the normal businessman needs to keep some practicalities in mind, such as the size and weight of something that needs to be kept in a shirt pocket. Whatever you choose, it needs to be practical, not just good looking.
Good Connectivity…
Since this is your business phone, you’ll need to be constantly connected so that you don’t miss important calls, emails or messages. That means have a good range of connection options. Minimum you’re looking for WiFi and 3G capability. More top of the line phones now offer 4G, which gives better internet speeds and therefore efficiency. However, 4G services are not available in all areas or through all mobile service operators, so it’s important that you check whether you receive 4G services in your location. Additionally, you’ll probably need Bluetooth as well, to be able to connect to a headset or a hands free set whilst driving. Most phones nowadays have Bluetooth, but look for something that runs at least Bluetooth 2.0 to get the speeds that you’ll need. The best mobile phones for business will have all of these options.
To Keyboard or Not to Keyboard…
Traditionally, good business mobiles have been equipped with physical QWERTY keyboards, we’re thinking of Blackberrys and the Nokia business series. A physical keyboard makes typing long emails and memos a lot easier. However, as smart phones are trending towards bigger touch screens, physical keyboards are disappearing as a feature. And the truth is that on the top of the line five inch screens that we’re seeing nowadays, on screen typing is a lot more comfortable than it used to be. If you want the keyboard though, both Blackberry and Nokia still offer devices with a physical keyboard.
Good GPS…
Decent GPS services can be vital for security, as we’ll discuss below. But it’s also a useful feature for business people on the move. GPS will allow you to use map and navigation apps, and therefore let you know where you are at any given time, and direct you to that out of town meeting. This also means that you can ditch the expensive car satellite navigation system, since everything you need will be in your phone.
Good Security…
A business phone needs good security, to protect both the information you have stored inside it and your reputation should someone else find your phone and use it for messaging or calling. There are a few security features that you will want to look for. Firstly, choose a hand set that has pattern recognition. This will allow you to set a pattern to use to unlock your phone. Pattern locks are much more difficult to break than traditional code locks. Secondly, look for a hand set that allows remote data wiping. This means that should your phone be stolen you can access a program from your computer that will erase all the data on your phone remotely, meaning that no one will get their hands on your information. Finally, you’ll also want to look for handsets that feature Phone Location services. A lot of top end phones feature in built programmes that use the phone’s GPS to pin point the location of the device. Should you lose your phone, you simply go online and access the program, and you’ll get a map showing you exactly where your phone is. This can be useful if your phone gets stolen, but it’s more useful for letting you know that you left your phone in the office.
Organisation and Scheduling…
Also, look for a phone that has good scheduling apps. The iPhone in particular has excellent scheduling functions, letting you use a calendar with alarms, location based reminders and even letting you know about scheduling conflicts. You need more than just a calendar setting, so make sure that you get a phone that can handle your scheduling needs.
Emailing…
Most business communication nowadays is done through email, so a good email server is a necessity. The majority of phones use push services to get email from a server to your phone, meaning you get instant notification of new mail. Look for a decent mail programme that’s easy and fast to use. Some phones have mail applications with complicated procedures for attachments and the like, which just aren’t convenient or efficient.
The Best Business Phones…
In terms of brand, probably the best business phones on the market nowadays are made by a very select group of manufacturers. Apple’s iPhones makes a good business choice, as do any of the high end HTC models. The Samsung Galaxy S series may be designed more as personal phones, but they double nicely as business phones too. In terms of Windows phones, the Nokia Lumia series, particularly the Lumia 920 is a great option. And Blackberry do still make a nice business phone too, whether you choose the physical keyboard or the full touch screen new Z10 model.
About the Author: When Sam Jones was looking for the best mobile phones for his daughters he found a really helpful price comparison site.
