Cisco 8841 vs 8851 – Saying Yes to Business IP Telephony

Which IP phone will have your back when it comes to enabling your business respond well to clients?

Does your business have what it takes to handle the sensation generated by that great product and advertisements broadcasting it? Hint, don’t look further than the phone! IP phones come with cool features that promise to enhance collaboration between workers and integration of other workplace applications, resulting in improved efficiency and productivity. This has the overall effect of keeping clients happy and cutting down operational costs. What more could you ask for, apart from the best IP phone for your business?

What are the Differences BetweenCisco 8841 and 8851?

Cisco 8841 vs 8851– How Do They Compare?

The Cisco 8800 series of IP phones is reputed to deliver easy to use, cost effective, having a full suite of voice communication features and high quality HD video. Let’s find out if this holds true for its 2 phone models, and how the 2 models perform against each other:

Physical Characteristics

Both phones under review are available in either white or charcoal in color. They can be mounted on the wall if space on the desk is a challenge. They have a 5 inch multicolored screen with a 800 X 480 pixels resolution. They also have a full duplex speakerphone and a call indication LED.

Fixed Keys

In addition to standard feature keys like directions navigation, transfer and hold, both phones under review have 5programmable line keys and 4 programmable soft keys.Programmable line and feature buttons enables the access of features, lines and call sessions. When adding features to the phone, some features require a line key. Even though each line key can only support one function i.e speed dial, line or feature, it is capable of supporting multiple line appearances that enables jumping on multiple calls using the same SIP account. These translate to the phones holding very many calls. The 8851 supports 2 additional key modules which can support up to a maximum of 72 keys.

Softkey buttons give access to services and functions. The programmable Softkey (PSK) feature enables a user to customize the displayed softkeys. This is helpful in cases where there direct lines are not available e.g. a one touch dialing that similar to a speed dial where a direct line is available. Depending on the state of the phone, the keys can be moved, added or removed. The feature can be enabled or disabled through the web.

Phone Features

The two phones under review support both personal and corporate accounts. They keep a record of 50 dialed, 50 received calls and 50 missed calls. They both have the auto answer function. This feature enables lines to automatically connect to an incoming call, upon activation of the headset.

The phones use a SIP connectivity protocol and have a PBX IP address redundancy.  They both support the Audio and Wideband codecs. Both phones have the Multilanguage feature.

Connectivity and Power

The Electronic Hook Switch offers remote desk phone answer/end control with a wireless headset system. Headsets connect to the phone either using the auxiliary or the USB port. Power over Ethernet is helps pass electric power and data, thus provides both data connection and electric power to devices like IP phones. PoEs havedifferent power levels available. Class 1 has very low power, 2 low power, 3 – medium power and 4 and above – high power. The Cisco 8841 is of class 2PoE while the 8851 is of class 3.The phones therefore do not rely on availability of power to function. Nevertheless, an AC adapter can be purchased separately if there is need for it.

Both phones under review have Gigabit ports which allows for fast call handling speeds. They both have an RJ9 wired headset ports, and support IPv6 protocol. The 8841 has no USB port while the 8851 has one. A USB port enhances storage, multimedia and certain USB headphones. It also enables users charge their mobile phones.

Though the 8841 doesn’t come with the Bluetooth feature, some 8851 versions have it. Through the Bluetooth PBA profile, the appropriate 8851 phones support sharing or importing of contact and phone history from a mobile cell phone.Further, the Bluetooth Hands-free Profile (HFP) unit mode allows these phones to fully integrate with mobile cell phones and have a 2-way hands-free audio experience. Hands free audio works with iphone 4and 5 series, and Samsung galaxy S4, Note 3 and 2 series.Both phones do not however support video calls.

Cisco 8841 Vs 8851 – A Comparison Review

Cisco 8841

Cisco 8841 VoIP Phone (Power Supply Not Included)

• Five programmable line keys can be configured to support either multiple directory numbers or call...
• Display: 5 inch, 800x480px Widescreen VGA, with 24 bit color.

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The Cisco 8841 comes with 5 programmable line keys which can be configured to support either call features like speed dial, or several directory numbers. Its widescreen VGA display is 24 bit color. The phone is designed to use Cisco’s unified communications manager/call manager which may require a separate license. It supports both LLDP PoE and Cisco Discovery protocol and is compatible with IEEE 802.3at and 802.3af switchblades.

The phone is suitable for managers, knowledge workers and administrative staff in medium to large enterprises.

 Pros

• Superior voice communication
• Wall mount option for space constrained environments
• Gigabit ports/Switches

 Cons

• No redial or Do not disturb keys
• Does not support video calls
• No additional key expansion module
• No Bluetooth enhancement

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Cisco 8851

Cisco CP-8851-K9= 8851 IP Phone 5"

• The product is only compatible with Cisco.
• Features a 5 inch 24 bit color widescreen display with 800 x 480 pixel 2 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet

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This business class phone combines reliability, scalable voice communication and security with Cisco intelligent proximity IP phone integration. This enables users to share call history and contacts. They can also move an active audio/video call from a smartphone to the Cisco phone.

It is only compatible with Cisco and features a 5” 24 bit color widescreen display. It comes with 2 Gigabit ports and a full duplex speakerphone for making/receiving calls. The phone is powered over Ethernet and has an enhanced Bluetooth support (EDR class 1 technology), that covers a range of 20m/66 ft. Its USB port allows charging of mobile devices in addition to other uses.

The easily accessed optional key expansion modules offer a further 72 line/feature keys, sprucing up administrative processes.This makes the phone invaluable in serving executives, managers, knowledge workers and administration staff in medium to large size businesses.

 Pros

• Superior voice communication
• Optional key expansion modules
• Gigabit ports/switches
• Sharing call history and contacts from smartphones
• Integration with smartphones
• Wall mount option for space constrained environments

 Cons

• No redial or Do not disturb keys
• Does not support video calls

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Conclusion 

Both phones target the mid to large scale businesses, andcome with Cisco’s signature superior voice communication quality, PoE, Gigabit Ethernet integrated switches, wall-mount option, VPN client for keeping conversations private, and many more amazing features. The 8851 has more enhanced capacities in terms of more key expansion modules, Bluetooth integration and a USB port – with an enhanced cost as well!

Verdict: Which is better – Cisco 8841 or 8851?

The Cisco 8851‘s Bluetoothintegration, USB port, and optional key expansion module gives it an enhanced capacity that supports more functions, improving office efficiency and productivity. It is therefore a better bet for supporting your growing business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cisco 8841 have Bluetooth?

No, only some 8851 units and the 8861 series have a hands-free a hands-free audio gateway mode that can work with a Bluetooth headset.

How do I forward calls on my Cisco 8851 phone?

After pressing the ‘Forward All’ softkey, enter the phone number you want to forward to. Confirm successful forwarding from the header information on the ‘Forward All’ icon.