Polycom VVX 400 Vs 410 – Which Business Phone Suits You?

If communication is the heart of a business, then the telephone is its heartbeat!The million dollar question is, which phone will settle your office’s communication beat!

Polycom VVX’s business IP desk phones are popular for their high quality audio and video functionalities. There is a device for the entry level user, as well as the executive or professional user. They have devices for small businesses as well as large companies.  How do you choose the right fit for you? This Polycom review hopes to narrow down the search for you. We will look at what the 2 phones share in common, and what is different. This will help you decide which features best meet your needs.

What are the Differences BetweenPolycom VVX 400 and 410?

Polycom VVX 400 Vs 410 – How Do They Compare?

The VVX 400 series are considered mid-range business phones with crystal clear communication, targeting front-line workers in small and medium enterprises.  Does this hold true for the VVX 400 and VVX 410 models?

Ethernet Ports

This carries the main difference between the Polycom VVX 400 and 410. The VVX 400 has two 100mbps Ethernet ports – one for a computer with PoE and the other for network. These Ethernet ports can only achieve theoretical maximum speeds of 100mbps. However, the VVX 410 has Gigabit ports. These can achieve theoretical gigabit speeds.

User Interface Features

Both the Polycom VVX 400 and 410 come with a 3.5” color LED screen (320 X 240 resolution), in a layout that streamlines call management. Their color and size gives them an elegant look that doesn’t take too much space on the desk. Height can be adjusted to 3 levels. The phones are further anchored by the color LED screen, which also accords them enough space for monitoring users and lines.

Both phones have support for Asian characters and VVX color expansion modules. The phones do not have video support.

Audio Features

Both phones under review have top-rate voice quality. The Polycom HD voice technology ensures life-like voice delivery to each audio path handset, optional headset and the hands-free speaker phone. Even though they are classified as mid-range phone, their voice quality competes with some of the best models in the market. The speakerphone is hardly affected by the distance. The sound quality also remains of HD quality throughout calls. All this is thanks to the Polycom Acoustic Fence and the duplex speakerphone acoustic clarity technologies.

Basic Features

Both phones under review have 12 lines and can register up to 12 accounts. The lines help register accounts or monitor availability of the phone by other users (BLF function). Both phones have a 12-key dial pad and hard keys for other call functions e.g. speaker, home, mute, volume, headset, messages, transfer and hold.

Notifications indicating voicemail or missed calls appear on the LCD screen’s top right corner. An LED indicator also appears on the phone itself. In addition, the phones have a 4-way navigation arrangement with a center ‘select’ key.

The BLF is a feature common to phones with many users (e.g. office environment) which is used to monitor calls on one or more extensions. This helps the user know when the extension is available to receive a call. Though a soft switch (PBX) detects and notifies on events at the monitored extension, a feature key can be assigned to the BLF function. One BLF key only monitors one extension.

Advanced Features

Both phones under review come with a wide range of advanced features including Polycom desktop connector, Polycom Productivity suite, Polycom Myinfoportal (news widgets, weather), open APIs, Visual Conference Management, Exchange calendar integration and many others. These enable the phones to integrate with many IP telephony systems.

Connectivity

Both phones come with a Power over Internet (PoE) adapter which powers the data transmission. The phones do not therefore rely on availability of power to function. All the same, some versions of the phones under review also come with an AC power adapter. Having the AC adapter has the flexibility of choosing to use power or the PoE. These versions cost more. Nevertheless, for those versions without the AC adapter, one can always buy the adapter separately.

In the same manner some versions of both phones have a USB port. Others don’t. In addition, both phones under review offer the user the flexibility of using either the IPv4 or the IPv6 IP versions.

Polycom VVX 400 Vs 410  – A Comparison Review?

The Polycom VVX 400

Polycom VVX 400 - 12 Line PoE Desktop Phone (Power Supply Not Included)

• 12 lines (programmable line keys), Backlit 3.5 in color LCD (320 x 240) resolution
• Polycom HD Voice technology delivers lifelike voice quality for each audio path handset, the hands-free...

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This mid-range phone is a step up from the VVX 300 series, thus is slightly more advanced. All the same, it has the same phone handling features as the VVX 300, its 6 extra SIP accounts effectively doubles the VVX 300 capacity. In addition, the line keys can also double up as BLF indicators, to alert you when colleagues are on call.

To add on to all the amazing features on the VVX 300 series, the phone has a USB port, color screen and is ADA volume control compliant. The LED screen is a great improvement, the speakerphone supports many codec options, including opus. This sets the phone miles apart from other similar brands. The USB port further expands the phone’s functions, including USB recording, for example.

Pros

• Excellent Audio quality
• Easy to use
• Up to 12 lines
• Power over Ethernet
• 5” LCD screen, BLF
• Easily integrates with other systems

Cons

• Low speed Ethernet ports
• CPU/Memory not enhanced

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The Polycom VVX 410

Polycom 2200-46162-025 VVX 410 12-Line IP Phone Gigabit PoE (Power Supply not Included)

• 3.5" Color Graphical Display (320x240)
• 12 lines or Speed dial Keys, Asian Character Support

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This mid-range VoIP phone comes with a user-friendly interface of a 12-line color display. This enhances quick deployment, making it easy to use. The color interface large screen and 12 speed dial feature also ensures improved productivity. With the web-based configuration tool, setting up and managing the phone is very easy.

The phone’s Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure operations at maximum bandwidth which results in call clarity that is exceptional.

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Gigabit ports
• Exceptional clarity
• 12 lines
• Easily integrates with other systems.

Cons

• CPU/Memory not enhanced

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Conclusion

There you have it! The Polycom VVX 400 and VVX 410 are both loaded with amazing benefits like exceptional clarity, 12 lines, Integration with other systems, easy set up and use, etc. Moreover, at a little extra cost, the VVX 410 offers gigabit call handling speeds. The unfortunate thing is that, being older models, both phonesare no longer supported by Polycom. This means you will not be able to get fix, update or maintain the phone online, in case of a problem. If you don’t have a gigabit enabled internet connection in your office, then the more affordable VVX 400 is a good bet, because even if you got the enhanced VVX 410, internet speeds will remain at 100mbps, the speed that the VVX 400 supports.

Verdict: Which is better – The Polycom VVX 400 or 410?

The Gigabit Ethernet ports give the Polycom VVX 410 an edge over the 400 phone. This improves audio clarity and phone handling speeds. It is therefore the better of the two phones

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transfer calls on my Polycom VVX 400?

Press transfer from the lines or calls view, which puts the active call on hold, dial the person you want the call transferred to, when connected, press transfer.

How do you forward calls on the VVX 410?

Select forward from the home view, select the line to apply forwarding to, select the forward type you want from the forwarding type select screen, enter the forwarding number and select Enable. The forwarding number will be displayed in the status bar.