Polycom VVX 500 Vs 501- The touchscreen IP phone
Who knew touchscreen business media phones would become so popular? And because we think you won’t let your business to be left out, we compiled this comparison.
Only change remains changeless is a common truth in all spheres of life. Take business telephony for example – from POTS to digital to VoIP and now, even with the many better versions of VoIP, we are making it touchscreen!So, which is the best touchscreen business media phone out there? How can you make an informed decision when selecting a touchscreen IP phone.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences Between Polycom VVX 500 and501?
VVX 500 |
VVX 501 (Winner) |
|
Display |
Large color 3.5” TFT (320X240) Touchscreen |
Large color 3.5” TFT (320X240) Touchscreen |
SIP Accounts |
12 line registration
|
12 line registration
|
Ethernet Ports |
2 X Gigabit ports |
2 X Gigabit ports |
USB Ports |
2 |
2 |
Integration |
Microsoft Exchange Calendar, Skype for Business, Office 365 Cloud |
Microsoft Exchange Calendar, Skype for Business, Office 365 Cloud, My Info Portal |
Standard Call Handling Features |
Call transfer, mute, hold, 3-way call conferencing, redial, speed dial, multilingual user interface. |
Call transfer, mute, hold, 3-way call conferencing, redial, speed dial, caller ID |
Security |
Media encryption via SRTP |
Media encryption via SRTP |
SKU |
2200-48500-025
|
|
Other Features
|
HTML 5 browser, compatibility with Polycom VVX Camera for video conferencing, HD voice, PoE, Streaming media video playback |
HTML 5 browser, Speakerphone Volume control, adjustable ringer, HD voice, PoE, Streaming media video playback |
Polycom VVX 500 Vs 501 – How Do They Compare?
The Polycom VVX 500 is an older series whose upgrade, the VVX 501series, comes with the newer CPU/Chipset. Let’s find out what functionality improvement this new addition makes, and whether other features remain the same.
User Interface Features
The Polycom VVX 500 is sophisticated and good looking, coming in a glossy black plastic that matches its reflective LCD. It is relatively small in size so does not take up much desk space. The VVX 501 is just as sleek and elegant in design. Both phones offer their users a touch screen interactive interface with a 3.5-inch TFT LCD display at 320 x 240 pixel resolution.
The display provides simple navigation matching what you would see on a smartphone.Their touchscreen is highly responsive, in comparison to other models. The touchscreen is both gesture-based and capable of multi-touch. This simplifies tasks like scrolling through a web page using a finger or quickly typing in SIP addresses using the on-screen virtual keyboard.
Audio Features
Like all Polycom phones, the VVX 500 and VVX 501 have a high definition audio technology consisting the Polycom’s HD Voice. This combines Polycom’s acoustic clarity technology, wideband technology (Polycom’s Siren codec, G.722 and G.722.1) and sound quality boosting software and hardware, to deliver exceptional sounding calls.
Video Conferencing
While both phones under review support video calling and conferencing, the function is not achieved right out the box. A Polycom-branded USB camera accessory has to be purchased separately to enable video.
Basic Features
Polycom VVX 500 has 12 lines and can register up to 12 accounts. In other words, users can register up to 12 lines, translating into 12 different SIP accounts registered on one phone. Each line in addition gets multiple line appearances which enables jumping on multiple calls (up to a maximum of 24) using the same SIP account. These translate to the phone holding so many calls.
Both phones’ standard set of hard keys comprise a num-pad that has large and easy to use round buttons. These buttons activate the headset, mute or speaker, control volume and enable users access the main ‘home’ screen on the touchscreen’s display.
Advanced Features
The greatest advanced feature for the VVX 500 and 501 phones is their web integration and syncing with workplace applications like Microsoft Exchange Calendar, Skype for Business and Office 365 Cloud. The phones also support JavaScript, CSS, HTML5 and SSL security. With the VVX 501’s My Info Portal application users can access any web based information right from the phone’s screen.
Connectivity
Both phones under review have Gigabit Ethernet ports which can achieve theoretical gigabit speeds. Both phones also 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 addition, both phones have 2 USB ports for storage, multimedia and certain USB headphones. The phones also have an electronic hook switch which allows users to pick up or hang up calls using wireless headsets control.
Polycom VVX 500 Vs 501 – A Comparison Review?
The Polycom VVX 500
- 3.5'' (9-cm) TFT Touchscreen Display (320 x 240) Supports USB Cam For Video Conferencing
- Up to 12 line appearances, Streaming media video playback, Supports RJ9 USB Headsets
The Polycom VVX 500 is designed for executives needing more advanced phone functionality. It has the standard call handling features common to other phones like call mute, hold, transfer, Do not disturb, caller ID, and many others. It also has some advanced features like streaming media video playback, integration with other applications and video conferencing through an external USB.
The phone’s key feature is the color touchscreen, which confers smartphone attributes to it. The phone also supports JavaScript, CSS, HTML5 and SSL security.
Pros
- Responsive Touch Screen display
- Superb Audio quality
- Easy to set up
- Intuitive interface
- Expandable applications
Cons
- Easy to fat-finger buttons on touch-screen
- Small display
- Not easy to transfer call to existing call
- No longer supported by Polycom
The Polycom VVX 501
- Polycom Desktop VoIP Conference Phone - 2200-48500-025 -
- High Definition Audio Technology - Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Polycom VVX promises to bring unified communication and next level productivity to the user’s desktop. It targets managers and workers requiring an advanced phone that complements their multi-tasking and schedule juggling.
The VVX 501 comes with all the fundamentals expected of a business phone like call transfer, forwarding, reject, hold, do not disturb, etc. In addition, it has amazing features. The greatest of these is its ability to integrate and complement other applications to improve a workplace’s productivity and efficiency all round. For example, users can access and update their Microsoft Outlook Calendaron the screen, while talking on the phone. In addition, the feature can be used to set reminders for important events on the calendar. Its innovative web-based configuration makes installation and management easy.
Pros
- Integration with workplace apps
- Easy to set up and manage
- Enhanced CPU/Chipset
- Supported by Polycom
Cons
- Small display
- Easy to fat-finger buttons on touch-screen
Conclusion
The only difference the Polycom VVX 501 holds over the VVX 500 is the enhanced CPU/Processor or Memory which makes it more efficient and expandable, meaning it can be expanded to support future applications. The Polycom VVX 500 is fairly priced but still able to give a decent performance. To settle for the phone that will serve you your business well, the trade-off between okay service at a fair price or enhanced service and continued Polycom support at a higher cost has to be made.
Verdict: Which is better – the Polycom VVX 500 or 501?
Because the Polycom VVX 500 is no longer supported by Polycom, thePolycom VVX 501with its enhanced performance is a better bet. One can never be too safe where business is concerned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key benefits of Polycom VVX 501?
The Polycom VVX 501 helps business executives and managers make efficient calls that have unparalleled voice quality due to the Polycom HD voice technology. The phones have a color multi touchscreen display with many lines and other features that improve users’ productivity.
How do I factory reset my Polycom VVX 500?
Reboot the phone by long pressing 0,1 and 3 key for about 3 seconds. A confirmation tone is heard. To restore the factory defaults, long press the 1,3 and 5 keys until the password prompt appears.
