If you’ve ever tried to navigate the complex world of company phone procurement, you know it’s not just about choosing a device. It’s about balancing cost, consistency, supportability, and user expectations—all while working within carrier constraints, MDM limitations, and sometimes, company politics.

A recent Reddit thread in the r/Intune community revealed just how nuanced these decisions are. We took a deep dive into the responses to better understand what IT professionals are buying in 2025 and why—and what this means if you’re responsible for buying in bulk.

iPhone SE: The Hourly Workforce Favorite

One of the most common themes? Simplicity and affordability win. Multiple IT pros mentioned rolling out iPhone SEs (Gen 3) to hourly-wage staff and reserving iPhone 13s or 14s for executives. The reasons are clear: predictable updates, easy MDM enrollment, and minimal support needs.

iPhones may not be the cheapest upfront, but Apple’s long support cycle and consistency across models make them a reliable choice for scaled deployment.

Pros:

Seamless integration with Apple Business Manager (ABM)
Fewer vendor variances = fewer surprises
End users are already familiar with the interface

Samsung A-Series: The Android Admin’s Go-To

For companies deploying Android, Samsung’s A-series (especially the A34, A53, and A16 5G) came up frequently. Why? Samsung Knox.

Samsung Knox enrollment offers a robust, secure framework for managing Android devices in enterprise settings. IT admins noted that the combination of price, Knox support, and availability made the A-series an ideal choice for MDM, COPE (corporate-owned, personally enabled), or fully managed deployments.

Common Devices Mentioned:

Galaxy A34 5G
Galaxy A53
Galaxy A16 5G

Key Perks:

Cost-effective for scale
Native Android Enterprise support
Ideal balance of performance and affordability

Google Pixel: The Surprise Favorite for Some IT Teams

While Apple and Samsung dominate, a few professionals cited the Google Pixel 8 (and now Pixel 9) as their new go-to—largely thanks to Google’s promise of 7 years of updates and strong MDM compatibility.

For IT teams frustrated with OEM bloatware or inconsistent Android updates, Pixel devices offer a clean, secure alternative.

Bonus: Pixels are increasingly being seen as a high-trust Android device for teams that want the benefits of Android with fewer surprises.

What IT Teams Are Tired Of

The thread didn’t hold back when it came to frustrations:

Samsung Certificate Issues: Multiple users reported recurring problems with certificates on Samsung devices, including WiFi profile resets and MDM config issues.
Employee Entitlement: Companies that once allowed employees to pick any phone (“We’ll get you whatever you want”) are now walking that back. Standardization saves time and money.
Drama: Personal numbers, BYOD policies, and phone upgrades caused more IT headaches than any specific brand.

Buying for Scale? Here’s What Matters Most

If you’re buying in bulk for a growing team, here’s what to prioritize—straight from the front lines:

Consistency across models to simplify support and updates
Support for MDM tools like Intune, Knox, or ABM
Pricing transparency, especially with carriers or third-party vendors
Scalable logistics, including pre-enrollment, labeling, or SIM prep

How Nobility Wireless Fits In

At Nobility Wireless, we work with IT teams, procurement departments, and system integrators to supply company phones at scale—from popular iPhones to Samsung A-series and Google Pixel models. Whether you need 25 or 2,500 devices, we deliver certified, business-ready phones with fast turnaround and support that doesn’t disappear after checkout.

We help teams simplify procurement with:

Flexible fulfillment (we can pre-label, bulk pack, and ship to multiple sites)
Device compatibility with Knox, Intune, and ABM
Inventory insights to match device specs with team roles

Final Thoughts

If you’re buying phones for your company in 2025, you’re not alone in juggling expectations, budgets, and tech limitations. But with the right strategy—and a partner who understands your needs—you can cut through the noise.

Need help securing your next wave of company phones? Let’s talk.