Modern businesses want flexibility — and that includes the way they communicate. As companies move away from traditional wired desk phones, many are considering WiFi-enabled phones or DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) solutions. But which one makes the most sense for your team?

Let’s dive into what IT pros are saying, and what you should know before upgrading your communications.

What Are WiFi Phones?

WiFi phones are devices that connect to your office’s wireless network instead of plugging into an Ethernet jack. They can be traditional desk phones with WiFi capabilities or mobile smartphones running VoIP apps.

Pros of WiFi Phones:

Flexibility: No wired connections needed.
Mobility: Move freely within WiFi coverage areas.
Simplified setups in spaces without existing cabling.

Cons of WiFi Phones:

Require a strong, well-designed WiFi network.
Vulnerable to call drops, latency, or jitter on overloaded networks.
May require VLANs, QoS settings, or dedicated SSIDs to prioritize voice traffic.

Learn more about optimizing smartphones for business use here.

What Are DECT Phones?

DECT phones operate on a dedicated wireless frequency specifically designed for voice communication. Instead of connecting to WiFi, they use a DECT base station that connects to your PBX or VoIP system.

Pros of DECT Phones:

Exceptional voice quality and reliability.
Minimal interference compared to WiFi.
Great for roaming within offices, warehouses, or medical centers.

Cons of DECT Phones:

Limited range compared to WiFi in some large deployments.
May lack some advanced desk phone features like BLF (Busy Lamp Fields).

When to Choose WiFi Phones

WiFi phones are a strong option if you already have:

A robust, enterprise-grade WiFi network.
A separate voice VLAN or SSID to prioritize VoIP traffic.
Minimal congestion from non-voice traffic.

Businesses that need desk phone features without the hassle of new cabling might benefit from WiFi-enabled hardware like the Yealink T54W or Cisco 8821 handsets.

If you’re looking for mobile flexibility, using smartphones as WiFi VoIP endpoints can be an excellent solution. See available business smartphones.

When to Choose DECT Phones

For businesses that prioritize voice reliability, DECT remains the gold standard.

Choose DECT if:

You expect a lot of simultaneous voice calls.
You operate in an environment where WiFi is unreliable or overloaded.
You need handsets that roam well across a building without signal degradation.

Need help equipping your workforce with company-owned phones? Check out our company mobile phone guide.

Can Smartphones Replace Desk Phones?

In some cases, yes. Modern smartphones, loaded with VoIP apps, can function as softphones, replacing traditional desk phones entirely.

Benefits include:

Lower hardware costs.
Greater flexibility for remote and hybrid teams.
Easier integration with modern cloud communications platforms.

Looking to build a mobile-first communications fleet? Buy unlocked phones in bulk to get started.

Recommended WiFi-Capable Smartphones for VoIP

At Nobility Wireless, we offer a range of smartphones perfect for WiFi VoIP setups:

Samsung Galaxy Series (e.g., Galaxy S22, Galaxy A Series)
Google Pixel Series (e.g., Pixel 8, Pixel 7a)

These devices deliver excellent call quality, fast WiFi performance, and seamless app support for VoIP services.

Browse our latest inventory here.

Need Help Choosing the Right Solution?

If you’re weighing WiFi phones against DECT systems, or considering smartphones as business communication tools, we can help. Nobility Wireless specializes in providing bulk hardware solutions for businesses that demand reliability and performance.

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