Topic Last Modified: 2011-02-17

This topic compares the new common area phones, the new conferencing device, and the older conferencing devices.

For a comparison of desktop phones, see Desk Phone Comparison Table.

Feature Aastra 6721ip*

Polycom CX500*
Polycom CX3000* Polycom CX5000

Microsoft RoundTable conferencing device

For use in

Common area

Conference rooms

Conference rooms

Connection type

IP

IP

USB to computer, for in-room audio and video

IP, for device updates PSTN, for telephony

Display size

3.5-inch color QVGA

3.5-inch color QVGA

High-resolution backlit graphical LCD

Handset

Yes

No

No

Speakerphone

No

Yes

Yes

Cameras

No

No

Yes (five)

Hands-free microphones

No

Yes (This information is currently not documented.)

Yes (six, two of which are satellite)

Navigation

Two-way navigation keys

Three LCD softkeys

Menu, Select, Home, and Back keys

Two-way navigation keys

Three LCD softkeys

Menu, Select, Home, and Back keys

Touch screen information navigation and delete key

Text input

Full numeric keypad (0-9, #,*)

Full numeric keypad (0-9, #,*)

12-key touch-screen telephone keypad

Audio

Wideband

Wideband

Narrowband

Authentication method

PIN on device

PIN on device

NTLM or Kerberos, when the device is connected to a computer

Not available

Indicators

In-call LED

Mute

In-call LED

Presence

Mute

Device status icons

Ports

No USB

One Ethernet 10/100

One USB Type B

One Ethernet 10/100

Two USB

PoE support

Yes

Yes

No

*New for Microsoft Lync Server 2010 and not yet released to the public.

Note:
All of the phones provide on-device Help.

When choosing between the Aastra 6721ip and Polycom CX500, you may want to compare the audio performance and the terms of the warranty, levels of support, and prices that the different manufacturers provide. After the phones release, contact the manufacturers to obtain these details and for purchasing information. For contact information, see the Aastra website at http://www.aastra.com and the Polycom website at http://www.polycom.com.