Topic Last Modified: 2010-07-15
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 |
|
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 |
Two-way navigation keys |
Touch screen information navigation and delete key |
|
Text input |
Full numerical keypad (0-9, #,*) |
Full numerical keypad (0-9, #,*) |
12-key touch-screen telephone keypad |
|
Audio |
Wideband |
Wideband |
Narrowband |
|
Authentication method |
PIN on device |
PIN on device |
N/A |
|
Indicators |
In-call LED |
In-call LED |
Device status icons |
|
Ports |
No USB |
One USB Type B |
Two USB |
|
PoE support |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
*New for Microsoft Communications 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. Contact information is available at the Aastra and Polycom websites.