In short
The best phone for business use is the one that runs your apps, keeps receiving security updates for as long as you will own it, enrols in your device management, lasts a working day, supports 5G, eSIM and dual SIM, and fits your budget over its whole life. Forever Communications can turn those criteria into a shortlist for your team.
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Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
Why there is no single best business phone
A sales director, a delivery driver and a site engineer need different things from a phone. A model that is perfect for one can be a poor choice for another, and today's top-rated handset will be replaced by a newer one within a year.
So rather than a league table, this guide gives you the criteria that matter for business use and what to check for each. Work through them for each role in your organisation and you will usually end up with a short approved list, often two or three phones, that suits everyone. For a wider overview of the options, see mobile phones for business.
The criteria at a glance
| Criterion | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system and apps | Your business apps must run well and be supported | That every essential app supports iOS or Android, including scanners and in-house tools |
| Security update period | Unpatched phones put company data at risk | The manufacturer's published minimum security update period against how long you keep phones |
| Device management support | You need to set policies, deploy apps and wipe lost phones | Support in your device management tool and for zero-touch enrolment |
| Battery and durability | A phone that dies at 3pm or breaks on site costs time | Battery life for the role, water and dust resistance, rugged options |
| 5G and eSIM | Network features depend on the handset as well as the plan | 5G Standalone, eSIM and Wi-Fi Calling compatibility with your network |
| Dual SIM | Lets staff carry a work and personal number on one phone | eSIM plus physical SIM or dual eSIM support |
| Budget and lifecycle | Purchase price is only part of the cost | Cost over the time you keep it, repair, resale and recycling options |
Not sure which option fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right option for your organisation, with a quote.
Operating system and apps
Start with the software, not the hardware. Make a list of the apps each role relies on: email and calendar, Microsoft Teams or another collaboration tool, your CRM, field service or job management app, authenticator apps and anything you have had built in-house.
Most mainstream business apps run on both iPhone and Android. The differences tend to show up with specialist tools, such as barcode scanning, push-to-talk or apps that integrate with particular hardware. If one platform clearly suits your apps, that decides much of the question. If both work, think about what your IT support knows best and whether running two platforms is worth the extra effort.
Our guides to business iPhone and Samsung business phones cover the business tools for each platform.
Security update period
This is the criterion most often missed. Once a phone stops receiving security updates, new vulnerabilities stay unpatched, and that can put email, files and sign-in apps at risk.
Since 29 April 2024, UK law has required manufacturers of consumer connectable products, including smartphones, to publish the minimum period for which they will provide security updates. Use it: compare the published end date with how long you plan to keep the phone, and allow for the fact that a model may already have been on sale for a while when you buy it.
Some manufacturers offer longer support on business editions. Samsung, for example, says its Galaxy Enterprise Edition devices get up to seven years of firmware and maintenance updates. If you are working towards Cyber Essentials, supported and updated devices are part of the requirements, so read how it treats BYOD and home working.
Is business phone recommendation the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Device management and enrolment
Every company phone should be enrolled in device management before it reaches the user. Check that the phones you are considering are supported by your tool, and that they can be enrolled automatically:
- iPhone enrols automatically through Apple Business when bought through a supplier linked to your account
- Samsung Galaxy enrols automatically through Knox Mobile Enrollment when registered to your Knox account, or by QR code
- Other Android phones usually support zero-touch enrolment too, but check the make and model with your device management provider
Our guides to mobile device management software and zero-touch enrolment explain the options.
Battery, durability and the working day
Think about where and how each role uses its phone. Field staff using navigation, a hotspot and a job app all day need a large battery and may value a replaceable one. People who work outdoors, in warehouses or on construction sites may need water and dust resistance and drop protection, or a fully rugged phone. Office and hybrid staff can usually choose on other criteria.
Screen size matters too. A larger screen helps with forms, drawings and documents, while a smaller phone is easier to carry all day. Foldables offer both, at a higher cost and with more care needed.
5G, eSIM, dual SIM and coverage
Network features depend on the handset as well as the plan:
- 5G and 5G Standalone: check that the phone supports your network's 5G Standalone service if you want it; see 5G for business
- eSIM: lets you activate lines remotely without posting SIM cards; see business eSIM
- Dual SIM: lets staff carry a work and personal number on one phone; see business mobile number
- Wi-Fi Calling: helps where indoor signal is weak, if the handset and network support it
The phone cannot fix poor signal on its own. Check business mobile coverage where your people actually work before you settle on a network and handsets.
Budget and lifecycle
Look at the cost over the whole time you will own the phone, not just the purchase price. Include the plan, device management, cases and screen protection, repairs and what the phone will be worth when you sell or recycle it. A slightly more expensive phone with a longer update period can be cheaper over its life if it saves you replacing it early.
Buying phones separately from the airtime lets you choose each model on its merits and refresh it when you decide. Our mobile phones for business guide explains more, and our sister site covers business SIM only plans.
Get a recommendation
If you would rather not work through all of this yourself, we can help. Tell us the roles in your business, the apps they use, how long you keep phones and roughly what you want to spend, and we can suggest a shortlist of phones that fit, on the network that suits where you work. We supply EE Business and Three Business, and can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business.
Contact us for a recommendation.
How Forever Communications helps with business mobile
We help UK organisations choose, set up and run business mobile: plans, SIMs and eSIMs, phones, mobile broadband, 5G and the device management that keeps a fleet under control.
- Start with what you have: we look at your current contracts, end dates, users and devices before suggesting anything new
- Four networks, one conversation: we supply EE Business and Three Business, and can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business, so you can choose the network that works where your people work
- Airtime first, devices your way: we focus on getting your airtime costs down, so you can buy iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and other devices separately and set them up to enrol in your mobile device management
- Moving without losing numbers: we help you plan the switch and keep your existing business mobile numbers
- Beyond the phone: 5G for business, mobile broadband and data SIMs for sites, vehicles and backup connections
- Device management and mobile security: MDM and mobile threat defence from vendors such as IBM, Sophos, Check Point, CrowdStrike and Lookout, plus Jamf, Ivanti, Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile and Mobile Voice Recording with EE Business; see mobile device management and security
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group. Ask us for a quote and we will set out the plans and services that fit your team.
Frequently asked questions
Which phone is best for business purposes?
The best phone is the one that runs your apps, receives security updates for as long as you will keep it, enrols in your device management, lasts the working day and fits your budget. That is usually a short list of two or three phones for different roles, not one model.
Is iPhone or Android better for work?
Neither is better for every business. iPhone offers one consistent platform and Apple Business for enrolment; Android offers a wider range, including Samsung Galaxy with Knox and rugged options. Choose on your apps, support and roles.
How long should a business phone last?
Replacement cycles vary, but the deciding factor should be the manufacturer's published security update period. Do not keep a phone beyond the point where it stops receiving security updates.
Should business phones be dual SIM?
It helps if staff need a work and personal number on one phone, or if you want a backup line. Most recent phones support dual SIM through eSIM. Agree in your phone policy who owns each number.
Can you recommend phones for my team?
Yes. Tell us about the roles in your business, the apps you use and your budget, and we can suggest a shortlist of phones and a network that suits where you work.
Still have a question about business phone recommendation?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.
