The Cisco 7900 series is a popular phone line that is now no longer supported by Cisco. These phones are known to be sturdy, reliable, and feature rich, which is why users continue to use them regardless of their lifespan status.
But there are other phones on the market that can do just as much as the 7900 series for those looking to make the switch. Here are four other options that work well as alternatives.
Grandstream GXP 1610 ($42) is a solid alternative to the Cisco 7931G. Both are entry level phones with a relatively bare bones set of features. The GXP1610 comes across as what it is, a basic needs IP phone without lots of high end features like numerous SIP accounts support, color screen, or even a backlight.
This is a “fleet” device of IP phones - I can see it generally being used by people who are doing large deployments, those who need inexpensive, yet versatile devices for service industry use, or dynamic campaigning type environments.
Polycom VVX 500 ($160) can serve as a good replacement for the Cisco 7945G. The VVX 500 has a great touchscreen interface. In addition to the regular ports you would find on any VoIP phone (Ethernet port, RJ9 headset port, etc), the VVX 500 has two USB ports for multimedia, storage, and certain USB headsets.
Much like the Cisco 7945G, the VVX 500 has a standard set of hard keys: a numpad with round buttons that are large and satisfying to use, buttons to control volume, activate headset, speaker, and mute, and finally, a button that takes users to the main ‘Home’ screen on the touchscreen display.
Grandstream GXV3275 ($217) is a great option when you're looking to replace the Cisco 7965G. The GXV3275 is a touch screen phone that tries to meld the seamlessness of Android smartphones with the functionality of leading IP phones. Overall, it can do everything the Cisco 7965G can do, and plenty more.
With SIP video phone capabilities, and a gaggle of software features, the GXV3275 is well-suited for anyone looking for powerful features and strong telepresence. It features integrated Bluetooth, Gigabit ports, a built-in web browser, integrated WiFi, HD audio, and PoE. It holds a capacity of 6 lines with up to 6 SIP accounts, 6-way audio conferencing, 3-way video conferencing, and a phonebook with up to 1,000 contacts.
4. The Cisco 7975G is a heavyweight when it comes to features, but the Panasonic KX-UTG300B ($230) can serve as a good replacement. The UTG300B is a hybridized product that aims to make a user’s IP phone more like a smartphone. With a full 5-inch color LCD touch screen, the 300B attempts to reduce the cumbersome configurational and navigational burdens of typical desk phones.
The UTG300B offers enterprise-grade HD voice, a full duplex speaker system, 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports, (PoE), built in Bluetooth capabilities, six SIP accounts, 24 programmable keys, and expansion module support. These leading features make the UTG300B worth the cost.