What Is a SIP Phone?
A SIP phone is any device that makes and receives calls using the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard — the technical protocol that underpins virtually all modern VoIP phone systems. When you switch to a cloud or hosted VoIP system, SIP phones are what your team use to make calls.
SIP phones come in two forms: hardware IP phones (physical desk phones that connect over ethernet or WiFi) and softphones (software applications on a computer or mobile).
SIP Phone vs Traditional Desk Phone — What's the Difference?
A traditional desk phone connects to a copper phone line. A SIP phone connects to your internet router or WiFi. It registers with your VoIP provider using SIP credentials, then makes and receives calls over your broadband connection.
| Feature | SIP Phone | Traditional Analogue Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Ethernet / WiFi | Copper phone line |
| Call cost | Included in monthly plan | Per-minute charges |
| HD Audio | ✅ Wideband codec | ❌ Narrow band only |
| Remote working | ✅ Use anywhere with internet | ❌ Fixed to physical line |
| PSTN 2027 ready | ✅ Yes | ❌ No — will stop working |
| Features (recording, AI etc) | ✅ Full feature set | ❌ Very limited |
What Is a Softphone?
A softphone is a software application — on a computer, tablet or smartphone — that works exactly like a physical SIP phone but without any hardware. You make and receive calls through your device's speakers and microphone (or a headset).
Softphones are ideal for remote workers, hot-desking employees, or anyone who prefers not to have a physical desk phone. The Telexico mobile app is a softphone — it gives your personal phone a separate business number that's fully integrated into your cloud phone system.
Popular SIP Phone Hardware Brands
- Yealink — most popular for business VoIP. T-series from T30 entry level to T58 executive. Telexico's recommended brand.
- Grandstream — strong mid-range option. GRP series excellent value.
- Cisco — enterprise grade. Higher cost but excellent build quality.
- Polycom / Poly — particularly strong for conference phones.
- snom — German-engineered, popular in Germany and increasingly in UK.
Do I Need to Buy SIP Phones?
Not necessarily. Many businesses run entirely on softphone apps — no physical phones at all. This works particularly well for remote or hybrid teams. If you do want desk phones, Telexico supplies Yealink handsets pre-configured for your system, starting from £79.