Philips VOIP841 Skype & Landline Dual-Phone Review
Admittedly I am a casual Skype user and I really only use Skype to talk to friends overseas, where Skype seems to be even more popular then it is here. I’ve eyed several Skype handsets in the past but never jumped ship because I didn’t like that your computer had to be powered on and that you had to be signed on to Skype in order to use it. Thus the fact that the Phillips VOIP841 lets you talk on Skype without having your computer turned on, well that caught my attention right away. The other main feature that piqued my interest, though not quite as unique is the fact that the handset works with your regular landline as well.
Setting up the VOIP841 was as easy as connecting its base station to my wireless router and to my land line. The included instructions were easy to understand and no software installation was required to get it up and running. However you of course need to have a Skype account. The package generously comes with skype credit for 120 outgoing minutes and 12 months of voicemail.
When you turn on the phone it initially asks you to enter your Skype username and password account information. Once that is set up you are ready to start sending and receiving phone calls. After you dial a number and hit send, the phone’s interface gives you an option to select Skype or landline as the method for making your phone call. It’s an easy two step process, that doesn’t require any complicated steps to switch between Skype and your old landline - and that is the way it should be. You can also access your Skype contact list and scroll through it and choose who call.
The phone’s interface is bright and colorful and pretty simple to use. I’d best compare it to the likes of an older cell phone from a few years ago. I especially like the nice amount of ringtones that came with the handset. The rings are unusually loud and entertaining for a non cellular phone. You can set different ringtones for Skype and landline phone calls so that when you hear the phone ring you right away know whether or not someone is calling you via Skype or via your regular landline. You can also view and access your contact / buddy list, view recent calls, and check how much credit you have available for your Skype services. Basically you are able to do almost everything (at least the important functions) that you would do with the Skype software application. As for the design of the phone, I like the modern glossy black and gray style a lot. It will fit in with just about any decor. The size of the handset itself is also just right and it’s comfortable to hold and use.
My only disappointment with the VOIP841 was its mediocre sound quality. Of course the quality of your Skype calls always depend on the speed of the connection for both parties, but even the quality of landline calls was so so. As a matter of fact, calls come out crisper when I use my ordinary landline phone. So call quality was overall was ok, but not great and that applies to the speakerphone function as well. I also would’ve liked to have had some volume controls to be located on the handset.
Overall, the Philips VOIP841 is a great device and very unique communication device that is a must for heavy Skype users and anyone looking for the best of both worlds - the ability to seamlessly switch between making calls on Skype and a landline. As a Skype handset, it excels at being equipped with all of the important Skype functions and its easy to use. Sure, the retail price tag of $149 might seem a bit steep but in the long run you will be saving a lot of money on phone calls. Besides Amazon is selling it for just $117.
Conclusion:
The Good:
Easy to use and set-up, no computer required, works with your landline also
The Bad:
Call quality is mediocre
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the Phillips 841 VOIP has a major issue if you need to dial other country codes via skype or landline….. each time you dial another country code it needs to be programmed into the phone via settings….. and when attempting to dial numbers outside your country code it defaults and adds your original country code….
ie. if my country code listed in phone is +1 it will add this to all numbers called including incoming calls that are returned. So if you attempt to dial another country code like +49 for germany…. it will add +1 before the country code…. this is a major issue if you need to dial international numbers and this phone has just ended up being a waste.