If you’ve ever owned a VoIP phone or looked into taking your comms online, there’s a very good chance you’ll have heard of Yealink; since 2001 they’ve been major players in the VoIP sphere, making reliable, versatile and feature-rich phones and headsets for a huge range of needs and use cases.
So far, Yealink have been focusing both on VoIP desk phones - reliable, familiar phones perfect for office workers, easy to set up and packed with features - and DECT phones, wireless handsets that connect back to a base station through DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) technology, which are ideal for professionals on the go and as equally suited to a warehouse as they are to a retail environment.
However, there’s been one kind of wireless VoIP phone that’s been notably absent from Yealink’s portfolio: the WiFi handset. That is - until now!
What are the advantages of a WiFi VoIP handset?
In non-WiFi VoIP setups, you’ll either have a desk phone which needs to be physically connected to your router or network switch via an ethernet cable, or a DECT handset; these DECT handsets connect wirelessly to a base station, and it’s this base station that handles all the network connection and the sending and receiving of VoIP traffic to and from your phone.
Both of these types of phones have their advantages and disadvantages. A desk phone, like the T44U, is quick and easy to set up and use, and doesn’t experience any signal loss as it’s physically wired into the network; however these phones aren’t portable as they need a consistent, wired network connection and power source - great for office workers, but not so viable for those on the move.
A DECT phone solves the problems related to mobility, and are much better for use cases like warehouses, retail and healthcare centres where employees aren’t so likely to stay in one place; however these need a little more setup than desk phones as the handset needs pairing to the base station, and the base station still needs to be connected to the wider network via an ethernet cable to work. Multiple handsets can be connected to one base station, making it easier to create a network of many handsets, but these handsets can’t stray too far from the static base station or they’ll lose their connection.
A WiFi VoIP handset combines the best of both worlds; the handset connects wirelessly to your VoIP service through the standard WiFi you have in the building without needing to maintain contact with any base stations, and can remain truly portable for as long as the WiFi connection is consistent. A WiFi handset also doesn’t need to be plugged into any cabling or power source, instead coming with a charging cradle that can be plugged into the wall - freeing up ports on your router or network switch. This makes them a great option for a huge range of use-cases - from home phones to offices, restaurants, warehouses, factories, medical centres and more!
The AX83H - Reliable, High-Quality WiFi Calling
The AX83H is Yealink’s first ever WiFi-compatible handset, and incorporates a huge range of features, fine-tuned components and audio software to deliver a premium calling experience at an accessible price point.
Wireless Capabilities
As the name suggests, the AX83H is fully WiFi-enabled - it contains an embedded WiFi 6 chip that’s able to connect over both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, improving calling quality by spreading VoIP traffic over two different frequencies to ensure that there aren’t any bottlenecks. This WiFi 6 chip is also backwards-compatible with older WiFi standards, meaning it’ll perform just as well on a WiFi 5 or even WiFi 4 connection.
In VoIP calling over WiFi, the consistency of that WiFi is the most important factor for call quality; you can have the fastest WiFi in the world, but if the connection strength is spotty, it’ll affect the quality of your call much more adversely than if you have slower WiFi but a consistent connection. In order to combat this, the AX83H also supports incorporated roaming technology; known as ‘IEEE802.11 k/v/r fast roaming protocol’, this means that, in an office or building with multiple access points, you won’t experience any calling disruption when on the move - the AX83H is able to switch automatically in-between APs in milliseconds as you move through the building, ensuring seamless calling on the go.
To connect wirelessly to headsets, the AX83H also features a Bluetooth 5.0 module for effortless hands-free use, as well as a 3.5mm jack for wired headsets to offer a genuinely flexible range of communication options.
Calling Features
In order to prioritise vocal clarity and ease of communication even in noisy or busy environments, Yealink have utilised their over 25 years of experience in the VoIP industry to optimise the sound quality of the AX83H. This handset incorporates Yealink’s proprietary Optima HD Audio protocol to ensure voices remain crystal-clear, and also features smart noise-cancelling technology to eliminate background noise from the call.
Aside from the quality of the calls themselves, the AX83H also features a wide range of powerful, versatile phone features; these include speed dials and redial, Do not Disturb functionality, call forwarding and even a vibration ringer to ensure calls aren’t missed. The handset itself can also support local 5-way conferencing, facilitating easy conferencing wherever an internet connection is available.
Seamless Setup
Connecting your AX83H to your WiFi couldn’t be simpler; by scanning the QR code on the handset with your smartphone, you can enter the name and password of your WiFi network on your smartphone and they’ll be automatically pulled through to the AX83H to connect.
Once a single AX83H is successfully connected to the network, that one handset can then drop your WiFi credentials to any other AX83H handsets in the area, meaning that all your handsets will connect automatically - with no need to individually set up each one!
Extras and Essentials
Not satisfied with an embedded world-class WiFi 6 module and cutting-edge calling components and software to optimise quality, Yealink have also packed the AX83H with a rich portfolio of functionalities and quality-of-life improvements. For ease of use, it’s got a vivid 2.4” backlit colour screen, an intuitive and elegant dial pad and a dual-colour LED indicator to display charging status at a glance.
For those of us on the move like warehouse professionals or healthcare workers, the AX83H also includes a handy belt-clip, and can be charged either of two different ways - either by using the included charging cradle, or by plugging a USB-C cable into the base of the handset itself.
Conclusion
Yealink’s AX83H WiFi handset represents the next step in VoIP telephony; it’s capable of combining the best of both worlds between the wired and DECT handsets Yealink have previously offered, from a straightforward setup process to seamless mobility and crystal-clear call quality.
With its WiFi 6 capabilities, smart roaming technology, and extensive calling features, the AX83H is a game-changer for businesses and professionals who need reliable, high-quality VoIP communication without the limitations of cables or base stations. Whether you're in an office, a warehouse, or on the go, this handset delivers the flexibility and performance needed to keep you connected!
