What Was The Best Business Phone of 2013?

There was a time when the Blackberry was the king of company phones, and businessmen and women who did not own one quickly found themselves out of the loop. After all, you need a handy and reliable phone for keeping in touch with your clients and associates when you are on the move. Of course, if it's one thing about the mobile phone market it is that nothing is ever constant; what is popular today will become outdated technology tomorrow.

• Long-Lasting Battery - Taking multiple incoming calls will probably make up the bulk of your daily work, and it is vital to have a battery that can handle the frequent use between charges.

• Keyboard Capabilities - Just as you receive calls, you will also need to send out dozens of replies. Having a keyboard makes it easier for you to quickly send and respond to the incoming emails you get every day.

• Support Business Apps - Your phone should be able to support business-specific apps like Microsoft Outlook. Be sure the phone you are contemplating is compatible with some of the top business apps.

• Data Plan - For most businessmen, women and entrepreneurs, their phone is their lifeline; they rely on it the way a sailor relies on a compass. Being that you are going to be using the phone a lot, be sure to have a data plan that supports your anticipated heavy phone use.

• Security - One of the great things about a mobile is that it allows you to access your company information anytime and anyplace. However, with such convenience also comes the risk of data theft. Be sure your phone comes with a plan that safeguards your information.

The best business phone to own should have all the above features and then some. While it is subjective and there may be some dispute over what the best business phones currently are, the following makes this list due to the number of positive user reviews and feedback.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - The Galaxy Note 3 by Samsung is what is termed as a phablet, a hybrid between a phone and tablet. With its huge 5.7 inch screen display, 4G capabilities and Snapdragon processor, this is the ideal companion for those who need to constantly keep up with their emails while on the go.

• Sony Xperia Z - The Sony Xperia Z is touted as being highly dust and water-resistant, which is a huge plus given the fragile nature of such handheld devices. It is also known for its Near-Field Communication capabilities, which allow for easy transfer, sending and receiving of photos, videos, audios and contact information to compatible devices.

• Blackberry Z10 - As mentioned, while the Blackberry has some stiff competition, it is not completely out of the game just yet. The Z10 aims to win back consumers and has some nice new features. It has touchscreen capabilities with the traditional Qwerty keyboard fully set up. There is also a neat feature known as the BlackBerry Balance that allows you to separate your business and personal messages and quickly jump between the two.

• iPhone 5 - No list is complete without an iPhone. The 5 is not all that different than the 4 that came before it. It does, however, feature a slimmer design and wider display. Apple is also known for producing some of the best business-specific software that is available through its App Store.

Every brand, of course, will claim that their device is the most business-friendly. As the user, it is up to you to determine what the best phone is for both your business and personal needs. While the phones listed are definitely among the trendiest of this year, by no means limit your search and don’t be shy about checking out phones that find their way on other tops lists.