What You Need to Know About Fanvil Phones, and Which Model Suits Whom
Fanvil is a manufacturer of desk IP phones, intercoms and communications equipment for offices. Its well-known models belong to the X series, from a simple phone for a clerk up to a phone with side screens for a secretary. They work with a cloud PBX over the SIP protocol, and most receive power through the network cable.
Who Fanvil is
Fanvil is a Chinese company that has made communications equipment for many years. It is known mainly for its desk IP phones, but also makes door intercoms, paging speakers and hotel phones.
In the world of business telephony there are several large manufacturers of desk phones, and Fanvil is one of them. It is considered an option that gives many features relative to the size and price of the device, and so it is common in small and mid-sized offices.
It's important to understand: the phone itself is only the "endpoint." It doesn't decide where a call goes, who answers, or what is heard on hold. The PBX does all that. The phone connects to it, identifies itself as an extension, and from there receives and places calls.
Fanvil also has products that are not desk phones: door intercoms that connect to the PBX like an extension, and paging speakers for hallways and yards. All of these speak the same language (SIP), so they fit into the same system.
The X series — the main series
Most of Fanvil's desk phones belong to the X series. The number after the letter roughly hints at the level: a low number is a basic phone, and a high number is a phone with a larger screen, more keys and more lines.
Over the years several generations of the same series have come out, so you will see names like X3S, X3SP, X4U or X6U. The letters at the end indicate a generation or version. In some generations the letter P indicates support for PoE, meaning power through the network cable, but it's not wise to conclude from the name alone — check the model's data sheet.
The basic models: X1 and X3
At the bottom of the series are models like X1S and X3S (and their P versions with PoE). These are phones with a small screen, a handset, a speaker for hands-free talking and a few programmable keys.
They suit a workstation where people mostly make ordinary calls: an accounting clerk, a guard post, a teachers' room, an institution's kitchen. There is no need there to see who is talking on other extensions or to transfer dozens of calls a day.
Their advantage is simplicity. An employee who doesn't like technology picks up the handset, dials, and transfers a call by pressing a transfer key. There aren't many menus to get confused in.
The mid-range models: X4 and X5
Models like X4U and X5U are the classic office phones. They have a larger color screen, more lines and more DSS keys — keys that can be programmed for a fixed action.
Such a key can be a speed dial to the manager's extension, a BLF key that shows with a lamp whether the extension is busy, or a key that transfers a call directly to a voicemail box. These models usually also have a fast network port (gigabit), which matters when the computer is connected through the phone.
This is the common choice for most office employees: enough keys for everyday work, without paying for screens that aren't needed.
The advanced models: X6, X7 and X210
At the top of the series are phones for whoever handles many calls. The X6U is known for its side screens next to the main screen: instead of a paper label next to each key, the name of each extension appears on a small screen, and you can page through pages of keys.
The X7 models are phones with a touchscreen, and the X210 is a large phone for secretaries and managers, with a wide main screen and additional screens for extension keys. They suit a workstation through which most of the organization's calls pass.
A yeshiva secretary who answers the main phone and transfers to the rosh yeshiva, the mashgiach and accounting needs to see at a glance who is free. For her, a phone of this tier, sometimes together with an expansion module, saves many "one moment, let me check if he's free."
General comparison table
| Tier | Examples | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | X1S, X3S | Clerk, guard post, kitchen | Small screen, few keys, speakerphone |
| Office | X4U, X5U | Most employees | Color screen, DSS keys, more lines |
| Advanced | X6U, X7, X210 | Administration, managers, call center | Side screens or touch, many keys |
The table is only a general direction. Models are updated every few years, and before buying it's worth checking which current model replaces the one you know.
DSS and BLF keys — the heart of an office phone
DSS (Direct Station Selection) is a general name for a key that is programmed for a single action. BLF is a special type of it: a key connected to another extension that shows its status by the color of the lamp. Green — free, red — on a call, blinking — ringing.
Pressing the BLF key of a free extension dials it. During a call, the same press transfers the call to it. And in many PBX systems, pressing the key of a ringing extension answers in its place — what is called call pickup.
The number of physical keys is one of the big differences between models. A basic phone has few, and an advanced phone has dozens, sometimes on several pages.
PoE, network ports and screens
Most Fanvil phones support PoE: they receive power through the same network cable that brings the communications. When the communications cabinet has a switch with PoE, there is no need for a power outlet next to every desk, and if the switch is connected to a UPS — the phones keep working through a short power outage.
Each phone usually has two network ports: one to the wall and one to the computer. This way one cable per desk is enough. In newer phones the ports are fast (gigabit), so the computer isn't slowed down.
The screen matters too: a large color screen is convenient for reading caller names and paging through the call history, and a small screen is enough for someone who only dials and answers.
Choosing the screen is also a matter of comfort throughout the day. Someone who sits in front of the phone eight hours will want a bright screen that can be read from any angle, and someone who answers once an hour won't feel the difference. There is no reason to pay for a screen no one looks at.
The management interface in the browser
Every Fanvil phone has a management interface in the browser. You type the phone's IP address (shown in its menu) into the browser, log in with a username and password, and see all the settings: the SIP account, the keys, the clock, the language, the ringtone and more.
Most of the time you don't need to go in there at all. A phone that arrives pre-configured, or that receives settings through auto-provisioning, already knows which PBX to connect to and which keys to show.
One important thing: don't leave the management interface's default password. An interface that is open with a known password is an open door. This is a general recommendation for all network equipment.
Features worth knowing
Language and Hebrew: in many models you can choose a Hebrew menu and display caller names in Hebrew. It's worth checking this before buying, because support varies by model and firmware version.
Headset: office models usually have a dedicated jack for a headset, and some also support wireless headsets. Someone who talks on the phone most of the day will feel the difference in the neck.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: some models have a built-in wireless network or as an adapter. This is convenient when there is no cable to the desk, but a wired connection is more stable for calls.
What Fanvil won't solve
A good phone doesn't fix a weak network. If calls cut off or the sound is "robotic," the cause is almost always in the internet, the router or the network settings, and not in the phone.
Also, the decisions about what happens to a call — menu, queue, transfer when there is no answer — are made on the PBX. Replacing a phone will not change the call route.
An example from the field: in the office of a small nonprofit in Bnei Brak, they complained that the new phones were "no good," because calls cut off after half a minute. On inspection it turned out the router was blocking the incoming call after a short time. After fixing one setting in the router, the same phones worked without a problem. So before replacing a device, check the network first.
How to choose a model — three questions
How many calls pass through the workstation? Someone who gets a call or two an hour will manage with a basic phone. Someone who answers the main line and transfers calls onward needs keys and a screen that shows who is free.
What is next to the desk? If there is only one network point and the computer needs it too, choose a phone with a second fast port. If there is no power outlet, make sure there is PoE in the cabinet.
Who will use it? An older employee used to an old phone will prefer large keys and a simple menu. An experienced secretary will make use of a touchscreen and dozens of keys. A phone that is too complicated for a simple employee is wasted money, and a phone that is too simple for a secretary slows down the whole office.
Rule of thumb: not the whole office needs the same model. It is common to see one or two advanced phones in administration, and simple office phones in the other rooms.
How it works with us at Kesher
Fanvil phones are one of the types of phones we supply, alongside Yealink. Adapters for analog lines we supply from Grandstream.
The equipment arrives pre-configured: you connect a network cable, and the phone comes up as an extension on the PBX. There is no need to enter the management interface or type in account details.
Most of what determines how the extension behaves — ring time, destination when no one answers, voicemail box and recording — is set in the Extensions screen in the control panel, in Hebrew, and every screen has an illustrated guide.
When you set up a new office, we can also set up the communications cabinet: cables, patch panel, a PoE switch that powers the phones, router, UPS and labeling. And if you have a question about a model — a person answers, not an automated system.
FAQ
Does a Fanvil phone work with any PBX?
Most phones work with the standard SIP protocol, so they connect to most PBX systems. However, advanced features like BLF also depend on the PBX, so it's worth checking in advance.
Which model should I buy for most employees?
For most office staff, a mid-range phone with a color screen and a few DSS keys is enough. Advanced models are best kept for receptionists and people who transfer a lot of calls.
Do I need a power outlet next to every phone?
Not if you have a PoE switch and the phone supports it. Otherwise, use the small power adapter that comes with the phone or is bought separately.
Can I connect my computer through the phone?
Yes. Most phones have a second network port for a computer. On newer models it is fast, so the computer is not slowed down.
Is there a Hebrew menu?
On many models there is, but it varies by model and firmware version. It is worth checking before you buy.
The phone shows "Not registered." What should I do?
It is usually a network or settings problem, not a fault in the phone. Check that the cable is connected and that there is internet. If that does not help, contact support before changing any settings.
Can I mix Fanvil and Yealink in the same office?
Yes. The PBX does not tell manufacturers apart, and every phone is simply an extension. The only difference is the menus and the shape of the keys.
How many years does a phone like this last?
A desk phone usually lasts many years. What limits it is mainly that the manufacturer stops issuing updates, not wear and tear. When a model no longer gets firmware updates, it is worth planning a replacement.
Can I move a phone from one office to another?
Yes. As long as it has internet, the phone connects to the cloud PBX and receives its extension. This is one of the advantages of a cloud PBX: the extension goes with the phone.
What is the difference between Fanvil and Yealink?
Both manufacture IP phones that work on the same protocol. The differences are in design, menus, the range of models and small details such as the number of keys. Both suit most users, and the choice depends on the workstation and personal preference.