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Linksys CIT200
$1,546, Foresoon Engineering Co. Ltd
The Good: 
	Voice encryption to protect data privacy.
	 Solid range of Skype functions
The Bad: 
	Compared to other phones on the market with a similar price tag, it’s really quite basic.
The Verdict: 
	A classic internet phone from a classic brand. And by classic, I mean basic. But reliable. Your choice, Grandpa.
Gigaset Siemens SL550 (Wi-fi) 
$1,850, Fortress Electronics
	Also usable on regular landline
The Good: 
	Wi-Fi-enabed – can access your Skype contacts through the phone instead of the PC and make phone calls without being connected to computer running Skype.
	Can text message
	Whew, it’s sexy.
The Bad: 
	Expensive.
The Verdict: 
	Buy it to impress people with your great taste and fat wallet. And maybe get laid. Maybe, I said.
Olympia FEC9211 
$680, Foresoon Engineering Co. Ltd
	Also usable on regular landline
The Good: 
	Can make regular and internet calls from a single handset.
The Bad: 
	Not the most durable phone out there – two out of four handsets failed in 15 months.
	The keypad sometimes fails to register
	Can't travel that far from the base.
The Verdict: 
	There are definitely better choices out there.
Belkin F1PP000GN-SK (Wi-Fi)
$1,400, Fortress Electronics
The Good: 
	Wi-fi-enabled - can access your Skype contacts through the phone instead of the computer and make phone calls without being connected to computer running Skype. As long as you have access to a Wi-fi network you can make those free long-distance calls to your heart’s content.
	Battery life far exceeds that of SMC and Netgear phones.
	Exceptional sound clarity on Skype-to-Skype calls.
The Bad: 
	God, it’s expensive. You could buy yourself that new Toshiba flip phone for this price. And that thing is cute.
The Verdict: 
	A little pricey, but admittedly, Belkin IS a super reliable brand for internet and networking type stuff.
Netgear SPH101 (Wi-Fi)
$1,980, Fortress Electronics
	Also usable on regular landline
The Good: 
	Wi-fi-enabled - can access your Skype contacts through the phone instead of the computer and make phone calls without being connected to a computer running Skype.
	Can forward calls to mobile, landline or another Skype account.
The Bad: 
	There aren't really that many accessible wireless bubbles around the city, so that’s a moot point.
The Verdict: 
	It’s good, but really, really expensive. Are you really going to take a brick like this out with you anyway? For home Skype calls, a non-Wi-fi-enabled phone at a third of the price would do.
Philips VoIP321 
$790, Fortress Electronics
	Also usable on regular landline
The Good: 
	Great sound quality
	Can make internet and landline calls from the same phone
The Bad: 
	Not that much.
The Verdict: 
	If Phillips is putting out a Skype phone, you KNOW it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. Get this phone and start Skyping for god’s sake. Unless, like, you want to be the only jackass still paying for long-distance phone calls.
How Do I Set It Up?
Just ask for a Skype phone package at the store you get your phone from, and they’ll sign you right up. If you ask really nicely, they might even throw in a spare battery or travel battery charger. We didn’t ask nicely and had to give them our only spare battery to avoid being punched. Oh yeah, you’ll need a Skype account too. Download the program from www.skype.com.
What’s Skype In? What’s Skype Out?
These are additional services you need to subscribe to in order to make use of phone functions allowing you to make Skype-to-landline (Skype Out) and landline-to-Skype (Skype In) calls. Just ask at your friendly neighborhood electronics store.


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You’re My Skype

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Want free long-distance calls? Buy a Skype-enabled phone to call over the internet.


You’re My Skype

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Want free long-distance calls? Buy a Skype-enabled phone to call over the internet.

Gigaset Siemens SL550 (Wi-fi) {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/650w/public/2016/10/19/gigaset-siemens.jpg?itok=QoykOzh-"}

Want free long-distance calls? Buy a Skype-enabled phone to call over the internet.

Gigaset Siemens SL550 (Wi-fi)