Is it worth getting a business phone?

Typically, most small businesses and freelancers use their personal phones for the business. Why not? Get email, messages, calls and calendar notifications on one device. The only issue is, that you can never switch it off since your personal life with friends and family starts when you’re not working, you can’t just throw the phone into a drawer when you’re done with work.

For over 15 years I’ve worked using my personal phone for business. Why would I get another phone plan? It always seemed like an unnecessary expense. UNTIL we had our second child recently. I’m out with family, I get a message, email, calendar invite, or even a random phone call and I unwillingly attend to it. This is not fair for your family and friends when you’re out to spend quality time with them. I don’t even like seeing that calendar “SHOOT TOMORROW”, whilst it’s still the weekend. I want to be as present as possible for my kids and wife when I’m not meant to be working.

You might think “I don’t mind it but, I’m a hustler and enjoy working 24/7”, but your family definitely doesn’t appreciate that. In fact, none of your loved ones will ever appreciate that. Your business call or email can wait till the next opening business hour.

9 reasons for getting a business phone

Here are some no-brainer issues that the business phone solved for me to make the decision:

1. Compartmentalise my digital life.

2. Chuck phone in the drawer when I’m off work.

3. ZERO work emails, ZERO calendar invites, and ZERO business calls on a personal phone are liberating when you’re not meant to be working.

4. Don’t have to pick up unknown numbers on your personal phone anymore, since it won’t be for business.

5. No business apps on the personal phone (Slack, Linkedin, Asana, Whatsapp).

6. I get to use Android again (my personal phone is iOS).

7. Stay focused when working, since I put the personal phone away or in the bag until on break.

8. Full tax deductions on a business phone, since it’s purely used for business only.

9. Know 100% it’s a work-related phone call when the business phone rings.

I’m writing this blog personally because I was looking for an article like this, someone who went through the struggles of using their personal phone as their main device.

As much as we’re all about sustainability, I want to prioritise our personal mental health and our relationships. So we’ve decided to provide all full-time staff here with a work phone, so they can switch off from work when they’re not meant to be working. We believe if you balance your personal life well, you’ll be more productive at work anyway. I don’t expect, nor want our staff to work overtime that might affect their relationships.

Have I not convinced you yet? Stop reading this, go out and get a business phone now!

Keep reading if you’re interested in what I decided to get for my business phone.

The device I chose and why

I decided to definitely go with Android. I didn’t want all my apple devices (AirPods, MacBook) to get mega confused if I introduced another iPhone. Also, because I’m a geek and couldn’t help but look at all the Android fun stuff I’m missing out in Android land. My heart was set on getting a Pixel, since that’s the closest thing to an iPhone (bloat-free, clean, made by Google). However, after seeing the tweet from MKBHD Marques, I had to go with my next best option s23 Ultra (Note).

The only thing I envy about Android is this Spen. Apple. Come on.

As a video producer, I’m constantly signing documents, and making people sign talent release forms and this pen is so handy! Plus, I can edit photos in Lightroom using this Spen which is so satisfying.

I’ve got the S23 Ultra pages set purely for business. Every app and widget is intentionally set up for optimal productivity. Even adding widgets to quickly get to and from shoot location to home. I don’t even have a wallpaper on it, just a pure black wallpaper to reduce distractions and increase battery life on this OLED screen.

Samsung DEX is another cool feature, especially because you can use it wirelessly to your tv or compatible monitor. It turns your phone into a wireless desktop computer. I'm actually writing this article on the DEX right now on my couch. This would be the dream for iPad's or iPhones to do, turn into a dumbed-down MacOS once plugged or airplayed to monitor.