By Gretchen Cathey, Social Networking Content Manager for of Worth Ave. Group

Long gone are the days when BlackBerry was the only smartphone for business professionals. In fact, there is now such a wide range of phones for entrepreneurs and employees alike, each with several ways to create a mobile office, that it can be difficult to determine which will best suit your business needs. This is especially the case given the BYOD movement (bring your own device), which allows (and in some cases requires) employees to bring their own phone to work instead of being offered corporate cell phones. To help minimize your research, here is a run-down of the top smartphones for business so far this year.

Apple iPhone 4S

No doubt you have been hearing about this phone for several months now. That’s because it is known for its various upgraded features, including its 8-megapixel camera and the voice assistant named Siri. But it also offers other extras that may appeal to professionals. For example, the dual-core processor ensures the phone is fast, while FaceTime makes for easy video calling. You can make several calendars so you can keep events for your job separate from your personal life, and you can even tell Siri to add an event to your schedule. In addition, iCloud allows you to sync documents, photos, and music across several devices so you can always access them.

Despite this phone’s popularity, it has some shortcomings. For example, it is not easy to swap out the battery for a freshly charged one. In addition, there is no room for a memory card, so you need to get the 32 GB version of the phone if you think you will need extra memory. Plus, the screen is rather small at 3.5 inches, there is no 4G capability, and Apple recently announced that the next OS update will replace Google Maps with Apple Maps. Therefore, if you value a large screen, Google Maps, and memory expansion after the initial purchase, you should consider other smartphones.

Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx

This phone boasts a 4.3-inch screen, a MicroSD card slot for extra memory, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This modern operating system includes a variety of color-coded calendars, an email widget that makes it easy to manage messages from the home screen, and cloud connectivity. Some other business-friendly features of this smartphone include its long-lasting 3300mAh battery, its small size, and its ability to be used a modem for 8 devices with Wi-Fi. Additionally, its security is top-notch, making it perfect for companies that allow employees to bring their own phone to work. Not only can you remotely wipe the data, but you can also encrypt this smartphone to protect sensitive information like your email and contacts.

On the other hand, like the iPhone 4S, you cannot easily remove the battery on this phone. Unlike the iPhone 4S, the camera is not great. But if you don’t plan to take many pictures for work, and you are interested in superior security features, this phone might be best for the job.

HTC One X

One of the best features of this smartphone is the screen, which is a bit larger than most phones at 4.7 inches. This can make it easier to view documents and type with the onscreen keyboard. Plus, this smartphone allows conference calling, and is considered a “world phone” so you can travel with it internationally when necessary for business. You can view PDF files using PDF Viewer on the HTC One X, and of course, you can expect blazing fast browsing speeds with 4G capability. It currently comes with the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

However, this is another phone that lacks a microSD slot, and does not let users swap out the battery easily. But if you need a phone that has a large screen, and that you can travel anywhere with, you can likely overlook the few shortcomings of this smartphone, as most reviews say it is a solid phone overall.

Samsung Galaxy S III

This smartphone is ideal for business professionals who need to share content. For example, members of a group can easily share PDF files, PowerPoint slides, and other documents using Group Cast. Like some other new phones, this one uses Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, so you get all the features of this system. Plus, there is S Voice, which is a personal assistant similar to Siri on the iPhone 4S. The screen size is 4.8 inches, making this another phone with a screen that is larger than average.

One downside is that although this phone is known for its sharing capabilities, you can only easily share content with other phones of this type. Plus, due to the phone’s larger size, people with small hands may be unable to use it comfortably. Take these shortcomings into consideration before choosing this smartphone.

Deciding on a Smartphone for Business

Whichever phone you choose, know that you will likely be using it both for personal and business use. This means you should ensure that your new smartphone has plenty of business-friendly features. Choose depending on your work needs. For example, if you need a superior camera, a voice assistant, and easy syncing across devices, the iPhone 4S should appeal to you. If security and impressive battery life matter to you, the Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx should be considered. When international travel, PDF documents, and conference calls are required for your job, check out the HTC One X. Finally, the Samsung Galaxy S III may be attractive if you appreciate a large screen, and need to share documents with others who have the same phone.

There is no single phone that is the best choice for entrepreneurs and business professionals as everyone’s needs are different. But keeping in mind the software, memory, internet, and sharing capabilities you need will help you in making the best choice when selecting a smartphone to best suit your business.

About the Author:

Gretchen Cathey is the Social Networking Content Manager for of Worth Ave. Group, a leading provider of insurance for iPhones: http://www.worthavegroup.com/iphone-insurance