Posted 8 November 2023

Mobile phone for work

Hey I had a work phone which has now been revoked and been asked to use 'personal' phone for work purposes as well.

I have a 1 year old Sony Xperia 1 which has Android 11 as the last update and not expected to get any further Android updates.

I was happy to use my personal phone for work but the requirement for a device to be used for work is to have Android 13 at the minimum and be a device that is expected to get future Android updates regularly. At any time the security patch should not be older than 6 months I am told.

Keeping this in mind, I am reluctantly looking to buy a smartphone to use for work at around £100 budget that has Android 13 currently and is expected to get future Android updates. All I need this phone to do is check work emails and use MS Teams on it.

I can find loads of phone that have Android 13 and around my budget but how do I make sure they will get future Android updates so I don't have to go through this cycle atleast for few years.

Can someone suggest a phone that fits the above requirement?
Thankyou
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  1. BonzyBuddy's avatar
    My workplace switched our timetables to an app. I was on leave when they made the change and I called the emergency line asking if I am on shift and I was on shift, I had missed 5 hours. My manager on a recorded call said "This is all now app based so you should install the app on your phone and come up to date like everyone else". I have a cheap phone for work a Nokia 105 with a lycamobile sim and switch between lebara on their 1p or 45p offers etc, and that's the number I give to all work colleauges and managers and on my forms. I got taken in to an investigation meeting for missing work my reason was i missed it due not having my timetable, and the union were blunt and said if they want me to have an electronic timetable app they need to provide a device so now my manager has to print my timetable sheets and give them to me and I didnt get any bother for missing 5 hours of my shift lol.

    bottom line is they provide you with a device, if not they pay you to get a device or usage of your device decided by you. (edited)
    rvnmax's avatar
    Brilliant, but they shouldn't have bothered you in the first place by taking you to investigation.

    As a caveat to that, my workplace do provide me with a device, but it's a fixed telephone line in the office. So if I want to work from home, I need to use my personal device to receive calls.

    I personally find it annoying that they don't offer a work phone facility as it would be really beneficial to have work stuff separate from personal stuff. In terms of legality it's probably a grey area. But I'm happy working here otherwise, no real complaints from that side of things.
  2. mutley1's avatar
    couldn't you just get a decent phone with dual sim and use that for both?
    gmerchant's avatar
    Author
    I have a personal phone and dnt want to change it ..having weighed the pros and cons think it will be cheaper to have separate phone for work until I change my personal phone in few years time. Now just to find one with the correct Android on it!
  3. 001Cisco's avatar
    You can get Samsung A14 4G.
    They are around £110 on amazon.
    Security update until 2027.
  4. Mail's avatar
    As someone in IT, if they want you to use a phone for work purposes then they'd have to provide you with one. Using your personal one can lead to issues such as the security of your own device to the expectations of your employer and the privacy of your own device. They're not entitled to your property.

    You shouldn't need to purchase a new phone for work reasons and I personally would be requesting one would be provided for me.

    You can read more about this on this LegalAdviceUK thread about the same situation: reddit.com/r/L…or/ (edited)
  5. MonkeysUncle's avatar
    Surely they have to provide a way to access email and teams if that's what they want you to do.
    gmerchant's avatar
    Author
    There is no compulsion from their end to have a device for work but I like to keep a track of emails and messages in teams when not logged in.
  6. bobdylan's avatar
    My work phone is a Samsung Galaxy A13 if that helps
    gmerchant's avatar
    Author
    Does it have Android 13 and do you know if it's going to receive further updates? I'm looking at Samsung A series. Thanks
  7. bozo007's avatar
    Does your job require a phone? If not, why are you being so charitable?
    gmerchant's avatar
    Author
    It's complicated to explain .. I have a good life balance but do need it . Thanks
  8. harrythefish's avatar
    I've got a 2019 Motorola e6 Plus for work, self funded but I get an equipment allowance. Seems it can't be updated beyond Android 9 and had last security update in 2021 (2 years support , Motorola?). It's got work security management on it, otherwise the work Microsoft Office and Teams apps wouldn't be permitted. Any device with corporate security on it can be remotely wiped by your employer, hence I don't want the work apps and security on my daily driver. So it's interesting that Android 9 is allowed. Guess it could be blocked for work use at any time.
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