Grandstream GXP1628 Review — Australia 2026

Who is this phone for?

The GXP1628 is aimed at budget-conscious deployments: businesses replacing analogue phones with VOIP for the first time, small offices that need a functional desk phone at the lowest per-seat cost, or large rollouts where per-unit cost is a controlling factor and basic functionality is sufficient. Two SIP accounts covers the majority of individual desk phone use cases. A primary number and a second line for receiving overflow or shared team calls. The 8 BLF keys are useful for monitoring a small number of colleagues or commonly-used speed dials, though they are not sufficient for a supervisory or operator role. Who should consider the GRP2602P instead: the GRP2602P is a newer-generation Grandstream phone at a similar price point (~$62 AU at best price). It has 4 programmable keys and the same 2 SIP accounts on a similar screen. For newer deployments, the GRP2602P is generally the preferred option as it represents current Grandstream architecture rather than the older GXP Classic platform. Who should step up to the GRP2634: if 4 SIP accounts and 8 BLF keys in the newer GRP Professional series is the target, the GRP2634 is the next step up with a more current platform. Who should consider the Yealink T31P instead: the T31P is the Yealink equivalent at a similar price. 2 SIP, PoE, solid build. For mixed-brand offices, both are solid entry phones. For new deployments, choose based on which brand your provisioning system handles more conveniently.

Specs at a glance

Build quality and design

The GXP1628 uses the GXP Classic chassis. A slightly older design than the current GRP series but a solid, professional-looking phone. The 2.8" colour screen at 320×240 resolution is adequate for reading caller ID, call status, and contact information. The display is identical in size to the GRP2602P and GRP2634. The 8 BLF keys are physical hardware keys with LED indicators. They can be configured as BLF monitors, speed dials, or line keys. For a basic staff phone with a few commonly-used speed dials or two or three extensions to monitor, 8 keys is workable. For supervisor or reception roles requiring more BLF capacity, step up to the GRP2636 or GRP2670. The Ethernet ports are 100Mbps rather than Gigabit. A trade-off at this price tier. If the desk relies on PC passthrough for a Gigabit connection, a Gigabit-capable phone (GRP2634, GRP2636, GRP2670, or any current-gen Yealink T4/T5 series) is the correct choice.

Call quality on Australian NBN

Despite being the entry-level model, the GXP1628 supports OPUS and G.722 HD audio alongside the standard codec set. HD call quality is achievable on well-configured NBN connections, which is an upgrade on the call quality delivered by the PSTN lines it typically replaces. Wired Ethernet provides consistent call quality. Disable SIP ALG on the router. The GXP1628 registers via standard SIP credentials with any AU VOIP provider. Grandstream GDMS supports auto-provisioning for bulk deployments.

Features

The GXP1628 covers the essentials for a basic business desk phone:

• 2 SIP accounts. Handles one primary number and one additional line. Sufficient for most individual staff positions.
• 8 BLF keys. Programmable for BLF monitoring, speed dial, or line appearances. Useful for a small number of frequently-called extensions or contacts.
• 2.8" colour screen. Caller ID, call history, contact display in colour.
• PoE powered. Single Ethernet cable handles both power and network. No mains adapter required.
• G.722 + OPUS HD audio. HD codec support for clear call quality on compatible connections.
• PC passthrough. Dual 100Mbps Ethernet ports for single-cable-drop desks.
• Grandstream GDMS provisioning. Cloud-based configuration management for multi-unit deployments.

What works / What doesn't

Australian pricing and where to buy

The GXP1628 retails around $89 AUD from Australian ICT retailers and is also available on Amazon AU. Pricing updates nightly on this page from StaticICE AU data. Note: at a similar price point, the newer Grandstream GRP2602P (~$62 at best price) and the Yealink T31P (~$79) are worth comparing before committing to the GXP1628. For new deployments, current-generation platforms are generally preferable.

A desk phone is only part of the equation. To understand what cloud phone system should sit behind your phone hardware, see our guide to the best phone system for Australian small businesses.

For a side-by-side comparison of desk phones in the GXP Classic series and alternatives, see our guide to the best SIP desk phones for Australian businesses.

Verdict

The GXP1628 is a functional entry-level VOIP phone at a competitive price. It does the job for basic desk positions that need 2 SIP accounts, a colour screen, and PoE. For new deployments, however, the GRP2602P (newer architecture, often cheaper) or the Yealink T31P (equivalent price, current platform) are generally better starting points. The GXP1628 is most suitable for: existing Grandstream environments where the GXP Classic is already being used and consistency matters, or high-volume budget rollouts where the per-unit price justifies the older platform.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Grandstream GXP1628 compare to the GRP2602P?

The GRP2602P is a newer-generation Grandstream phone on the current GRP platform, typically available at a lower price (~$62 AU best price vs ~$89 for the GXP1628). Both have 2 SIP accounts and a 2.8" colour screen. For new deployments, the GRP2602P is generally preferred as the current platform.

Does the Grandstream GXP1628 support PoE?

Yes. The GXP1628 is powered via PoE (802.3af) from any PoE-capable Ethernet switch. A power adapter is also included as an alternative.

Is the Grandstream GXP1628 compatible with Maxotel and other AU hosted PBX providers?

Yes. The GXP1628 registers as a standard SIP device on any hosted PBX platform including AU providers like Maxotel, SIPcity, and VoIPline. Grandstream GDMS supports auto-provisioning for compatible providers.

What is the difference between the GXP1628 and GXP2170?

The GXP2170 has 12 SIP accounts, a 4.3" colour screen, 48 BLF keys, and Gigabit Ethernet. It is the full operator-grade phone in the GXP Classic series. The GXP1628 has 2 SIP accounts, a 2.8" screen, 8 BLF keys, and 100Mbps Ethernet. The GXP1628 is the entry position; the GXP2170 is for operators and power users.

How does the Grandstream GXP1628 compare to the Yealink T31P?

Both are entry-level 2 SIP account PoE phones at similar price points. The T31P has a 3.7" mono screen (larger but monochrome); the GXP1628 has a 2.8" colour screen. The T31P uses 100Mbps Ethernet; the GXP1628 also 100Mbps. Choose based on brand preference and which provisioning system your IT setup handles more conveniently.