What devices should I buy for my organisation?

This question comes up often and isn’t always simple to answer.

Organisations ideally need to understand the use case for the devices to be selected. This could be normal knowledge worker devices for employees needing a corporate phone, something tough (doesn’t need to be rugged) to withstand harsher environments, or something bespoke such as a kiosk on a reception desk used for checking in or something with an integrated printer/scanner.

After this, consider the minimum Android version required for the features the organisation needs. For example, work profile pausing requires Android 14, Private Space requires Android 15, and the latest provisioning improvements require Android 16. More version-specific comparisons are available in considerations when migrating from device administrator to Android Enterprise.

Additionally, consider:

• Zero-touch support - if the organisation wants hands-off provisioning, ensure the OEM and reseller support zero-touch enrolment
• OEMConfig availability - for Samsung (Knox Service Plugin), Zebra, Honeywell, and others, OEMConfig provides extended management capabilities beyond stock Android Enterprise
• Security update commitment - look for devices offering at least 3-5 years of security patches
• GMS certification - ensure the device is Play Protect certified, as uncertified devices do not support Android Enterprise

The Android Enterprise partner directory is a good starting point for identifying validated devices. If nothing suits requirements, get in touch and I’ll try to help out!