Earlier this month networking and enterprise VoIP giant Cisco Systems announced a brand new series of VoIP phones – the 6900 series.

First you’ve heard? Don’t feel bad.

The 6900 series seemed to have been launched with out a powerful marketing push. After diving in deeper, I found out why.

The new 6900 series of VoIP phones from Cisco are an interesting move for the company as they seem to buck a number of trends. Not just for Cisco, but the VoIP industry in general.

Upon first sight you’ll notice something different about these new VoIP phones. They’re ugly. Gone is the slick styling that businesses of all sizes have grown to crave, replaced by a rather basic and drab aesthetic.

Next, the phones support SCCP, Cisco’s proprietary VoIP protocol. That’s right. They’re not SIP and there is no SIP support. Sorry all of you open source and open source based fans.

Lastly, the 6900 series is reportedly a response to the need for a more “economical” solution. But at a reported cost of between $250 and $750 per phone, that statement is a stretch.

(There’s also no G.722 wideband codec support)

Now the 6900 series isn’t all bad news.

The new series are more energy efficient thanks to a Deep-Sleep mode which allows the phones to consume 50% less power during off hours. In addition to increased energy efficiency, the phones can also be had in white or black.

Neither of these, however, are really that exciting.

Given the design aesthetic, lack of SIP support and overall price points one has to think these will be a tough sell – even with the Cisco name on it.