Huawei E5377 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Test

We had generally reviewed the new mobile WiFi Hotspot Huawei E5377. This week, we get the sample and it’s time to do a test with this new gadget. Users can get some useful information. The Huawei E5377 comes in a very small cardboard box like other Huawei mobile WiFi hotspots. There is only a short USB 2.0 Cable in the box, no other accessories could be found except for Quick Reference Guide and the security warning. Thus, users must unfortunately get a power supply, but this should not be a problem for most users, because ordinary AC adapter with micro USB port can connect the USB cable. If user has a mobile phone, the power adapter would work.

 

 

When we take Huawei E5377 in the hand, we feel the E5377 is very small and light. The black surface is quite valuable and not prone to fingerprints. Compared to other mobile hotspots such as the predecessor Huawei E5372 or the big brother Huawei E5786, Huawei E5377 is much more compact, which is quite an advantage if you want to carry the device in one hand or in the pocket. It is simple to power on the Huawei E5377: remove battery cover, Insert SIM (nano-SIM), insert battery and press power button on the front.  

 

Operation of the Huawei E5377 is done via any browser on the web interface (address: 192.168.8.1) or via the Huawei HiLink app on your smartphone or tablet. The app is available for Android and iOS; if you are using a Windows Phone, you are forced to use the web interface to setup the mobile Wifi E5377. User can do the most important settings through the two methods. Further things such as the choice of mobile technology or the establishment of the wireless repeater can be made. Overall, the web interface is very fast and has many features; the design is now a little dusty and in need of optimization. On the other hand, the HiLink app on smartphones and tablets looks very modern and fresh, and it offers a wide range of functions. All information is quickly and easily visible via the APP, so most users may not be relevant to the web interface in the browser. To load the HiLink app, you can find a QR code is displayed on the Huawei E5377 and it leads directly into the App Store.

 

 

A few functions can be set using the button on the front of the Huawei E5377 for example, the WLAN frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), the use of data roaming, or wireless repeater. The LED displays status information, such as the consumption data, the online time or receipt. Also, the battery status (in percent) and the network technology are displayed. The display of the Huawei E5377 is easy to read in spite of low resolution. The link data such as the correct access point (APN) will be entered automatically by the device based on the SIM card. In our test on Huawei E5377, the APN for the network provider need to set manually.

 

 

Huawei E5377 has a modem chipset from Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon. The modem can support FDD-LTE by Category 4 with up to 150 Mbit/s in the downlink and 50 Mbit/s in the uplink on the frequency bands around 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz. In addition, TDD-LTE is supported in the frequency range 2300 MHz, this can be quite useful for a trip to Asia. Of course, the device is backward compatible with UMTS and GSM; On UMTS networks, Huawei E5377 supports DC-HSPA+ downlink speed to 42.2 Mbps. The receiver performance is good on LTE networks. The reception brother Huawei E5786 is a bit better especially with LTE on 800MHz. Huawei E5377 with UMTS 2100 MHz has good performance in the test. Next to the micro-USB connector under a cover, two connections for an external antenna (type TS-9) are available (Buy Huawei E5377 antenna from here: http://www.4gltemall.com/4g-antenna-two-ts-9-connector.html ) . Means Pigtail Adapter TS-9 to SMA can use all standard antennas with SMA connector. In the test with a LTE Antenna with two connectors, data rates in both uplink and downlink could be significantly increased.

 

 

The WLAN module of the Huawei E5377 can supply up to 10 devices simultaneously with wireless Internet. Another extra device can be connected using a USB connection to the E5377 router. The maximum data rate when tested at the 300 Mbit/s (according to Windows). Despite support for wireless 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, the latest WLAN standard ac is not integrated. The connection speed is absolutely sufficient for the full 150 Mbit/s. The particular feature of Huawei E5377 is the integrated wireless repeater. Once configured, it will automatically move from mobile to WLAN.  Here you can then connect the E5377, which sends the signal via its own Wi-Fi at up to 10 devices.  

 

The unsatisfied feature at the Huawei E5377 is the battery: it has a capacity of 1500 mAh and provides an operating time of more than 6 hours, for outdoor use, it could ever become shorter. Fortunately, the battery is removable, so you can have a spare battery type HB554666RAW to replace it when power off. Alternatively, there is a battery with 1780 mAh for the Huawei E5377, this provides a longer operating time and costs little more. The Huawei E5377 LTE Hotspot is available with dimensions of 9.35 x 5.71 x 1.44 inches and a weight of just 82 grams including the battery; it’s one of the smallest and lightest mobile LTE routers on the market. Nevertheless, Huawei E5377 offers a very good quality. Huawei mobile WiFi series provides wonderful experience for network connection. The Huawei E5377 is the latest one and would become a new star!  

 

 

Vodafone R216 and R216-Z 4G LTE Router

Vodafone Introduced new mobile hotspots this year from the manufacturer Huawei and ZTE. Vodafone customized its brand to them and put them in its product range. As we introduced before, Vodafone R226 is a high-end LTE Pocket WiFi Router, now Vodafone Group introduced two new mid-price range MiFi hotspot Vodafone R216 (manufacturer by Huawei) and Vodafone R216-Z (manufacturer by ZTE). Both of them can support LTE Cat4 with up to 150Mbit/s in the downlink and have a powerful module with 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

 

 

 

Vodafone R216 is the successor of the Vodafone R215 mobile WiFi. They are both made by Huawei. There are three LEDs on the front of R216. The battery, message and network status can be shown on the LEDs. If user wantS to know more information, the Vodafone Mobile WiFi App (for smartphone and tablet) may help. User can also log in the web interface in browser to check more details. The Vodafone R216 is available for black and white color with replaceable battery for capacity of 1500mAh, which can continue working for 6 to 8 hours.

 

 

The R216 could support almost all the mainstream LTE frequency bands (800/850/900/1800/2600 MHz) in Europe. The chipset in Vodafone R216 comes from Huawei HiSilicon Balong 711. It can support the maximum download speed to 150mbps based on the LTE category 4 technologies. In addition, the DC-HSPA+ and GSM/EDGE network could also be backward supported. On the DC-HSPA+ download speed to 42.2Mbps and upload speed to 5.76Mbps.  

 

Vodafoe R216-Z is manufactured by ZTE, so it’s also called ZTE R216-z. The R216-Z is better than Huawei R216 because R216-Z has a battery of 2300mAh capacity, which is slightly stronger and there is a wireless repeater function. The R216-Z supports the same frequencies and radio technologies as Huawei R216, but the chipset comes from Qualcomm MDM9225, not Hisilicon modem.  

 

Vodafone R216 and R216-Z both look cool, but it seems Vodafone R216-Z is better than R216-Z. We will introduce more details when we get the sample and test them. We suppose users may get some tips from our test.

Huawei E5786 – World’s first LTE Advanced Router

You may think the device is a new Huawei quite cheap-looking phone as you want. However, as the unique representative, Huawei E5786 is on behalf of the Chinese network technology. The E5786 makes Huawei became the first company to introduce a router for new technologies of LTE Category 6.  It is the world's first mobile wireless router that also supports LTE networks of Category 6, the so-called LTE Advanced, which provides the double speed than the current LTE category 4 technology.

 

So the Huawei E5786 router offers data rates up to 300 Mbit/s, while previous cat-4 models provides only peak speed to 150 Mbit/s. Of course, a network operator must also once support these speeds - currently 100 Mbit/s is available in most European countries. However, you will already be prepared for the future with the E5786. Just recently, the German Telekom has proven that at least in theory, he could realize data rates of 580 Mbps. In addition, the E5786 LTE router of course also offers the possibility those 3G networks with up to 42 Mbit/s to use downstream. On WLAN all current standards are supported: 802.11 a / b/g/n/ac.

 

The E5786 router equipment is thin and in pocket size, and there is only one interface for USB. The SIM card slot is just at the side of a microSD memory card slot. The Huawei E5786 router could be managed via the web interface or via an app(Huawei Mobile WiFi app), the top-mounted display also allows the retrieval of the current settings from an extensive menu. Further more, there is even a connection for an external antenna hiding behind the removable cover.

A 3000mAh battery should make for enough battery life to last a working day with one or two devices connected. Add more phones or tablets or start leaning heavily on the Wi-Fi and you’ll see battery life drop quickly, though. The E5786 is 15.9mm thick, weighs 149g, and is apparently inspired by the curve of a rainbow.  

 

Here now, many network providers introduced the Huawei E5786 to their plan, which makes E5786 have many variant models. As we know, there are Huawei E5786s-32a (Speedbox LTE mini II), E5786s-62a (Telstra Wi-Fi 4G Advanced Pro X), and E5786s-63a (Optus WiFi Modem) LTE products. But there is unlocked units of Huawei E5786 on www.4gltemall.com and user can use the Huawe E5786 freely without limit.

Huawei E5377 4G Mobile Hotspot Review

At the beginning of the New Year, Huawei release many new models to the market, including USB sticks, mobile hotspots and wireless routers. We believe they have better performance than the predecessors to support the upgraded networks from providers. We get a new 4G LTE pocket WiFi Huawei E5377 in white color this week. If you had read our introduction, you may still remember the brother model Huawei E5372. Their names are similar and most of features are also same.

 

The E5377 has a 1.45inch LCD screen which is to show the important information when working. The network providers' name, battery status, connected users, signal strength and used data will show in the screen. The huawei logo and power button are at the two sides of the screen. Like huawei E5372, E5377 has two external antenna connectors in case poor signal. The Huawei E5377 is also pocket sized and easy to take in hand outdoors or on trip.

 

On the top side, the Menu button is there for operation. At the below side, the two ports for external antenna are covered a cap. The back cover is removable and the battery is rechargeable and changeable. The MicroSD card can be used in the E5377, and user can share the files or documents in SD card to connected users. Up to 10 wireless devices could get connected with the E5377 hotspot. Aside from allowing up to 10 WiFi devices to connect to the AP, the E5377 can last up to 6 hours on a single full charge. The older models have between 4 to 5 hours so 6 hours on the new one is around 20-30% longer. Before sharing the contents in SD card, user has to setup to let them free to access. Unlike Netgear wireless aircard, users has to log in the admin panel via web browser or huawei mobile Wifi APP.

 

The attracting feature for Huawei E5377 is that it could fast connect in 5 seconds. It can support the peak download speed to 150Mbps and upload speed to 50mbps based on Qualcomm chipset MDM9625. Aside from the LTE capability, the WiFi AP supports dual band at 2.4GHz and 5GHz. User can choose between the usual 2.4GHz WiFi band or switch to the 5GHz band. The dual-band capability allows for less interference, faster wireless speeds, and more channels to choose from.

 

 

Actually, Huawei E5377 has a brother partner E5377T, with the “T”, E5377T has larger power capacity and is thicker than E5377. Some users may need longer working time, the E5377T can work much longer than no “T”. If you want to buy them, you can check www.4gltemall.com .      

Netgear Aircard AC790S 4G LTE Cat6 Mobile Hotspot

It seems the LTE category 4 UEs are now the mainstream in the market. More and more wireless routers, mobile hotspots or USB dongles are available to better support the upgraded networks from the operators. But we also see some new devices with new technology which is available for some providers. We had introduced two LTE Category 6 mobile hotspots last year: Huawei E5786 and ZTE flare. Today, we will intoduce a new LTE pocket WiFi router Netgear 790s.   The Netgear 790s also named aircard AC790s. It's now available for Australian network provide Telstra. And it's named Telstra 4G WiFi Advanced II which is upgraded from its predecessor Netgear AC782s. The Aircard 782s is a LTE Cat4 mobile WiFi which supports peak download speed to 150Mbps and upload speed to 50Mbps. The upgraded Aicard 790s could achieve double speed than AC782s, i.e 300Mbps for downstream. It's amazing!   The appearance of AC790s looks similar to Aircard 782s but seems cooler. With more powerful battery, AC790s could work much longer time than its predecessor. Aircard 790s is decently sized, fitting into your palm. On the bottom, you can find two external antenna ports, a microUSB 3 port (though only a microUSB 2 cable is included in the box) – presumably to make the most out of tethering over USB. On top, there is a power button.   The front of Netgear AC790S is a touchscreen, with home and back capacitive buttons on the right side. User can operate the major features and the settings here and don’t need to open up the Aircard APP or the web based UE. User can see the connected devices quantity and change WiFi settings(enable dual band WiFi, block/unblock devices by MAC, turn on guest wifi, easily connect devices that support WPS). User can also enable the airplane mode, change network settings such as lock to 3G, 4G or Auto mode, view the network status, and see the data usage at a glance.   The back of Aircard 790s is equipped with a removable battery, with the micro-SIM slot hidden underneath. So before power on, you’ll need to pull the battery out to swap cards around. The “Telstra” logo is on the top left, with ‘WiFi Advanced’ also stamped on the front. The battery cover on the back has a subtle ‘Netgear’ logo included. The Telstra Wi-Fi 4G Advanced II is a excellent mobile hotspot for anyone who needs the internet while on the go; with support for to get the best out of 4G today, and ready for more 4G into the future.    

Netgear Aircard AC785S 4G Mobile Hotspot Review

After acquisition of Sierra Wireless, Netgear has expanded the range of wireless products such as wireless aircards. Now many new products come available in Europe and Australia. Now we get the new mobile pocket router from Netgear, model number is Aircard 785s hotspot.

Netgear Aircard 785s Appearance

 

The Aircard 785s comes in a small box. With the AC785S, there is a battery with a capacity of 2000mAh and A USB cable for charging power with output of 1A at 5V. Both the front and the back are decorated with triangular elements. This feature not only looks good, but also raises it from other boring designed models from competitors.  On the back, there is only “Netgear” logo on it. At the bottom side, there are two external antenna connectors. They are TS-9 type and covered by small cap. Between the two antenna connectors, one micro USB interface is used for power charge. The battery for the Netgear AC785s is removable and the Micro SIM card is covered by battery. The stick at the side of SIM card slot lists the model number Aircard 785s, IMEI number and MAC ID for the AC785S.  

 

The power button is on the top side of the body, and the microSD card slot is beside the power button. Once you have inserted the MicroSIM and its battery, and closed the door on the back, you can start the device using the power button on the top.  The color display on the front provides all the key information such as network operator, SSID and wifi code, battery status, data used and signal strength etc.

 

Aircard AC785S Technical Features

 

To setup the Aircard 785s, no other devices are required. All essential settings can be done directly on the display and the buttons on the top side. Up to 15 devices can be simultaneously connected via Wi-Fi with the AC785s. The wireless password is displayed on the screen. If you want to make additional settings on the device or want to see information, Netgear has developed a very good app for Android and iOS; almost all possible settings can be made with the APP. You can also access to the router via a web interface in the PC browser.

 

Netgear AC785S could support LTE, UMTS and GSM networks. With the LTE Category 4 technology, Aircard 785s could reach peak download speed to 150Mbps and upload speed to 50mbps. It can work well on the LTE-FDD Frequency bands around 800/850/900/1800/2100/2600MHz and TD-LTE band 2600MHz. This feature makes the AC785S could roam all over the world, but it’s not suitable for North America. On the UMTS network, the data speed could reach up to 42Mbps and upload speed to 5.76Mbps.  

 

Netgear AC785S External Antenna

 

If you want the Netgear 785s works better in rural areas with weak signal, the external antenna may be necessary. You need buy 4G Antenna with two Ts-9 connectors. The antenna is now available on 4gltemall.com . The antenna could support MIMO technology which improves the data transfer rates.