appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Keith Chan

With 4G networks widely available in all major cities around the world, getting online when travelling has never been easier and faster.
Yet for those people who have multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets and notebooks, or those who travel in a small group, a portal Wi-fi router will be helpful because you can share Wi-fi with multiple devices using the same data SIM card.
It is also more secure than using hotel or public Wi-fi access because most routers will encrypt data so that no one can steal your personal data.
We review the Fitbit Versa smartwatch: what do a marathon runner and weightlifter think?
While it’s easy to rent a portable 4G Wi-fi router from a vendor, if you travel frequently and don’t want to waste your time collecting or returning the router, it makes better sense to buy your own router.
You can also get one offering better performance and more advanced functions than those provided by the rental companies.
If you often travel ... it makes better sense to buy your own router. You can get one with better performance and more advanced functions than rental versions
 
Before buying your own Wi-fi router, you should make sure that the router is unlocked (which means you can use SIM cards from any telecom carrier) and is compatible with the 4G standard and frequency bands (there are two different 4G LTE standards: TDD-LTE and FDD-LTE) used in your travel destinations.
‘World’s smallest 3-axis stabilised camera’ DJI Osmo Pocket is perfect for on-the-go video
Other considerations include the Wi-fi standards it supports (preferably 802.11ac, which is backward compatible with all previous generations), download/upload speeds, battery life and other additional features, such as a LAN (Local Area Nework) port to connect to broadband and a microSD slot for data storage.
Check out 5 flagship models from the major router manufacturers that would make for a good choice – depending on your needs and budget.
1. Netgear Nighthawk M1

The Nighthawk M1, which costs about HK$2,380 to HK$2,980 (US$300 to US$380) is probably the most advanced model on the market. The router can connect with up to 20 devices at the same time.
It is the industry’s first mobile router to achieve a download speed of up to 1Gbps and upload speed of 150Mbps (by supporting the latest 4G LTE Advanced Pro Category 16 standard). The router supports 802.11ac Wi-fi standard with dual bands (2.5GHz and 5GHz).
Pocket-sized Sony DSC-WX800 digital camera’s zoom lens packs a big punch
Its removable 5040mAh battery is large enough to last for the whole day. A USB Type-C slot is provided to connect with an external hard drive to share data with all the connected devices.
2. Huawei Mobile Wi-fi 2 Pro (E5885)

The Mobile Wi-fi 2 Pro (HK$1,010 to HK$1,140) supports LTE+ Category 6, offering a download speed of up to 300Mbps and 50Mbps for uploads.
The router supports 802.11ac Wi-fi standard with dual bands. It can connect with up to 32 devices. With a large 6400mAh battery, it can last for the whole day, and can also be used as a powerbank to charge other devices.
3. TP-Link M7450

The M7450 (HK$873-HK$1,298) has similar design and performance as Huawei’s E5885, but it has a smaller battery (3000mAh) and cannot be used as a powerbank.
The router supports LTE+ Category 6 with maximum download speed of 300Mbps and 50Mbps for upload.
It supports 802.11ac with dual bands, and can connect with up to 32 devices.
From iPhones to foldables, these are the best new smartphone options in 2019
4. ZTE MF980

The MF980 (available in the United States for about US$200) supports LTE+ Category 9, offering a download speed of up to 450Mbps and upload speed of 50Mbps.
The device supports 802.11ac with dual bands. The router can connect with up to 32 devices.
Its battery, at 2200mAh, is relatively small and can last for only about 10 hours.
Is the Meizu Zero the smartphone of the future?
5. Xiaomi ZMI MF885

If battery life is your primary concern, you should check out Xiaomi’s ZMI MF885.
Designed as both a powerbank and a Wi-fi router, it is equipped with a large 10,000mAh battery.
However, it offers only standard 4G LTE performance, with a download speed of up to 150Mbps and 50Mbps for upload.
Connecting with up to nine devices, it supports Wi-fi 802.11b/g/n standards, but not the latest Wi-fi 802.11ac.
With the price of HK$495 to HK$598, it’s still a good buy, despite its mediocre 4G performance.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter


Chinese regulator drafts rules to protect teenagers from ‘intimate’ AI companions

South Korea wants free ‘AI for All’. Is society ready?

Japan’s ‘Suica penguin’ mascot to be retired and replaced in public vote after 25 years of service

Hong Kong must put child safety on the development agenda

Internet

5 best portable 4G Wi-fi routers to keep you connected on the road

Netgear Nighthawk M1

TP-Link M7450

ZTE MF980

Xiaomi ZMI MF885

Huawei Mobile WiFi 2 Pro (E5885)

The Xiaomi ZMI MF885 router, which can connect with up to nine devices, and can be used as a powerbank.

7 innovations that help Samsung’s Galaxy Fold smartphone catch the eye

Samsung's new Galaxy Fold smartphone features a 4.6-inch screen when folded (above), which opens out into a 7.3-inch tablet. Photo: Samsung/YouTube

Sometimes, you simply have to Google something while also texting and watching YouTube. Photo: Samsung/YouTube

Samsung

"Three on the back, two on the inside, and one on the front." So many cameras! Photo: Samsung

It’s longer battery life we want most from our smartphones, not 5G or gimmicks – survey finds

Samsung’s new Galaxy S10 smartphones, including the S10 Plus (above), were unveiled at an ‘Unpacked event’ in San Francisco on Wednesday. Photo: Bloomberg

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Samsung's Mobile Division President and CEO DJ Koh holds the new Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone during the Samsung Unpacked event on February 20, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Samsung announced a new foldable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Fold, as well as a new Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Buds earphones. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

A member of the media holds a Samsung Electronics Co. Galaxy 10+ smartphone during the Samsung Electronics Co. Unpacked launch event in San Francisco, California, U.S. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Samsung debuted its most extensive new lineup of smartphones, taking on Apple Inc. amid a slowing market with new low-end and premium models, 3-D cameras, an in-screen fingerprint scanner and faster 5G connectivity. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Justin Denison, senior vice president of mobile product marketing for Samsung Electronics Co., speaks during the Samsung Unpacked launch event in San Francisco, California, U.S. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Samsung debuted its most extensive new lineup of smartphones, taking on Apple Inc. amid a slowing market with new low-end and premium models, 3-D cameras, an in-screen fingerprint scanner and faster 5G connectivity. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

epa07368322 (FILE) - A young man looks at Apple's iPhone 8 Plus at the Apple Store of Omotesando shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, 22 September 2017 (reissued 14 February 2019). Gene Levoff, a former Apple lawyer, was charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly conducting insider trading from 2011 to 2016. Levoff was fired from the company in 2018. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

An attendee holds the Samsung Electronics Co. Galaxy S10, left, and the Galaxy S10+ during the Samsung Unpacked launch event in San Francisco, California, U.S. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Samsung debuted its most extensive new lineup of smartphones, taking on Apple Inc. amid a slowing market with new low-end and premium models, 3-D cameras, an in-screen fingerprint scanner and faster 5G connectivity. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

Will Huawei’s foldable smartphone bend it like Beckham at Mobile World Congress 2019?

Rendering of Sony's XZ4. Photo: Onleaks/Twitter

A reportedly leaked photo of Huawei's foldable 5G phone. Photo: Datsfree/Twitter

Rendering of LG's G8 ThinkQ. Photo: Evan Blass/Twitter

Rendering of Xiaomi's Mi Mix3. Photo: Ben Geskin/Twitter

A reportedly leaked advertising from Samsung in Vietnam shows the company's foldable phone.

Rendering of LG's V50. Photo: Evan Blass/Twitter

Rendering of Huawei's P30 smartphone. Photo: Techettle/Twitter

Huawei said it would ‘bring the world’s first 5G smartphones with [a] foldable screen’ to MWC. Photo: Reuters

Magazines

Style

News & Trends

Tech & Design

All major cities offer network access, but Netgear, Huawei, ZTE, Xiaomi and TP-Link devices add security and serve many devices


Explainers: Technology

Technology

5 best portable 4G Wi-fi routers to keep you connected on the road

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}All major cities offer network access, but Netgear, Huawei, ZTE, Xiaomi and TP-Link devices add security and serve many devices

All major cities offer network access, but Netgear, Huawei, ZTE, Xiaomi and TP-Link devices add security and serve many devices