ZTE U30AIR 5G Wi-Fi pocket Router – High-Speed 5G Connectivity, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Seamless Streaming & Gaming, Easy Setup, Portable, Supports Multiple Devices

I bought this ZTE kit for last week's half-term family traveling. Amazon delivery was quick and the U10S device has been amazing. No complicated setup needed and works everywhere we've been during the holiday. The little gadget gives fast 4G+ speeds, connects with all our family’s devices and fits perfectly in your pocket. Absolutely a lifesaver for work and holidays!

Small and smart looking 110x65x18 mm light weight and pocket sized. What looks like the screen is simply a shiny black panel with 4 LED indicators down one side. Came with over 50% charge so was no delay in setting up. Micro sim fits easily in the covered slot on the base. There is a WPS button and an ON/OFF button on the base - both are activated by pushing for 5 seconds. With an activated sim in the router the turn on to internet connection takes only about 30 seconds. I dumped the DATA only SMARTY sim and used one I already own. The passwords for wifi and router access are on the label on the back - I used my PC to access the setup in USB mode - 192.168.0.1 and enter the router password - once into the admin page changed router password, wifi password and SSID. WIFI can be turned off if USB mode only is needed. In my front room at peak times I get around 8 Mb/s download over USB - with the router in an upstairs window and with the shiny black panel pointed at the cell tower I get between 20 and 35Mb/s download over the 2.4Ghz wifi.I don't know how long a battery charge lasts but is stated at 10 hours - time will tell.Only negative points so far are the shape - it is not so good for standing on its base and can't be stood on its base with USB cable attached - I 3D printed a stand in PETG that I found on thingiverse which acts as a stable stand with USB access and easy orientation towards a cell tower. (search ZTE)Not sure how many wifi devices can be attached to the router as I only use one PC with wifi.For the money this little USB modem router is very goodOne thing to be aware of - if using Windows 11 or 10 in USB mode the device loads software onto your PC - I found this to be a problem so restored my W11 PC and now only use the wifi to connect.In Linux Mint the device works in USB mode with no issues.

ZTE U30AIR 5G Wi-Fi pocket Router – High-Speed 5G Connectivity, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Seamless Streaming & Gaming, Easy Setup, Portable, Supports Multiple DevicesI recently updated to this from a cheap 4G ZTE mifi which served me well for 2 years. I use it with an unlimited payg data sim to avoid the financial enslavement and ever worsening service that comes as standard with UK broadband contracts.Previous routers and mifis all handily had the password on the back. With this one it is so well hidden that Amazon customer services had to help me locate it. Finding the password involves taking the back off the mifi (every single time). The plastic clips holding the back on don't seem overly robust. This necessitated a diy approach where I made my own sticker. This avoided repeated dismantling during that period where I was finding yet another item that needed the new password to connect.My previous mifi could easily be propped up. Not so with this one. The addition of a phone holder overcame this nicely.This mifi has an energy saving feature where the lights indicating charge level and signal strength turn off to save battery. There is no override, apart from to manually press the on button to see the lights for a few seconds. Consequently it does often run out of charge as I have forgotten to check it. When charging the indicator lights do stay on. The charging light flashes and changes from red (deceased) to blue (so so) to white (yay! ready to go all day - maybe). The white status doesn't differentiate between only just turned white and fully charged. If it is only just on the white it will not last the stated time. Unfortunately when taken off charge the battery indicator will just show solid white so there is no way to ascertain if it is really fully charged.I am on the edge of a 5G area. It should only work outdoors. However, I am consistently getting 5G via this mifi indoors, in a concrete / metal building with other floors above, and several buildings and half a mile between me and the 5G mast. That seems quite impressive.This was the cheapest 5G mifi I could find from a reputable manufacturer. Despite the secrecy over the password and charge level display it's good value for money and performs very well. Recommended.