Today we are reviewing the Huawei Brovi E5576 4G router. The router is not just a mobile router, but a pocket router, and it can provide Internet access to up to 16 devices. Let’s see what else it can do.
Read also: Nokia Go Earbuds 2 Pro TWS headset review
Huawei Brovi E5576-325 specifications
- Communication standard: LTE Cat.4
- Interfaces: microUSB, SIM card slot (Mini-SIM)
- Antennas: 2 internal LTE/UMTS
- Frequency: 2.4 GHz
- Bandwidth: input – up to 150 Mbps, output – up to 50 Mbps
- Number of devices for simultaneous connection: 16
- Processor: Balong
- Power supply: mains, battery (1,500 mAh, 5 W)
- Working time: up to 6 hours, 350 hours in standby mode
- Dimensions: 100×58×14 mm
- Weight: 72 g
- Additional features: Wi-Fi 4, indication on the case, support for guest mode, bridge mode, auto shutdown, SMS operation, WLAN/firewall/NAT/DHCP settings, automatic switch of LTE/UTMS/Wi-Fi access modes, PIN code control
Package contents
The review is based on a test sample, so the router arrived in a simple white box with the device name and a sticker with key features. Everything you need is inside the box: Huawei E5576-325 with a battery, a USB-A-microUSB power cable, and a user manual.
Read also:
- What is Wi-Fi 6 and what makes it better than previous standards
- Tecno CPE TR210 and Tecno TR118 Portable Routers Review
Appearance
One of the features of the Huawei Brovi E5576-325 4G router is its portability: its dimensions are 100×58×14 mm and it is about the size of half a smartphone, give or take. The device weighs only 72 g, so you can easily throw it in your bag or just in your pocket – it won’t take up much space.
The case is made of high-quality matte plastic, the glossy panel is provided only on the top, under which the charge and connection indication is hidden. The colors of the case are universal – white on the top and bottom and black on the sides and a stripe on the top. The shape of the device is rectangular with rounded corners.
The main elements are located at the ends. There’s a power button on one side and a microUSB charging port on the other.
The SIM card slot is hidden inside under the battery, so to get to it, you have to remove the cover and take out the battery. To make it more convenient, there is a small gap at one of the corners from the bottom. The lid fits tightly, so you’ll need to apply a little effort to open it.
Connecting and setting up
In general, you can connect to the router directly, without additional software. To set up Huawei E5576-325, you can use the proprietary AI Life app on your smartphone.
By the way, in Ukraine, the model is called E5576-325, and AI Life recognizes it as Huawei Mobile WiFi 3s. The device is fresh, so apart from the fact that you can simply connect to the router via the app, other features are not yet available. They should appear later. However, we still have the option of setting up through the browser.
The web interface for Huawei Brovi E5576-325 is quite simple and consists mainly of basic functions. The main menu is located at the top, and in the right corner there is quick access to popular tools (“SMS”, “Update”, “Logout” and “Reboot”) and a language change. By the way, Ukrainian is available here, which is, of course, a big plus.
Let’s take a quick look at all the menu items. The first item is “Home”, which displays the connection status, current data transfer rate, and the number of connected devices. Next is Mobile Network, which enables access to the network and its automatic selection, as well as roaming.
The Wi-Fi settings item allows you to change the network name, password, and enable guest mode. The “Devices” tab shows the gadgets connected to the router and allows you to disable unnecessary ones. The Tools tab contains a menu for working with SMS: group SMS campaigns, creating, sending, deleting text messages, etc. Below is the statistics table, where you can find out the approximate traffic per day and month and the total connection time.
The last item “Advanced”, as the name implies, hides all the additional settings and firmware updates. In the Wi-Fi menu, you can configure the auto-off time, bandwidth, channels, MAC filter, and WPS connection. In the “Router” menu, the bridge mode is enabled and access to DHCP settings is opened. The Security item allows you to manage the firewall and LAN IP address filter, grant permission to individual programs, block websites, and configure DMZ, SIP ALG, UPnP, and a virtual server. “The System section includes tools for diagnosing and checking the connection, rebooting, copying and resetting settings, changing the password, and working with the PIN.
In general, although the interface looks a bit old-fashioned, it is logical and not overloaded, which many people will find a plus.
How Huawei Brovi E5576 works
Huawei Brovi E5576-325 has a bandwidth of up to 150 Mbps for receiving and up to 50 Mbps for sending. The wireless module here is Wi-Fi 4 (or IEEE 802.11b/g/n) and the Internet is distributed in the 2.4 GHz band only. It supports simultaneous connection of up to 16 devices.
Of course, the data transfer speed depends on a number of factors, including which operator you use, the local coverage quality, and how many devices are connected. For the test, I used a Kyivstar SIM card, and when connecting one device, the speed reached 32 Mbps for the “input” and up to 24 Mbps for the “output”. In general, this speed is enough for adequate work: surfing, chatting in instant messengers, social networks, and YouTube was enough. It is also enough with two connected devices – I had no problems with data transfer when I simultaneously connected a laptop and a smartphone.
As for the stability of the connection, everything was fine during the testing period. Within the apartment of a standard high-rise building, one wall, although it is an obstacle and “loses” the speed, still allows you to maintain a more or less stable signal. But such a compact device does not pass the test with two walls, which, given the design and the positioning of the router in general, is not surprising. The highest speed is achieved when you are as close as possible to the router: the closer you are to the “Wi-Fi source”, the better and more stable the signal.
Battery life
The router can also be powered by a cable, so you don’t have to worry about the battery life, and the built-in battery is also very reliable. It has a 1500 mAh capacity and, according to the manufacturer, the battery life is 6 hours. In standby mode, the charge will last up to 350 hours, which is more than two weeks. At the same time, the router charges in about 1.5 hours.
Of course, 6 hours is not a record for a mobile 4G router, but it is quite adequate for such a small device. You can survive a scheduled power outage without any problems, and you can stretch this battery life even when you’re on the road or out and about.
A handy feature that will help you save battery power is the auto shutdown. It can be set for 10, 20, or 30 minutes, and then, if no device is connected to the router, it will simply turn off.
Conclusion
First of all, Huawei E5576-325 does an excellent job of its main task – it converts mobile Internet to Wi-Fi, provides a stable connection and saves the smartphone from this work, while preserving its charge. Yes, you’ll need to allocate a separate SIM card for it and remember to top up your account, but in today’s reality, this is not a luxury, but a necessity.
The Huawei router is truly mobile, you can take it anywhere without any problems, and it has a nice design and supports up to 16 devices. The battery life of 6 hours is not impressive, but it’s more than enough to keep in touch with your family, find out what’s going on in the world, or even work.
Read also: