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!