Huawei E5377 4G Mobile Hotspot Test

Mobile routers are now very fashionable. It is true that we can connect to the network using smartphones and tablets, however, there are still many users who having computers would like to use mobile routers to connect to the Internet. Since many users expect more from the mobile routers, the manufacturers of mobile routers supplied new models with new functions. Huawei E5377 4G hotspot is one of them.

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The Huawei E5377 router is a real pocket router. The manufacturer has equipped it a LED display, and next to LED display on the right side is a big switch. The top edge of the body is the menu button, while at the bottom microUSB slot and two antenna connectors covered flap are placed. Remove the rear cover, plug in a valid SIM card and insert the battery. Then we can get connected with internet.

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The Huawei E5377 hotspot is very light and fits comfortably in your hand. The body has a special groove that facilitates its opening. The whole is well matched; there are no gaps, no creaks. The white color looks elegant, but I have a feeling that quickly loses its charm after a few trips in your pocket. Unfortunately, the white body gets dirty easily turning to gray. Especially since the material used is rough, making it easier to absorb dust and pollen. I personally like the black color, which is also recommended by Huawei.

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As can be seen, Huawei E5377 router can handle both 3G and LTE. The difference between these technologies laid primarily in the transfer data rates. In the case of LTE, the speed can be several times higher than in the 3G (LTE, currently can achieve up to 55 ~ 85Mbps), the theoretical standard specification provides for even more than double the download speed to 150Mbps. The E5377 router can install a memory card of up to 32GB. This way we can use it, for example. As a memory stick, the contents of which we can share with other users. And maximum of 10 users could get connected with the E5377 hotspot through WiFi. The equipped battery in E5377 already wrote. The manufacturer says that it is sufficient for 6 hours operation. Reading the rest of the text, you will find out how the E5377 performs.

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Let’s see the user interface. The Huawei E5377 router can be setup in two ways: through the menu and the power buttons on the wireless router, or through the Web browser. The latter method (or browser) is definitely easier to use while offering more options, which is recommended. Just run the router, enter the password for the network (the default SSID is HUAWEI-E5377-XXX) that are on the label under the battery, enter the address into your browser: 192.168.8.1 … and that’s it. You can also download the Huawei Mobile WiFi APP for Android or iOS to setup the Huawei E5377 Router.

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The interface is very easy to use, although I admit that it could work a little faster. Some pages refresh slowly, but enough to do common settings. The application is very simple, and consists of a main menu in the upper part of the window, pop-up menu on the left and the main window where you set the individual parameters. The launch window is equipped with three large buttons, which can enable or disable the router, stop cellular data transmission, and enable/disable WiFi. At any time by selecting Statistics, you can check the amount of data sent and received, check out who is connected to the network, etc. Prepared menu also allows you to send and read SMS messages.

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The most important item on the menu are the Settings. This is where you configure network access, sharing WiFi, Ethernet settings (one can use the USB – LAN), etc.. The manufacturer has not forgotten the safety at different levels, we can verify your MAC Address, IP, etc. There are of course several custom functions such as the ability to prioritize users, the ability to define a virtual server. We also have a NAT, UPnP, DMZ … if you think this is not enough, but we need not everything if we use the router as a temporary Internet source during a weekend trip out of town. Actually, I would like to recommend use the main stationary router access to the network at home rather huawei E5377.

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The already mentioned Menu and Power buttons also enable us to navigate through it – to select various options and approve them. Using this software, we can switch the operation of the device mode 2.4GHz to 5 GHz. We can also check the settings of the wireless network, such as its SSID, password and IP address of the router, you can start the WPS function and set E5377 to the operation extender whether to enable or disable data roaming. We also have the ability to reset the router. What interesting is the ability to display 2D code (QR Code), with which we can quickly enter the security code network, or run applications that allows device management from a smartphone equipped with Android system. The menu is simple, fast, and easy to understand and do settings.

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Summary
Huawei E5377 looks elegant, fits in your pocket, and is easy to use. Here now there are many new successors available with better technologies such as Huawei E5786 or Huawei E5787. If you don’t have high demand for the pocket WiFi, huawei E5377 is recommend as a budget mobile partner!

Huawei E5377 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot Review

Some years after the launch of LTE, there is already a wide range of mobile LTE routers with integrated battery. Especially the Chinese manufacturer Huawei, who is clearly the market leader in this segment, offered many models. But not every user requires the best and most expensive equipment, therefore the Huawei E5377 is now a very compact, lightweight mobile LTE hotspot available, which is still very good technical equipment.

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Smaller and lighter 4G hotspot

Weighing approximately 80 grams, the Huawei E5377 is very light and is very good in the hand or transported in a pocket. With long time use, it becomes quite warm, but the operating temperature is always at an appropriate level.

On the front of the Huawei E5377, between the Huawei logo and the power button, there is a square display, where a variety of information such as reception, network technology, the spent data volume are shown clearly. The display is not permanently lit to save energy, it only turns on when you press the power button or a wireless device is connected.  Furthermore, you can find a menu button on the top edge, with which you can make a few settings in combination with the power button. Thus, for example the ability to display a QR code through which smartphones or tablets enter into the App Store by scanning the code. There Huawei HiLink app can be downloaded. With this app, further adjustments can be done to the E5377, such as change the wireless network name or password.

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Special feature: wireless repeater

In addition to the controller via the Huawei HiLink app, an access to the Huawei E5377 via any browser is possible. The default IP is 192.168.8.1. The web interface responds quickly and provides the most important settings. A special feature is the wireless repeater function, with which you will be able to log the Huawei E5377 into an existing wireless network and this order can be used as an Internet access. The advantage of this solution is, for example, that you can save data volume in mobile network as soon as you use the repeater.

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Fast LTE to 150 Mbit/s

The integrated modem in Huawei E5377 supports the three wireless standards GSM (2G), UMTS (3G) and LTE (4G). Depending on the wireless technology, different speeds are possible. So LTE category 4 up to 150 Mbit/s downstream and 50 Mbit/s upload speeds are possible. In the UMTS network, speeds are up to 42.2 Mbit/s accessible via DC-HSPA+. Good to know: The Huawei E5377 router is compatible with all major European LTE frequency bands and supports quad-band GSM and dual-band UMTS in many countries for worldwide use.

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The reception is good both in the LTE network and the UMTS network. Even in weak regions, you can often surf more easily with the E5377. You’d better put the E5377 router close to the window or even outdoors, because there the reception is usually best. By the way, there are two connections for external antennas; you can amplify the reception with an external LTE antenna, thus increasing its speed. The important thing is that the antenna cable has plugs type TS-9. These adapters are often called “pigtail” and are available in all good electronics stores.

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WLAN at 2.4 and 5 GHz

A maximum of 10 devices can be connected with Huawei E5377 simultaneously via WLAN. Another device also can connect via USB. The wireless speed is up to 300 Mbit/s, on request, instead of the 2.4 GHz frequency band, WLAN in the region are running at 5 GHz. This is particularly appropriate when the 2.4 GHz band is overloaded or interference. The wireless frequency can be changed in the software of Huawei E5377. The WiFi range was very satisfactory in the test. The 2.4 GHz signal was still usable by two walls at a distance of about 8 meters. Unfortunately an external wireless LAN antenna cannot connect.

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Up to 6 hours operating time with battery

The model battery of Huawei hotspot E5377 is easily replaceable by the user. It has a capacity of 1500 mAh and provides an operating time of about 6 hours. Unfortunately, no power adapter is included so that one is forced to connect the E5377 4G router to a USB port on the computer or on an existing USB power adapter. Compared to other devices, such as the Huawei E5786, the operating time is quite short – but it is possible to buy a second battery, thereby extending the duration.

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Conclusion

The Huawei E5377 has consistently convinced with good performance in the test. The Internet connection is very fast, the receive and transmit performance is good and the WLAN transmits on request at 5 GHz. Also very pleasant are the compact size and very low weight. Only the battery could be considered a point of criticism, as compared to other mobile wireless hotspots with large battery such as Huawei E5770 and E5771. The Huawei E5377 is now available at www.4gltemall.com. The unlocked version could be used worldwide without any limit.