WiFi routers and power banks are two common accessories for smartphones and tablets. Power banks especially considered very essential as current crop of smartphones and tablets, due to their high end hardware, usually have poor battery life. On the other hand, a WiFi router helps creating a WiFi hotspot anywhere and anytime. Of course, using one’s smartphone or tablet, one can create a WiFi hotspot anywhere but that would deplete the device’s battery juice very quickly.
Huawei, which is a leading maker of both WiFi routers and power banks, has now come out with a device that combines the benefits of the two. The product, called Huawei E5730, is available for Rs 5,999. We have used the E5730 for more than two weeks and here is our take on the E5730.
To start with, the device looks like any other WiFi router with a plastic outer shell but feels like a quality product. All sides of the device come with matte finish except one that has glossy finish. This glossy part contains the power button alongside five LED indicators for LAN, Network, WiFi, Battery, and Message.
A LAN port is there in the E5730 besides which lies a micro USB port for charging the device. A full sized USB port lies besides that using which you can charge other devices.
The E5730 has a non-removable battery. It has nonetheless a removable back panel, and under that there is a SIM card slot. So you can create a WiFi hotspot using this router by either using a SIM card or using a LAN input. A reset button is also there besides the SIM slot. Also, vital information regarding the set up including WiFi key, SSDI, user name and password are written alongside the SIM slot.
Setting up connection via LAN is as easy as the SIM method. You just need to power on the device to create a WiFi zone. Then from your laptop or PC (WiFi enabled), go to the IP mentioned inside the back cover. Put the user name and password and you are good to go. Since it is not locked to any operator, you can use a SIM card of any operator in this device. Moreover, its auto redirect function allows you to switch from WAN to LAN automatically.
The Huawei E5730 is able to create WiFi Hotspot for 10 devices, offering download speed of upto 21.6 Mbps and upload speed of uptp 5.76 Mbps. The range of WiFi is also quite good, we managed to had a good signal in a range of about 10 meters. As a power bank also, the device can hold onto charge for several days altogether and with full power it can recharge a smartphone of about 2000 mAh for about 4 times.
Images by Sushil Kumar