We featured this HSPA+ capable mobile hotspot from ZTE a few weeks ago and we’ve finally gotten a review unit to test. Like many other pocket WiFi (MiFi) devices before it, the ZTE MF60 is one pretty kick-ass unit. If only it were more affordable.
The ZTE MF60 looks like your typical portable mobile hotspot device — small, lightweight, bar soap shaped 3G/WiFi router. Unlike the previous ones we’ve seen and reviewed here, this one actually supports HSPA+ networks — just like the Tonino Lamborghini Tattoo stick and the Smart Bro Rocket.
That means you can theoretically reach as fast as 21Mbps over mobile internet. Of course locally, we only have Globe promising up to 10Mbps and up to 12Mbps with Smart on their respective HSPA+ networks.
The performance, coverage and actual street speeds of the telcos are another matter altogether. Here’s our collective speed tests for Globe HSPA+ and Smart HSPA+.
Given these initial test data as control points, we tried out the ZTE MF60 if it can achieve similar or better results.
The MF60 comes with the usual accessories — the wall charger, 1500mAh removable Li-Ion battery, a micro-USB cable. It’s got a microSD card slot on the side (up to 32GB, card sold separately) and a CRC9 port for connecting an external antenna. The SIM card slot is found inside, beneath the battery compartment.
There’s a small OLED display, about 2cm x 1cm, at the front that shows the battery life indicator, signal strength, connection status, cellular network, WiFi status and number of devices connected.
The device supports a slew of GSM cellular networks and frequencies, ranging from GPRS all the way up to HSPA+.
ZTE MF60 4G MiFi Router
HSDPA/HSUPA/UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
HSPA+: DL 21.6Mbps, UL 5.76Mbps
WCDMA CS: 64Kbps UL/DL
WCDMA PS: 384Kbps UL/DL
WiFi Standard: 802.11 b/g/n
WiFi Security: WEP/WPA/WPA2/WAPI
Up to 8 concurrent users/devices on WiFi
The WiFi router supports speeds on the local network of up to 54Mbps and can handle a maximum of 8 wireless devices at the same time.
The device performs really well and connects to the network in less than 20 seconds from the Off state. The old MyFi devices can take between 30 seconds to 1 minute to do the same.
It auto-detects the cellular network for the SIM card so when you slap a Globe, Smart or Sun Cellular SIM, it automatically plugs in the correct APN settings.
ZTE used a web-based administration panel for the MF60 (provided by GoAhead Webserver) and supports a lot of operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc).
Device management and even SMS management can be done via the web interface, which is great since you can send text messages thru the device over WiFi (mostly used for subscribing to data plans or balance inquiry).
The only downside here is that if you’re having problems connecting to WiFi, you won’t be able to access the admin panel and diagnose the problem. I have not yet experienced that with this unit though. (Update: It will still work as long as you plug the device via USB to the PC and run Mobile Hotspot. Would be a problem if you only have a WiFi phone or tablet with you when that happens.)
Our numerous speed tests in the last two weeks were a bit erratic but, in general, they were impressive to say the least.
This is the best one we got with the Smart network (using the SmartBro Rocket SIM):
Done at the same time of day and same location (3AM, Bangkal, Makati) previously tested on SmartBro Rocket.
I was able to connect to an Smart HSPA+ network once in Megamall (PLDT Jump Center) but only got around 2Mbps downlink speed. The uplink speed was great though at 1.5Mbps (highest I recorded ever).
This is the best one we got on the Globe network (using a regular prepaid Tattoo SIM):
What’s surprising with this one is that I only used a regular prepaid SIM card subscribed on Globe SuperSurf 50. This test was done at Starbucks in Paseo de Magallanes at around 4pm.
Note though that results will greatly vary depending on your location and the time of day.
As for battery life, I was able to squeeze a total of 4 hours and 45 minutes on a single, full charge. This is with continuous use with web surfing on two laptops but with minimal file downloads.
The last 2 weeks with this device has been pretty good — the hardware is impressive and the network connectivity has been very satisfactory both on Globe and Smart networks. I didn’t include speed tests for Sun Cellular since they don’t have HSPA+ yet.
The only downside of this unit is the retail price — Php7,500 a pop (it’s unlocked and actually a rare find). Still not that bad considering the unlocked Huawei E5 (supports HSDPA only) could set you back around Php5k to Php6k.
Disclosure: HotGadgets provided us with this review unit. You can find the item being sold in TipidPC here and in Sulit here.
Sir, i just want to ask. how can i change the speed of the pocket wi-fi. I have a postpaid from smart and the connection is not consistent. When I check the connection in the command promp there is a connection but it always said “Request timed out” please answer me.
SIr. bumili po ako nang MF60 nayan from SMart. i tried putting a globe sim but it says SIM LOCK..
Sir/Other Users, Is it true that this device has bandwidth limit per day? if it is true, what time does it usually refreshes?
Sir ask ko lang po naka postpaid plan po ako sa globe nitong ztemf60 Globe superstick 7.2mbps at mahina po talaga ang signal dito sobra.. kung ganun po ba ang situation pwede po ba akong mag avail sa kanila if kung pwede akong mag pa set-up dito sa bahay ng external antenna katulad ng sa wimax possible po kaya yun. Thanks
Sir yuga, pa-help po pano ko po mlagyan ng wlan security itong zte pocket wifi? hindi ko po kse alam ang username at password. pmunta nko sa 192.188.1.1 SALAMAT PO.
Sir ask ko lng maabot ba kya ng rocket wifi ang 20mbps na speed na gi pomise ng smart have you tested it already? when mag start ang speed sa 4g connection? what is really the difference between pocket wifi and rocket wifi?
was thinking to purchase for a pocket wifi since i travel most of the time and no permanent address… so what’s the best provider at this time? smart or globe and if postpaid or prepaid?
I’m confused, if I but this do I get free internet on the get go? Or do I still have to pay for a monthly subscription for smart/globe/sun? And If I have anyone knows their subscription plans?
I was thinking of getting a Mifi router, but decided better to just get an Android version 2.2+ celphone that can serve as a Mifi router also. Easier, since you can reload directly from a phone for Pre-Paid Cards …
Anyone know how to change the screen language?
please advise me on how to open line this
model so that i can use to all network. thank you
091847*****
HUAWEI Mobile WiFi
E587 Model: E587u – 5
HSPA+
Sir nakapostpaid ako ng 1299 sa globe. mf60 3g ung device ko, recently naglabas ung globe ng mf60 4g, capable kaya ung mf60 ko na sumagap ng 4g or kailangan ko pa mag update ng software for my mf60 para maging 4g
if you get this unit, can you just get a postpaid plan sim from globe or smart with unlimited internet access with capping?
Hi po, parang ganyang device din yung sakin but I have the white one. naka 1299 7mb postpaid ako and it was activated the other day pero until now diko sya magamit dahil sa 2G signal lang binibigay nya na 48 years or worst cant connect, bad part is technical team ng globe walang ibang alam sabin kundi okay ang signal and they very unhelpfull:( worries ko is malapit lang ako sa ortigas center at eastwood from which napakastable ng signal. have you experienced having this issue?
if you’re using the same zte mf60, go to http://192.168.0.1/index.asp remove the sim card, or turn off the connection, go to 3g settings, apn settings, go to manual apn, create a new profile then enter the globe specific settings there
sir yuga… pag meron po ba akong globe tattoo plug it tapos nilipat ko yung sim sa unlocked ZTE MF60, would i receive a the promised speed o gnun pa din katulad sa plug-it ko??
thanks for the reply…
Quick question lang. Just got the superstick plan 1299 from globe din. One thing I noticed about this router is this. If low batt na siya, when I plug it in the outlet. nag charge2x siya (graphics nung battery nag slide2x). Pero after 2-3 hours. Nag stop2x na yung battery charging (hindi na nag move2x yung battery graphic on upper right). If i remove the charger from the convenience outlet. Full charge yung battery, but after 10 seconds or so.. nag drain2x then low batt na kaagad. Is this a defect or ganyan talaga? I will try to charge the unit through USB-PC. Will check if ganyan pa rin
Ganyan din sakin. Kung gusto mo ma-full charge, turn it off first then plug it. Ngayon kung kelangan mo talaga siyang gamitin pero lowbatt na just leave it plugged it until you finish with your internet activity tapos saka mo turn off then charge.
sir, ung Smart Bro SIM – Plan 999 unlimited… pwede ba un dito. thanks. :)
sir just a quick question whats the best provider ung normal use lng for gprs and buddy rush purposes (fb game po un buddy rush)
has anyone tried using this device for gaming? for the ps3? lag has always been an issue on my wired connection.
Very good for downloading full games or demos. Downloaded God of War 3 Demo (2.67 GB) in just 2 hours. For online gaming I won’t recommend it unless you can receive HSPA+ signal (though I haven’t tried it yet). High ping rates causes a lot of disconnects while playing online. Wired connection is still much better.
sir Yuga, bakit ganun? sa MF60 namin under Globe plan 1299, max speed lang namin sa speedtest eh 0.52mbps lang from Manila to LA, California server. Pero pag Globe to Globe server, umaabot ng 3mbps ^_^ Pag via Smart server mababa din, nasa 0.32mbps lang.
Sabi ng sales agent upto 7mbps “daw” mas mabilis pa connection ng current BayanTel DLS namin.
Is there anyway to increase the speed? What is the best external antenna (aside from crc9) and where can we buy it and how much? ^_^
I’ve also read something about achieving a RSSI lower than 50 by turning the antenna to get a better speed? what is RSSI?
Thank you po ^_^
BTW, lahat po sa setting namin is Automatic, sa pag kuha ng signal from 3G or HSDPA, etc.
Santelmo, subscriber din ako ng Superstick. Ganyan din ang naeencounter ko na speed ng ZTE MF60 ko. Ang pinakamabilis na nakuha ko sa speedtest ay 3mbps. minsan lang. usually < 1mpbs. I will try yung binebentang external antenna kung ok.
sir yuga, meron ka bang idea if the external antenna is worth to buy? i am seeing a ~800 pesos sa sulit.