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ZTE MF80 goes up to 42Mbps for 10 users

The update to the ZTE MF60 pocket WiFi is now faster. The ZTE MF80 is the model equivalent of the Huawei E587 and promises support for HSPA+ networks up to 42Mbps.

Yugatech 728x90 Reno7 Series

To learn more about the ZTE pocket WiFi line-up, check out our full review of the ZTE MF60 here. Most of the features found on the MF80 were already present in the MF60.

What the MF80 improved on is the support for high-speed mobile internet of up to 42Mbps. Of course, that can only be achieved if your telco also offers speeds near to that figure.

The MF80 now also supports up to 10 users where the usual number is around 5. This is actually my biggest issue with pocket WiFi as I normally have 3 or 4 smartphones running, 2 to 3 laptops and another 2 to 3 tablets all connected to the pocket WiFi network.

The MF80 supports quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS with DC-HSPA+ speeds of 42Mbps downlink and 5.76Mbps uplink. It can handle data and SMS but not voice.

The Li-Ion battery is rated at 1900mAh which is 400mAh higher than the previous model but since the chip eats up more power, the battery life is still in the 4 to 5 hours range. The device also heats up pretty quickly.

As for the speed tests, the result are actually similar to the ones we got with the MF60 (4-8Mbps depending on time of day). That’s actually a limitation of the service provider rather than the device.

The only barrier to having these types of high-end pocket WiFis right now is the steep price. The ZTE MF80 alone sells for Php8,480 (see listing here). The first generation pocket WiFi were selling at around Php10k when they first came out 2 years ago. Now they’re in the 4k to 5k range so I guess that would be the sweet spot for these nifty little devices.

Disclosure: The MF80 was given to us by HotGadgets.

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

15 Responses

  1. Avatar for Alex Alex says:

    MF80 is really a reliable 3G router: http://www.smart4gwifi.com/zte-mf80-3g-wifi-router.html

  2. Avatar for Sarena Sarena says:

    Now, zte mf80 is up to mf91 with up to 100mpbs download speed! View the specification at:
    http://www.twayf.com/zte-mf91-lte-mobile-hotspot

  3. Avatar for Allen Allen says:

    i personally think HUAWEI E587 is better than ZTE MF80, not only the stability but also the mancraftship.

  4. Avatar for Helena Helena says:

    thanks for the review.
    I doubted between the MF80 product and the Huawei e587 that both supports 42mbps. at the final i bought the MF80 at 189 USD because of the external antenna port
    http://www.4gsource.net/zte-mf80.html

    I think that e587 has a better look but the antenna slot is must have for me because of the low signal.

  5. Avatar for Yikes... Yikes... says:

    Hopefully they release active swap dual SIM models of these devices soon – that’ll be a hit. :P

  6. Avatar for Nora Nora says:

    Yuga, where can we buy this pocket wifi?

  7. Avatar for Vans Vans says:

    i wish YUGA could give away some of this gadgets. :D

  8. Avatar for zeus zeus says:

    nice phone

  9. Avatar for meh meh says:

    Run a speed test in the philippines on it, in Manila. And show us the results, so we can all feel sad together

  10. Avatar for Mr. Curious Mr. Curious says:

    I think the only downside in buying this pocket wifi is that no telco here in the ph can provide that dl speed. I mean what’s the use of buying those high end pocket wifis if your speed is only for mid range level only? maybe in the near future hopefully smart or globe or there might be a new competitor in the monopoly who will offer this speed. And that I say would really be sweet and suite.. =D

  11. Avatar for Iyan Sommerset Iyan Sommerset says:

    Is it just an access point or is it a router/hub? i.e. can it handle multiple laptops all in the process of online gaming?

    • Avatar for boom boom says:

      my two cents on the mf60 (which the article claims has the same feats)

      i tried using the mf60 (tattoo) as a router/switch between different devices: an android, webos, & a couple of laptops for file transfers.. (movies & music) and i would say that it had always been terribly slow!

      in the end, i would always resort to usb transfers. i can’t pull out the data right now though because i retired the mf60 and opted for a 3g router + globe 4g flash w/ extension cable trailing to outside.

      these devices are great for the on to go need to connect to the web mostly but not really as a lan..

  12. Avatar for Earl Earl says:

    sir yuga, same lang din po sa subscription sa mga telco yung normal speed sa ganyang speed kapag ganyan na po yung device mo?
    like parang applicable po ba ito sa supersurf50 for globe subscribers? :)

  13. Avatar for Rabby Rabby says:

    Yuga Deals

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