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Smart vs. Globe: Prepaid LTE Home WiFi Comparison

You asked for it so we’re giving it to you — after using and reviewing both the Globe Prepaid LTE Home WiFi and the Smart Bro Prepaid LTE Home WiFi, we compare the two and check out what’s different and which one is better.

Form Factor

Both the Globe and Smart WiFi devices are light and compact, although the latter is slightly smaller in overall size. The Smart router comes in matte black and less conspicuous with a printed logo branding at the front while the Globe router comes in white and uses a poorly placed sticker logo at the front. It’s obvious that the Globe router was hastily packaged while Smart managed to produce a well thought-out design.

In fairness to Globe, Smart had more than 6 months (after Globe went to market) to conceptualize and release their own version.

The Globe device has a single LAN port, just like the one from Smart but the latter also has a dedicated power switch and reset button. Props to Globe for placing a sticker at the back with a guide and manual on how to reload the SIM card while the one from Smart is included in a separate documentation (you need to keep it just in case).

Both devices use a 12V power that plugs into the wall outlet. In fact, the power rating is identical that you can use either cable to power the two devices. This also means you can plug this into the 12V power socket in your car.

Administration

Both devices have their our Administration panel which is accessible via the local network (192.168.1.1) although Smart’s added a shortcut to it by going to smartbrosettings.net, which is easier to remember.

Globe’s WiFi Admin Panel

For Globe, all the settings are already pre-configured. The main page will show the status of the cellular connection (and signal strength), router status/information and network information. You don’t need to touch anything here are everything is all set up for you.


We also like that Globe has a dedicated app for this.

The only section that you will have to regularly use would be the built-in SMS feature. This is where you send out text messages to subscribe to GOSURF and SUPERSURF promos.

Smart’s WiFi Admin Panel

In the case of the Smart WiFi router, the administration panel looks the same with almost identical features. We also like the idea that there’s a link to the Data Usage Monitor that directs you to the MySmart dashboard.

Once you load credits, you can also subscribe to either can just subscribe to any of the FlexiTime, SurfMax or GigaSurf plans.

Speed and Coverage

Smart claims their Prepaid LTE Home WiFi has a theoretical speed of up to 42Mbps which is the standard for an LTE connection. On the other hand, Globe has made no claims as to the top speed their Prepaid Home WiFi can achieve but we reckon it should also be 42Mbps.

What we confirmed though is that both devices support Band 28 700MHz LTE frequency which makes it better for indoor use (it can better penetrate buildings and thick walls).

Both Globe and Smart have nationwide coverage but it is best to check first if your home or office has good LTE signal reception. The best way to test this is to buy a prepaid LTE SIM card and try it out with any LTE-capable smartphone. You can do random speed tests during the day and night to see the average downstream and upstream speed of the network.


Globe speed test in Makati and Taguig.


Smart speed test in Makati and Taguig.

As for the speed of the network, this is very dependent on your location. In some areas that we tested, Globe was faster while in other areas, Smart was better.

Another independent research (based on crowdsourced data by users) we can base this is from the B.A.S.S. app (more about it here 25).


Blue: Globe, Green: Smart, Yellow: Sun Cellular

If we use the BASS app as the reference for network coverage, then we can assume that Globe has faster average speed in most areas as pointed out by the data submissions.

Cost and Data Plans

The Prepaid LTE Home WiFi are both sold at Php1,995 for Smart and Globe. They both have 10GB of free data right out of the box.

The difference between them would be the data plans and promos.

Smart SurfMax 85: Php85 for 2 days at 800MB per day
Smart SurfMax 250: Php250 for 7 days at 800MB per day

Smart GigaSurf 50: 1GB + 300MB video app + unli all-net text for 3 days at Php50
Smart GigaSurf 299: 2GB + 1.1GB video app + unli all-net text for 30 days at Php299

Globe GoSURF50: 1GB + 100MB Instagram + 300MB for app of choice + Unli Allnet Texts for 3 days at Php50
Globe GoSURF299: 1.5GB + 100MB Instagram + 1GB for app of choice for 30 days at Php299

Globe SuperSURF50: 800MB per day for 1 day at Php50
Globe SuperSURF200: 800MB per day for 5 days at Php200

Also worth noting that only Smart offers a Postpaid Plan (see plan and pricing here 30).

Conclusion

While it’s hard to pinpoint which one is the clear winner here, we have to narrow down to the finer points. Basically, any potential user for these kinds of device will really prioritize good coverage and speed over anything else.

In terms of device quality, we prefer the one from Smart. In terms of data plans, they’re practically tied with each other (not a surprise here). In terms of nationwide coverage, it seems Globe has the upper hand here (based on the BASS app).

Frankly, we’re calling it a tie — just get the one that has better signal in your area.

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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.

38 Responses

  1. Avatar for Drudge Report Drudge Report says:

    Smart is better in terms of stability.

  2. Avatar for Hannah Hannah says:

    Hi. May I know if any of these two support external antenna?

  3. Avatar for Thukmol Thukmol says:

    Bakit kasi may data capping nklgay sa promo unlisurf tpos hnggng 800mb lng per day anu kya un.. preho lng sila kupal ganid s pera.. d2 s ibng bnsa unli mura pa, nung unanf install ng globe home prepaid ko ok mbilis tumtgal bumbgal.. nka2walang gana.. sana my 3rd telco n

  4. Avatar for Choi Choi says:

    Kabibili q Lang NG globe at home wifi .
    Malakas ung signal indicator.
    4-3 bars. .
    Kaso parang 3g,2g UNG bilis .

    Smart Sana bibilhin q kso walang available .
    Ayun .

    Useless .
    1999 p nmn price nya dito s bora

  5. Avatar for James James says:

    Hi, anyone from Quezon City (especially Balara, Diliman, Batasan, or anywhere in Q.C.) owns either of these?

    Feedback regarding the connection quality of both? (Speed, and consistency) Mukhang mas maraming complaints yung sa Globe. Lesser evil than PLDT/Smart’s prepaid, maybe?

    So, anyone? Feedback?

    • Avatar for topipay topipay says:

      PLDT LTE HOME WIFI gamit ko sir .. balara area lang din ako .. mas okey ang signal ng smart compare sa globe dun sa location.

  6. Avatar for Say Say says:

    cupang arayat, pampanga 9.7mbps

  7. Avatar for dgdc dgdc says:

    Ok sana kung pd kabitan ng antenna ung mga toh, kaso mukang wala cla port pra s external antennas…

  8. Avatar for Jo Malvas Jo Malvas says:

    I was really wondering if any of these two can be used anywhere? I mean, does it work like a pocket wifi na pwede mo dalhin kahit saan? or is it locked on one place?

    • Avatar for Elle Elle says:

      Makiki-reply na rin. Haha Late.

      YES. yung Globe home prepaid dinala ko sa school (10-11 mbps), para ma-consume ko lang yung 10gb na free. Ok naman. Mas malakas signal sa bahay (20-24 mbps).

      May times lang na kelangan ulit-ulitin i-on and off. Kasi kahit malakas signal sa area, RED light. so off and on ulit tas antayin mo mag-BLUE/ CYAN.

  9. Avatar for Say Say says:

    Nakakatawa yung sabi nung agent nila sa akin kasi sabi ko fibr kasi yung connection namin. Mas mabilis ba to kesa yun. Sabi: Ay fibr kasi ma’am mas mabilis to. Globe prepaid wifi sucks. Imagine very strong yung signal tapos ni hindi ka makaconnect sa internet. Yung tipong kailangan mo nga kaya binili mo tapos excited ka gamitin pero wala palang silbi.Ayusin nyo products nyo wag puro pera.

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