Previously, Smart released an LTE Pocket WiFi at Php 1,995 but they are trying to make it more reach by pushing it's price even lower with the help from Evoluzn Philippines. Is the new Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi at Php 1,295 worth the buy?
In terms of design, it has the plain looks compared to the previous version as the Smart Bro LTE is the design that you can distinguish. The entire cover was made from glossy plastic. The one that I liked is the bigger LCD display as there is status for signal bar, WiFi bar, type of connection and battery power remaining.
Let's go first on the dashboard which is suprisingly the same website that used to go in setting up the Smart Bro Prepaid LTE Home WiFi that I previously reviewed but the interface is different yet easy to understand. The set-up is quite easy too just like in the Home WiFi as you can see the vital info like the load balance, number of connected devices, device signal status and even the inbox which you can register there your desired Smart Prepaid or Bro mobile internet promos.
On the battery, Evoluzn claimed that it can last from 4 to 6 hours out of it's 2,000 mAh battery which is quite true as I tested it mostly in the south metro with good Smart LTE and an effortless way to check it, used it for my blogging and watched online videos wherever. The charger has 5V 1A which for me can fully charge from 0 to 100% in around 3 hours. As an added reminder, Evoluzn adviced me and the readers on not to use a charger with higher output to prevent battery bloating issues.
The main challenge for the product is connection as it also claims that it supports 700 MHz LTE support. As I am juggling this and the Home LTE WiFi for this review, I expected that it's speeds will be lower but not as bad. Consistent in my Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa and Calamba, Laguna test sites that I got at least 4 mbps for the upload and download speeds. Not that good but not that bad as I knew from one of it's competitors also made available for Smart (although more expensive at 700 pesos). This Php 1,295 LTE Pocket WiFi device does not have those slots which you can put in additional antenna to strengthen the signal but I can forgive them given for the lower price that they offer.
A different story though when I was just outside of RCBC building in BGC and I got usual download speeds of this device but very high on upload at around 14 mbps which is an eyecandy for those who upload online videos. In terms of stability, I had no issues on this one.
At Php 1,295 plus a free 7-day Smart Surfmax internet promo worth Php 250, it almost you bought this device for only a thousand pesos more. It may not be a winner in terms of design but the stability, bigger screen, easy-to-understand interface and big battery are the key pros of this new Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi. The connection might be a bit better for my liking. I will gonna give Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi 4 out of 5.
