Huawei’s latest super-fast 5G router has been incredibly popular, building upon the impressive performance and easy setup that Huawei are famous for. With the 5G CPE Pro 2, Huawei have created a leader in the router market, especially important during a time where people are spending more time at home. So, how exactly does it compare to its (more expensive) predecessor, the 5G CPE Pro?
Firstly, the 5G CPE Pro 2 features an upgraded version of the Balong 5000 chipset that supports carrier aggregation. This means that multiple network channels within similar frequency bands can be combined, drastically improving data capacity for the router. Ultimately, the new Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 enables broadband download speeds of up to 3.6Gbps, compared to a maximum of 1.65Gbps on the 5G CPE Pro.
The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 also brings Wi-Fi 6 Plus capabilities. Also known as 802.11ax, Wi-Fi 6 Plus enables downloads speeds of up to 2976Mbps, being a huge 150% improvement on the 5G CPE Pro, which is limited to 1167Mbps with its Wi-Fi 5 capabilities.
If your mobile devices at home don’t support Wi-Fi 6 Plus quite yet, there’s no need to worry. This is because the 5G CPE Pro 2 brings benefits even to current Wi-Fi 5-enabled handsets. This is due to its Enhanced Wi-Fi 5 functionalities. With this, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 utilises 160MHz high frequency bandwidth for improved performance.
As well as network connection speed improvements, the 5G CPE Pro 2 brings ‘multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output’ technology to Huawei’s router line-up. Better known as MU-MIMO, the 5G CPE Pro 2 is able to send signals to 16 devices simultaneously, meaning you’ll have no trouble having the whole family online all at once.
Huawei 5G CPE Pro vs Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 – Front
In terms of upload speeds, the 5G CPE Pro 2 utilises Huawei’s own industry-leading ‘5G Super Uplink’ technology. Here, the router merges TDD and FDD frequency bands to boost upload performance significantly (20-60% in near field and 200-400% in far field) compared to the original Huawei 5G CPE Pro. The main advantages for this are for sending data-heavy tasks, such as long, high-definition videos and for livestreaming in 4K and 8K.
With both the 5G CPE Pro and Pro 2, Huawei have worked hard to create an unintrusive home broadband experience for its users. This starts with the easy setup process for either device. Using the Huawei AI Life app, users can setup their network quickly and manage their network effortlessly. Inside the mobile app, users can easily check their data usage and setup their monthly data plans. In addition, it is possible to setup temporary Guest Wi-Fi networks via the app, as well as being able set times during the day that choose between strong, standard and sleep modes, saving electricity when a Wi-Fi connection is not needed as urgently.
As stated by Huawei themselves, the 5G CPE Pro 2 retains the ‘classic look inspired by ancient Greek columns’. Because of this, both of these impressive home broadband routers will match any interior style found inside users’ homes. Although the aesthetic of the newer router is similar to its predecessor, it is noticeably smaller. Being around 1/3 smaller in volume, the 5G CPE Pro 2 is a very nice, compact size (not that the original 5G CPE Pro is a behemoth by any means). With this, the Huawei CPE Pro 2 measures in at 90 x 96.6 x 178 mm (weighing around 600g); whereas, the 5G CPE Pro measures in at 99 x 107 x 215 mm (weighing around 700g).
Huawei 5G CPE Pro vs Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 – Ports
Reading this so far, you may be confused as to why the original Huawei 5G CPE Pro is more expensive than its more advanced successor capable of faster network speeds. However, it can be explained why very quickly. Simply put, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro features 2 antenna (TS-9) ports; whereas, the newer 5G CPE Pro 2 does not.
External antennas are best utilised in areas with restricted signal strength. When placed on the outside of a building, an external antenna effectively creates a more direct channel through which signal can be received. Because of this, the chance of your router being in a blind zone; therefore, not receiving a fast network connection, will be reduced.
It is important to bear in mind; however, that any antenna(s) you may have (or may want to buy) may not be capable of receiving 5G signals. Because of this, you may not see improved downloads and upload speeds with all external antennas on the market at the moment.
With 5G already reaching many households around the UK and with the 5G future imminent for the rest of us, now is the best time to get yourself a 5G-capable router to have in your own home. With its incredible network speeds, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 is perfect for anyone currently near a 5G hotspot, and for anyone looking to future-proof their home’s broadband for the 5G era. For anyone struggling with connections blind zones in their home/office, then the original Huawei 5G CPE Pro is probably the best router of choice in the market, having the ability to attach external antennas.
Get the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 for only £379 here https://modem.co.uk/product/huawei-5g-cpe-pro-2/
Get the Huawei 5G CPE Pro for only £399 here https://modem.co.uk/product/huawei-5g-cpe-pro/
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