Huawei E3272 4G USB Stick Review

After Huawei E3276, Huawei offers a new model called E3272 for its LTE Stick series. Of course, the model supports LTE Category 4 (up to 150 Mbps) and this is the key feature for this new model. We show more details of E3272 below and reveal whether the acquisition of the mobile travel companion is worthy.

LTE features and characteristics of Huawei E3272

Manufacturer and model number Huawei E3272
Download rate Up to 150 MBit/s
Upload rate Up to 50 MBit/s
Supported LTE bands LTE800; LTE900; LTE1800; LTE2100; LTE 2600
( Band 1/3/7/8/20)
Backward compatible with: DC-HSPA+, UMTS, GSM-Frequency (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz)
MIMO Support: MIMO 2×2
Connector for external antenna yes; 2 antenna connectors type CRC-9 available
LTE Category: LTE Modem to Category 4 (CAT4)
Chipset HiSilicon Balong 710 (V7R1)
Others
Dimensions (LxWxH) 93.3 mm x 30 mm x 13,3 mm; 35 Gramm
USB-Standard USB 2.0
Memory card expansion yes; With 32 GB MicroSD
Compatible Operating Systems Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7+8, Mac OS (above 10.4)

 

 

Huawei unveiled the device for more than one year; it is easy to find shop online for Huawei E3272. Now it’s already available for many European operators.

 

 

From the appearance, we can see huawei E3272 is not similar to E3276, which has a rotatable USB, while E3272 is a compact USB. Users should not be blinded by the lower model number after the “E”. For Huawei means, confusingly, higher is not always new. User might think that the technology department rolls this out for the marketing department.

The most important is that we can benefit from Huawei sticks. Huawei E3272 supports the frequencies 800, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz – hence the E3272 could work with all major providers in Europe areas. With unlocked Huawei E3272, user can travel to Middle East and Asia. As already indicated, the LTE modem is compatible with LTE Category 4, which can be achieved download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speed up to 50 Mbps. In addition, the Huawei E3272 is backward with all relevant previous mobile radio standards (3G/2G). If located not at LTE coverage area, your device automatically switches to the next best technology, such as UMTS or HSDPA.

 

A key difference for E3272 and E3276 is the built-chipset. Here Huawei E3272 relies on a HiSilicon Balong 710 (V7R1). Also new is a “HiLink” mentioned technology, which we introduce the following short.

 

 

 

“HiLink” hides an innovation from Huawei, which aims to accelerate the start-up and thus to connect to the Internet enormously. After plugging in, as promised by the manufacturer, Configuration shall be unnecessary and it is online only 15 seconds. 15 seconds is for driver auto installation, setup, and connection! This is a small revolution in fact. Our editorial team has already taken several tests with various sticks, such as ZTE, in the past. Some devices need only  install the software for up to 15 minutes, followed by complex configuration and excruciatingly long load times if necessary. Now it is finally turned to the Web Interface. This means installing extra software is no longer necessary – the operation easily handled via the browser, so as the Huawei E3272. However, “HiLink” is not a novelty from the E3272. Various predecessors already had the feature.

 

 

One criticism, however, is still there. While many other models of Huawei have a swiveling USB port, which proved to be user-friendly, but Huawei E3272 is unfortunately missing this feature. When used in conjunction with a laptop, user has to connect the E3272 via USB extension cable.

 

 

The E3272 is a rock solid LTE stick, which is technically on the amount of time. Those who does not need a Wi-Fi hotspot, can safely access via E3272. The relatively low price convinced. Significant innovations and improvements are attractive.

 

Huawei E3272 – New LTE Category 4 USB Stick

USB surfsticks are increasingly displaced by mobile hotspots with battery, but Huawei brings an LTE stick E3272 again recently on the market. The Huawei E3272 is held in the “stick form factor”, the USB port is so rigid and not like the previous model Huawei E3276 swiveling (“rotator form factor”). The maximum speed is 150 Mbit/s downlink and 50 Mbit/s in the uplink, which corresponds to LTE category 4 like previous LTE surf sticks Huawei E3272. With dimensions of 93.3 mm x 30 mm x 13.3 mm and weighing 35 grams, Huawei E3272 is much easier to take in pocket or bag.


Somebody say Huawei E3272 is on the HiLink function, which allows the operation of the surfsticks with no software. When you first plugged into the PC, only some drivers are installed, we found the mobile partner is still available in this stick. In most cased, no more setup is needed before connection, Huawei promises a connection in just a few seconds after plugging in the modem.

Good technical equipment
Like most other data devices in use, Huawei E3272 is also with a HiSilicon modem chipset. This allows not only LTE Category 4, UMTS with DC-HSPA+ (up to 42.2 Mbit/s in the downlink), but also GSM & EDGE data transmission. The supported frequency bands are common deployed worldwide, so we are glad to note that Huawei E3272 can use worldwide:

  • LTE: 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz
  • UMTS: 900/2100 MHz
  • GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

The USB port is protected by a cap, unfortunately this is not secured with a ribbon on the stick as you would know from the Vodafone K5150 LTE Stick. Two connectors for external antennas (2 × 2 MIMO) are located on the sides of E3272 body, as well as a slot for MicroSD memory cards is available, so you can use the Huawei E3272 LTE stick as a storage media. The system requirements are relatively low, so you can E3272 with Windows system from XP (Service Pack 3), Windows Vista (Service Pack 1), to Windows 7 or Windows 8, alternatively you can of course also use with MAC OS, here must be at least OS X to be installed in version 10.6 or higher.

Availability
The Huawei E3272 LTE stick is available in stores 4gltemall.com now, without a contract. With a slim body and good functions, we recommend Huawei E3272 if you want to enjoy the LTE Download link speed to 150Mbps.

 

What’s the Difference Between HUAWEI E3272 and E3276?

At the MWC, we saw the new 4G LTE cat4 USB Stick Huawei E3272. At the first glance of the LTE cat4 modem, it reminds us the Huawei E3276, the world’s first LTE cat4 4G Surfstick. Since they both support 4G LTE cat4, here comes a question: what’s the difference between them?

 

 

Huawei E3276 is an elder model which was released at the beginning of 2012. Here now, there are various sub-models available for many operators. The model Huawei E3276s-151 is the most popular model. Huawei E3272 comes out on MWC 2013.

 

 

 

The first difference between Huawei E3276 and E3272 is chipset platform, Huawei researched how own brand chipset Hisilicon, before that, Huawei always use Qualcomm 4G chipset, which arise the cost of Huawei 4G modems. Now with Huawei chipset, we suppose the price of its 4G modem would be much cheaper than before and acceptable for most users.

 

As the same feature of Huawei E3276, Huawei E3272 also supports 4G FDD and TDD networks. In the sub-models, they may support only TDD or FDD network, or together. Under TDD network, the peak download speed up to 112Mbps while upload peak speed is 10Mbps. With FDD network, the speed may reach 150Mbps for downlink and 50Mbps for uplink. The difference lies on the 2G network.

 

 

 

 

Huawei E3272 could not only support TDD/FDD/UMTS/GSM/GPRS, it could also support the American standard EVDO. So Huawei E3272 would be most likely to be available for American operators.

In addition to the appearance, Huawei E3272 LTE cat4 USB modem has a unique feature: HiLink technology. In Huawei 3G USB stick, this technology has been commonly used. It’s a user friendly system for modem application. No Driver installation, after the modem plug to PC, it would automatically connects in 15 seconds. Huawei use this technology in 4G USB modems, which makes Huawei E3272 more attractive, especially for the users who are bored about setup or configure the parameter. With simple operation, Huawei E3272 would response quick and get connected. Huawei E3272 should be the first 4G dongle with HiLink technology.

 

In conclusion, Huawei E3272 improves many functions and should performance much better than Huawei E3276. But whether Huawei chipset Hisilicon would be reliable, time will tell.

HUAWEI New LTE Cat 4 MBBs on MWC 2013

Communication Reuters (CWW) February 27, held in Barcelona, Spain, 2013 Mobile World Congress MWC, Huawei exhibited the full range the LTE Cat4 data terminal containing:

 

  1. The world’s first LTE Cat4 Wingle Wi-Fi dongle E8278
  2. The 5G compact exquisite design LTE Cat4 mobile hotspot E5372,
  3. The Stylish homeb broadband of LTE Cat4 Speed Cube E5170,
  4. LTE Cat4 dongle E3272 with sports car streamlined design,

 

And other Smartphone and MediaQ serials terminals further highlight the strength of Huawei LTE data terminals.

 

In 2012, LTE set off a wave of building climax in the world. Comparing to the fixed network by the transmission rate, and a relative fixed network, LTE data service is more flexible business laying relatively 2G, 3G cheaper single-bit cost, and relatively Wi-MAX, and incorporates a much more mature industry chain. So more and more wireless operators, fixed-line operators, Wi-MAX operators are beginning to invest in LTE business. According to the GSA report shows that in January 2013, 381 operators in 114 countries are building LTE networks, and 145 LTE networks in 66 countries have officially commercial, expected at the end of 2013, total 234 providers’ LTE networks would be launched to commercial in 83 countries.

 

Commercial LTE network is inseparable from the support of the terminal, and the data terminal is no doubt a pioneer. With the wide range of commercial LTE network, a large number of LTE data terminals become personal essentials into the home and for small and medium-sized enterprises, and scale. Huawei played an important role in this regard. As of the end of December, Huawei has more than 90% of the commercial LTE network provides a service terminal 12 annual shipments of more than 3 million units.

 

 

“Huawei is one of the few vendors who are able to provide wide coverage, multi-band, end-to-end solutions and in current success makes us confident about the future.” Said Liu Xiaobin, vice president of Huawei mobile broadband product line, Huawei will always focus customer center, from the needs of customers and consumers, to leading-edge technology and leading design, sustainable and innovative spirit, to bring consumers leading experience and help customers achieve sustained commercial success. ”

 

 

In fact, Huawei LTE has global leader in the powerful technical strength. Huawei, the world’s first LTE CPE B390 VDF effective in helping to achieve the coverage of the dead zone of Germany rural fixed-line, the world’s first TD-LTE multi-mode data card E392 boost Saudi carriers STC offers the world’s first TD-LTE network services, the mobile hotspot GL01P, GL04P long-term rotation occupy Japan data terminal weekly sales champion. Huawei is currently the only supplier can provide the LTE Cat4 terminal, an industry-leading one year ahead, so far HUAWEI has shipped for more than 40 carriers. In 2013, HUAWEI will also give consumers exciting support LTE Cat6 terminal peak downlink rates of up to 300Mbps; With innovation, Huawei will release the world’s first LTE Cat4 Wingle E8278, support 10 Wi-Fi devices to connect at the same time, share a high-speed network, and other similar Wingle family products by Charger, Car Charger, charging treasure a variety of ways such as power supply. E8278 also supports Huawei’s own patented plug-and-play networking 15 seconds HiLink technology, reducing the failure rate significantly enhance product usability, some customers after use HiLink patented technology, product failure rate from 1.8% down to 0.3 %, not only a substantial increase user stickiness, and at the same time make the user’s Web experience more perfect.