Netgear Aircard 790 vs Aircard 785s

Netgear AirCard 790 is the natural evolution of the Netgear AirCard 785S, a portable 4G router that our staff has tested in the past. We recently had the opportunity to test the new version and compare it with the previous model, allowing them to assess fully all the improvements in relation to the significant price difference between the two devices.
aircard 790s in hand

New looking

Netgear has managed to improve what already presented itself as a great 4G router. In favor of a more rounded and minimal design, the new AirCard 790 abandons the square lines of 785S.

On the front facade stands a much larger display that tells you some information about connection on the touchscreen, where the base is no longer angular. To protect the battery compartment and microSIM, there is a much more rounded shell and comfortable to grip. The frame of aircard 785S was silver in color and visually conflict with the rest of the device, where it is dark gray, amalgamating with the rest body.

netgear aircard 790s screen

 

On the top side of Netgear Aircard 790, instead of two buttons (on Netgear AC785S are On/Off button and Multifunction), there is only one button for on/off, a yield possible simplification thanks to the adoption of the touchscreen display. On the opposite side we find then the two inputs for connecting the antenna (antenna is sold separately) to enhance signal reception and 9-pin microUSB input.

netgear aircard 790s external antenna connectors and USB interface

 

Regarding the latter, there is no clear explanation why that would have prompted the company in the choice (in the user manual there is no mention about this) of supplying a cable with the best known micro USB 5-pin. It’s clear that the microUSB cable adopted is suitable for almost all electronic devices currently on the market. This can’t connect seamlessly into the wider opening 9-pin, but if you are not careful, it threatens to ruin the port when inserting.

 

Touchscreen

As anticipated, the main novelty of the aircard 790 is in the display, wider (5 x 3.7 cm against 3.5 x 2.7 centimeters of the 785S) but mostly touchscreen. You can select items with the touch of our finger rather than only using a key to scroll the list as instead we used to do with the previous model. What’s more, there are two capacitive buttons, “Home” and “Back”, respectively, to return to the main board or return to the previous screen.

netgear aircard 790s settings

The main facade just shows a touch on the name or password for WiFi to change this information on the fly, using the keyboard displayed briefly on the screen, as well as by clicking, the usage statistics will be possible to have a quick overview on your data plan, with a lot of data (in GB) used from the start day of the plan, the number of days remaining before renewal and a button to reset the counter at any time.

aircard 790s vs Aircard 785s

 

Finally, there are three additional buttons located on the bottom bar. With WiFi you can access the WiFi network information, enable or disable the 5 GHz network, activate a guest network to temporarily connect a host, manage the connected devices (maximum 15 together), block unwanted ones even if they know the password, give priority on the amount of data used by one rather than others, decide the standby time, increase WiFi coverage at the expense of the autonomy and more.

netgear aircard 790s and 785s power button no top side

 

On the Messages panel, you can only read text messages received in the microSIM in use, being able to eliminate them with a single touch. Finally, the Settings tab, you will have quick access to the display settings (language, brightness LEDs, the display timeout, WiFi info on the screen, etc.), to the mobile broadband (3G/4G, roaming, etc.), mode plane (useful to use the device in Battery Boost mode which will be discussed below), the tethering mode and general information, including the software for upgrade cards, restore factory settings, and little else.

netgear aircard 790s and 785s interfaces

 

In our tests, we cannot say enough about the touchscreen of aircard 790, as it completely eliminates the need to access the router via web or mobile application panel (both are options still available, but are no longer essential or necessary to start using the router immediately or modify one or more parameters if it is considered necessary). Have everything at your fingertips at any time is one of those features that, after having made a habit, you will find it hard to give up.

 

aircard 790s antenna socket

Battery Boost Function

Another new offer of Netgear AirCard 790 is the ability to leverage the internal battery (thanks to the supplied cable) to charge a device if needed. Our tests showed that the 2,930 mAh of 790s routers are able to restore about 60% of the energy of an iPhone 6 Plus, this means that if the phone is completely power off, you have the ability to charge roughly 10-20 %.

 

 

The battery of aircard 790 has larger capacity than the aircard 785S (2,000 mAh), but we did not find benefits in this difference in everyday use, because we were able to use for more than 8 hours in the whole office with two devices connected via WiFi.

 

aircard 790s back cover

USB tethering

Thanks to the tethering function, another novelty that we find in AirCard 790 is that you can surf the Internet by connecting the router to the computer’s USB socket: in this way you will avoid the WiFi connection and at the same time recharge the internal battery of the router.

This option is useful especially in the home, since in this way a single power outlet will be occupied. Also when you want to quickly connect a computer to the Internet without activating the guest network (just in case a friend), or when the netgear 790’s energy is running low and you need a few more hours for surfing, the only way is to recharge the internal battery by the USB connection.

aircard 790s speed test

Same Good Performance

Here, an obvious difference between the two routers is more difficult. Theoretically, the AirCard 790 could in fact provide connections up to 300 Megabits on LTE Advanced (Cat6), but it also support up to 100 Megabits of the LTE Cat4 which is also supported in the AirCard 785S. In reality, we did not notice obvious differences in navigation. At the same location and same time, they provide network connection at similar speed; Aircard 790s didn’t provide much faster speed as described. Perhaps the LTE Advanced network is not available here. Aircard 790s can’t connect the fastest possible network.

 

Aircard 790s package

Conclusions

Those who are using a 4G router every day, especially those who usually travel abroad, we would recommend Netgear Aircard 790 to buy. Even those who have the need to frequently access the router settings may find useful from the touchscreen in the new model.

 

However, we believe that the AirCard 785S is still a great 4G router at a budget price, and could provide the best choice for those who simply use a router occasionally, to use perhaps only at weekends.

 

Netgear AirCard 790 4G Mobile Router Review

Now that most cell phones have features to share the wireless Internet connection, such routes may be convenient if there are multiple users to share a mobile broadband connection.

Many wireless routers for mobile broadband are either locked to a specific carrier, or they have quite a few limitations. Netgear new 4G router Aircard 790 is not locked to any carrier, which supports most frequency bands and could be used around the world, and the Netgear 790S is so packed with features that we have not seen in any of other similar routers that are usually offered from operators themselves.

Netgear Aircard AC790S (2)

The router AirCard 790 is slightly smaller but thicker than a mobile phone. Here are our first impressions:

 

Supports 4G in Category 6

Netgear Aircard AC790S (3)

The user interface is easy to use via the touch screen.

 

 

Netgear AirCard 790 price is better now than few months ago since the successor Netgear Aircard 810s is available now. Netgear 4G routers are much more advanced than the average router. The Aircard 790 support 4G (LTE) Category 6, thus speeds up to 300/50 Mbps. And when you share mobile network, the WiFi standard is made via dual-band 802.11ac at both 2.4 and 5 GHz simultaneously. Up to 15 devices can connect to the router simultaneously, and you can easily set up a guest network.

Netgear Aircard AC790S (1)

 

Handsome touchscreen

The Netgear AC790S router is very easy to use. After you’ve installed your SIM card and turned on the router, the network name (SSID) and wifi password will show on the screen. You can easily enter and change settings directly from the touch screen of the router. And enter http: //netgear.aircard in the browser on your PC, you can possibly manage the AC790S Router wirelessly.

 

The touch screen is incredibly handsome, which allows you to do everything you normally need in a browser user interface, and in a very intuitive way. Via the screen, you also have an overview of how much data you’ve used. You can also see which devices are connected to the router, limiting the number of units, and optionally block unwanted devices.

Netgear Aircard AC790S (5)

There are two connectors for an external antenna.

 

Battery life is rated at 11 hours, and you can select the transmitting power of WiFi network so you can save energy if you use the router at a short distance. You can of course use the router by connected with the USB to PC. Otherwise, the router can also be used wireless for your mobile phone.

Aircard 790s-settings-router-port forwarding

We mentioned that the router can be connected to an external antenna. Netgear even sells an antenna to increase antenna efficiency by up to 50 percent. We 4gltemall.com also provides suitable budget external antenna for Netgear Aircard 790s which had been used by many users and proved to be reliable: http://www.4gltemall.com/4g-antenna-two-ts-9-connector.html

Netgear Aircard 790s Network-APN ADD

 

Conclusion: A super router

In all, we have a very good impression of Netgear AirCard 790. We have used it a little while when commuting by train, and the AC790S router has served impeccable. It does not get much more via the Internet sharing feature in your mobile phone, but with the mobile broadband Netgear 790s, users can do much more than expected. What’s more, it save much power consumption for mobile phone.