Huawei B818-260 (Vodafone GigaCube Cat19) 4G Router Review

To updates its GigaCube and brings faster speeds, Vodafone presents a new 4G LTE WiFi Router named Gigacube Cat19. The Gigacube Cat19 is from the Huawei B818-260 router. The new version Gigacube comes in the LTE network on CAT19 and thus achieves a maximum download of up to 1.6 Gbit/s. The predecessor was already at 300 Mbit/s out of air. If you are looking for maximum performance, the Gigacube Cat19 may be a good alternative. Then you may want to know what has been improved in the Gigacube Cat19. Below you will see the details:



Features and Specifications of the Huawei B818-260
Manufacturer and model: Huawei B818-260
Chipset: HiSilicon Balong V7R65
LTE Category: LTE CAT19
Download rate: up to1,600 Mbps
Upload rate: up to150 Mbps
Supported LTE bands:700, 800, 900, 1500, 1800, 2100, 2600, 3500 MHz
Backwards compatible with GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, DC-HSDPA
Support for LTE-Advanced: Yes
MIMO Support: yes, MIMO 3x3
Connection for external antenna: yes, 2x TS-9 (Buy Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 External Antenna)

Network | LAN & WLAN
LAN ports: 2 x Gbit port
WLAN standards: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz)5 GHz
WLAN support: Yes
Encryption: WPS/WPA/WPA2
WLAN hotspot function: yes, up to 32 users

Other features
Telephone: no connection (VOIP only via SIP)
phone port: No
WAN port: Yes
IPv6 dual stack: Yes
Battery pack: No
Dimension: 105 x 103 x 225 mm at 700 g
USB: Yes
Memory card expansion: No
Release: 18.03.2019 - only as GigaCube at Vodafone
Price: 499.00US
Davailable at:» http://www.4gltemall.com

Information material
Installation Guide:» Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 Setup guide
detailed manual:» Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 User manual



New SoC for more performance
One of the disadvantages of the previous Vodafone Gigacube was that it was limited to 300 Mbps with LTE-CAT6 in the download. The network of Vodafone can deliver but much more! Up to half a gigabit is possible with the new Gigacube tariffs. This circumstance has now been resolved with the new version GigaCube CAT19. As the name implies, the new Huawei B818 LTE Cat19 Gigabit CPE supports LTE-Advanced Por Cat19 and gets a maximum download of up to 1.6 Gbit/s. Responsible for this is the new HiSilicon Balong V7R65 SoC (System on a Chip). Also in the upload makes the new heart much more. Here you made a significant jump from 50 to 150 Mbit/s.





Significantly gained weight
Also visually, a lot has happened. The new cube is now edgier and looks much more modern. The color is still white, a bit reminiscent of the design artists of Apple from Cupertino. If the predecessor came with 366 g, so the CAT19 version with 700g is anything but a lightweight. However, this should not be a problem in daily use, as it is not intended to use in a companion for a hiking tour. Also, there is no battery, so you always have to rely on a power outlet.



Friendly Connection
If you want a broad range of connectivity, you will enjoy the new edition. Of course, WiFi is on board and transmits both at 2.4 and 5 GHz to 802.11 a/b/g/n and ac, The MIMO capability (multi-antenna technology) has also been improved. So now 3 × 3 instead of 2 × 2 is used, which significantly increases the data throughput. Even wired, there are more options available with the Gigacube CAT19. Since there was only one Gigabit Ethernet port before, you now have access to two. Very pleasing is the USB port, which is now new with it and allows the connection of external media. Last but not least, the new GigaCube also offers connection options for external antennas via two TS9 ports. Internally, however, already four antennas perform their service, so that 4 × 4 MIMO is possible via LTE, as it specifies CAT19.



Less users could be connected
In one point a small downgrade was made. Whereas previously up to 64 simultaneous devices were possible, the number is now reduced to 32. However, this is unlikely to play a major role in daily use. It will rarely happen that such a number of devices should be served. If so, then the two Ethernet ports are a good alternative to connect another router. However, this extra technology also means a slight increase in power consumption. However, the increase from 20 to 24 watts is moderate.



The mass storage GigaCube CAT19 is not intended. With only 512 MB of Flash, it uses the same completely for his operating system. However, the 256 MB memory is very generous for this device class. The daily tasks should hardly be able to fully exhaust these. Even with the software features, there is nothing to complain about. Thanks to the IPv6 and IPv4 dual stack, it is well prepared for the future. Defining a web interface including the possible firewall rules is also part of the equipment package.

Difference to the predecessor(Huawei B528s-23a VS Huawei B818-260)
The new Gigacube router from 2019 primarily offers a more modern LTE modem, which is also well-equipped for future upgrades in the 4G network of Vodafone. The Gigacube of the first generation, however, is designed "only" up to 300 MBit. In addition, the CAT19 box already supports LTE at 700 MHz. Otherwise, the differences are rather small. Both offer WLAN up to 802.11ac and two TS9 sockets for external antennas. The GigaCube CAT19 also provides an additional Gigabit LAN port.

Router Compare features
Model: GigaCube (2018)/ Huawei B528s-23a
LTE Download to 300 Mbps
LTE upload to 50 Mbps
LTE Category: CAT6
Supported Frequency bands 800, 900, 1500, 1800, 2100, 2600MHz
External antenna: yes, TS-9
Telephone: no (only via VOIP)
LAN ports: 1 x Gbit
WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS: WiFi ac
Battery pack: No
Retail Price: 229.00USD
--------------------------------------------
Model: GigaCube CAT19 (2019)/Huawei B818-260
LTE Download to 1600 Mbps
LTE upload to 150 Mbps
LTE Category: cat19
Supported Frequency Bands: 700, 800, 900, 1500, 1800, 2100, 2600, 3500 MHz
External antenna: yes, TS-9
Telephone: no (only via VOIP)
LAN ports: 2 x Gbit
WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS: WiFi ac
Battery pack: No
Retail Price: 599.00USD





Conclusion
Technically, the 2019 version of the Gigacube offers much more than its predecessor. However, to benefit from the performance advantages, you have to live in regions where Vodafone already offers LTE-Advanced Pro. In rural areas you will hardly benefit from a change. If you would use the Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 in other countries, you have to buy the unlocked Huawei B818 LTE Cat19 giagcube CPE.