Smartbro pocket wifi 2013 (unboxing)

Hey guys, I'd like to share the unboxing of my newly purchased Smartbro pocket wifi 2013

Why purchase?

According to SMARTcommunications you can: 

• Create your own WiFi hotspot anywhere, anytime
• Connect up to 5 of your gadgets at once or share the signal with your friends
• Surf at speeds of up to 7.2 
• Surf with less interruptions with Smart Bro’s most reliable signal
• can connect up to 4 devices

You can check their website for more infos: http://www1.smart.com.ph/Bro/products/pocket-wifi

 The box

So, what's in the box?

 The pocket wifi unit, battery, USB cable and charger, instruction manual and a Smart bro sim card.

What's nice about the charger is that it's slim and the USB cable is quite long about 1.2meters.

It looks like a touch screen phone after I peeled off the plastic on the screen and I might say I like it's sleek design than the previous smartbro pocket wifi's they've released.

Just slide the gray on the back part to open the battery and there's a ZTE logo too. 

 on the right side is the power button to switch on/off  the device, memory card slot where you insert the micro SD  memory card and the WPS button.

on the left side is the External antenna port, it is used to connect an external antenna to enhance the signal strength. 

The charger/USB port is located on the bottom part.

As you can see the 1500mAh battery is almost as big as the unit. can last approximately 100hours on standby time and 4 hours on working time. So, bring your charger with you or buy an extra battery if you'll be using this pocket wifi the whole day.
Also, make sure that the unit you'll purchase has an NTC logo sticker. I'm glad to see that there's a SMART sticker also which means the unit really came from SMART even though Idid not bought it from them.

You'll also have an option if you wanted to use the smart bro sim card in a micro sim port. 

So, let's try switching it on.

Press the power button until the power on/welcome indicator appears, Don't fret if it's "disconnected" just wait for it to load until you see the word  "connecting.." then, the word "connected" appears. It only takes about a few seconds to connect compared to other pocket wifi. If you are using a smartbro prepaid sim card like me. I suggest that you register it first before switching on the device to avoid unnecessary charges of 10pesos/ 30mins.

The LCD screen shows the signal strength, network (4G, 3G, 2G, H), how many devices are connected, SMS, indicator, Internet connection status and the battery life indicator.

 Here's the size when compared to an iphone 4s, so It's really handy, comfortable to hold and not bulky on the pocket. One downside for me that i've noticed is that there's no hole for me to put a keychain or lanyard to prevent it from slipping. but I guess the name "pocket" wifi justified it.

My story:

My boyfriend who's in abroad called me thru viber and happily announced that we can have the whole day of unlimited talking and catching up. He then told me to buy a huawei pocket wifi (openline) same like what he has. I told him I might not find a pocket wifi same like his but i'll try or maybe I'll be opting for a smartbro pocket wifi.

Really excited about it, I went straight to SM mall and arrived there at exactly 8pm. Knowing that the mall closes at 9pm. I immediately asked every single gadget store if they're selling a pocket wifi that's openline so that I can use it on all networks.

there are only 2 stores left that I haven't asked but then I saw the time and it already 8:40pm knowing the time constraint, I finally went over to the smart bro center and ask the guard if they have a stock of pocket wifi in prepaid. He then went over to the cashier staff. after a minute he comes back and told me they're already having an inventory.

Eager to purchase one, I went over to the cashier and ask if they can still allow me to buy a pocket wifi. He told me that they're on their inventory already but then he asked me if I wanted a postpaid or prepaid. I told him I wanted a prepaid pocket wifi. he then responded that they have no available stock and I should come back again tomorrow. comeback again? I badly needed it now. I considered asking him again on how much is the smartbro pocket wifi in prepaid. And he answered that it's 3,895 pesos. I was shocked knowing that its only 2,995pesos as stated on their official website.

So I went to the other gadget store with fingers crossed. and asked if theyre selling a pocket wifi.. and luckily they're selling a smartbro pocket wifi! Imagine my smile. All smiling I asked if the Pocket wifi's LCD has words on it like connected, disconnected etc. because I dont wanna buy an old model of pocket wifi you know. The sales lady told me that it only has the signal and battery life indicator. Feeling completely torn, I went again to the nearest smart center to look for the model unit name on the big poster of their new released smartbro pocket wifi. and decided to have a snapshot. Oh yes, call me desperate.  going back to the store, I showed the picture to the sales lady if it's the same unit they're selling and she said yes! I actually wanted to hug her hehehe. So, I purchased it and have it tested. and Luckily it's only 2,995pesos. The sales lady even told me that smart centers don't usually sell their unit by prepaid because they're priority are the postpaid buyers. I don't know if it's true but it pondered me for a while remembering my conversation with the smart center employee. But what's important is that I have now my own pocket wifi and I'm so glad about it. :)

So,
MUST TRY or LAST TRY?

I say it's a MUST TRY.


Hope you like this post!
you can comment below :)))

xoxo, Kate