Some people have data plans on their phones. Others, like me, have it on a pocket WiFi (which I’ll henceforth call pWF) device – because WiFi sucks batteries less than data. The only problem of course is that the pWF itself uses cellphone data (and transmits via WiFi) – so the typical 1600mAh battery for such a device only lasts 6 hours – not nearly enough for a whole day’s use unless you have a powerbank handy.
While I do have a powerbank to use for both phone and pWF, our recent trip to Japan enlightened me to the fact that it can be cumbersome to have them both connected to it. So I prefer the powerbank to be used only for the phone if possible.
Another realization from our trip is that the pWF we rented can last a day – as it had a larger capacity battery (2600mAh). After a full day’s of normal use, I still had 40% left. Perhaps the unit was more efficient in battery use – or perhaps it has something to do with the signal being readily available, or both.
Whatever the case may be, that Japanese pWF lasted a day easily, and so it was decided: My current pWF (a Huawei E5331) was due for an upgrade. The search for a unit that had enough juice and worked with our cellular networks was on.
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