Which Portable WiFi Is Better? U10S Pro vs U30 Air Real-World Test

Choosing between the ZTE U10S Pro and the ZTE U30 Air means deciding between a modern 5G portable WiFi router and a high-capacity 4G hotspot.

This guide breaks down the real differences based on hands-on testing around our Silverstone location — including indoor and outdoor results — to help you choose the right device for your usage.

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Quick Comparison — U10S Pro vs U30 Air

Feature	ZTE U10S Pro	ZTE U30 Air
Network	5G	4G
Max theoretical speed	Up to 876 Mbps	Up to 229 Mbps
Connection	NFC tap-to-connect	QR code / manual
Devices supported	10 devices	32 devices
Display	Built-in screen	No screen

 

While the U10S Pro has the higher technical specification, real-world mobile broadband performance depends heavily on signal conditions.

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Design & Everyday Use

ZTE U10S Pro

The U10S Pro is designed as a more interactive portable hotspot. The built-in screen allows quick access to signal strength, battery level and connection status, while NFC tap-to-connect makes joining the network quick on supported devices.

This makes it well suited for travellers and individual users who frequently interact with their hotspot.

ZTE U30 Air

The U30 Air focuses on simplicity and capacity. With support for up to 32 devices, it is designed for shared environments such as households, students or office use. Setup is via QR code or manual connection and once configured it can be left running continuously.

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Real-World Speed Test (Silverstone Area)

Both routers were tested multiple times across several days in and around our Silverstone office — including indoor and outdoor testing locations.

Coverage in this area is inconsistent across networks, with fluctuating signal outdoors and weaker reception indoors.

Average Recorded Speeds

• U10S Pro (5G): 50 Mbps
• U30 Air (4G): 78 Mbps

Understanding the Results

Although the U10S Pro supports significantly higher maximum speeds, mobile broadband performance depends on signal quality rather than generation alone.

• 5G requires stronger signal conditions to reach peak performance
• In weaker coverage areas it operates on lower performance bands
• A stable 4G connection can sometimes deliver steadier throughput
• Local network congestion impacts both technologies

Because the surrounding area has mixed coverage even outdoors, the U30 Air maintained more consistent throughput during testing while the U10S Pro could not fully utilise its higher capability.

In stronger coverage areas — urban centres, near windows, transport hubs or near masts — the U10S Pro has significantly greater performance potential.

Key takeaway: signal quality has a larger impact than whether the device is labelled 4G or 5G.

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Which Should You Choose?

Choose the U10S Pro if:

• You have strong 5G coverage
• You want maximum future-proof performance
• You prefer quick connection features and a display
• You connect fewer devices

Choose the U30 Air if:

• You need consistent everyday connectivity
• You connect many devices
• You mainly use the hotspot indoors
• You want simple long-running operation

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Verdict

The U10S Pro offers the higher performance ceiling where 5G coverage is strong, while the U30 Air prioritises stability and device capacity in mixed-coverage environments.

The better option depends primarily on where the hotspot will be used rather than the specification sheet alone.

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Buy With Confidence from eFones

• UK stock
• Unlocked to all networks
• UK support
• 2-Year LIVEWIRE warranty
• Easy returns

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are real speeds lower than advertised?

Advertised speeds are theoretical maximums under ideal signal conditions. Real-world performance depends on coverage, congestion and placement.

Is 5G always faster than 4G?

No — 5G is faster in strong signal conditions, but 4G can be more consistent in weaker areas.

Which is better for multiple devices?

The U30 Air supports more simultaneous connections, making it better for shared use.