Review: ZTE Warp Connect for Sprint & Boost Mobile (Mobile Hotspot)

This device has been discontinued or we consider it obsolete. While current owners of this device may continue to find performance to be adequate for the foreseeable tech-future, we do not recommend upgrading to or purchasing this device.

May 10, 2018 Battery Warning: Mobile Beacon, supplier of the non-profit Sprint based plans available through organizations like Calyx and PCs for People is tracking an unusually high number of reports of swollen batteries and even fires caused by this device. No recall has been published yet. Given that this device does NOT have a user replaceable battery - we advise high caution with this device. Keep an extra close eye on your unit for signs of battery swelling and discontinue use immediately if you notice any.

To reduce chances of battery swelling, we advise not keeping this unit plugged or charging 24/7 (unplug it for a few hours a day) - and be extra cautious of running consistent high loads on it, especially in weak signal areas which requires more power usage. For maximum safety, discontinue use entirely.

ZTE in the News: ZTE has been in the news a lot lately thanks to the sanctions the company has been negotiating with the US government. At one point, it seemed as if ZTE would be forced out of business.

In mid-July 2018 it looked like the dust has settled and ZTE would be able to continue releasing new products and supporting older devices, so we dropped our previous warning.

However, as of late 2018, the Trump administration is considering a ban on ZTE and Huawei via Executive Order.

Members, get our further analysis and follow our ongoing tracking of this story in our Special Announcements forum:

ALERT: Future of ZTE In Doubt - Mobley, Warp, Velocity 2, other devices impacted

The ZTE Warp Connect is a 802.11b/g/n mobile hotspot device available for Sprint's network and offered by Boost Mobile, a prepaid subsidiary of Sprint.

The ZTE Warp can connect up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices at a time.

Its onscreen display allows users to to see usage and connection on device.

Specifications

Model Number: ZTE MF920VS
# of Connected Devices: 10 via WiFi
Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.128.1 or http://myhotspot
Default Password: "password"
USB Tethering Support: Yes
Supported Networks and Bands:
LTE Bands: B25/26/41/2/4/5/12
3G: Yes
LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Band 25, 26, 41 - Spark
MIMO Support: 2x2 Internal and external
LTE Performance Category: Cat-4
(Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50 Mbps Up)
Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x MIMO (T-S9)
Other Ports: microUSB (charging/tethering)
Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 802.11 b/g/n - 2.4GHz
Battery Life: 8-10 hrs usage
Can Be Powered Without a Battery: No - battery not removable
Dimensions: 4.6'' x 2.6'' x 0.57''
SIM Card Type: Nano
Retail Price: Boost Mobile: $49.99

Review & Testing Status

We purchased a Calyx membership with a year of unlimited Sprint service, which included the Warp device. It works as advertised, but the reports of battery issues with this device are concerning.

Our field testing results can be found here for our members who want to follow along:
Cellular Signal & Embedded Router Field Testing – IBR900 | MAX-BR1 | Drive Sleek | MIMO Antennas (1st Quarter 2018)

Potential Alternatives to Consider:

For other popular mobile hotspots on the market - here are our featured options:

Learn More About Selecting LTE Hotspots

More Information Available to our Members

We are honored to be able to present the above overview for free without 3rd party advertising.

In thanks for funding this resource center our members have access to any further notes, analysis, insider info, member experiences and/or our full in-depth review of this product or offering.

If you're a member, please log in above to read the review.

Learn About Membership