We’ve all been in that nightmare scenario. The power goes out, your home Wi-Fi is dead, and you have a critical work deadline. You turn on your phone’s hotspot, praying the battery lasts. Acer thinks it has the perfect answer with its new Connect M4 5G Mobile Wi-Fi router. But at ₹20,000, is it a solution, or just an expensive paperweight?
Acer’s New 5G Router: A Lifesaver or a Waste of Money?
Let’s get one thing straight: the idea of a personal, portable 5G Wi-Fi hub is very cool. In a country like India, where our broadband can be… let’s say, moody, having a reliable backup is a tempting thought. Acer just launched their Connect M4 5G router, and on paper, it looks like a beast. But it also comes with a beastly price tag of ₹19,999.
This brings us to the single most important question you should be asking yourself: Why on earth would I buy this when my smartphone already has a hotspot button?
For the last decade, our phones have been our go-to for emergency internet. So, is Acer trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist? Or are there actual, real-world situations where this expensive little box makes perfect sense? As someone who has relied on a mobile hotspot in more villages and highways than I can count, let’s break it down.
First, The Specs: What is This Thing, Anyway?
Before we debate its existence, let’s see what you get for twenty thousand rupees. The Acer Connect M4 is a dedicated portable router. You put a SIM card in it, and it blasts out a Wi-Fi 6 signal that up to 16 devices can connect to. The headline feature is its massive 8000mAh battery, which Acer claims can last up to 28 hours. It also has a USB-C port for charging.
The specs are solid. No doubt about it. But specs on a page don’t tell you the whole story. The real story is how this compares to the free hotspot you already own.
The Big Showdown: Acer Connect M4 vs. Your Phone’s Hotspot
This is the only comparison that matters. Let’s pit them against each other on the factors that count.
1. Battery Life: A Knockout Win for Acer This isn’t even a fair fight. Using your phone as a hotspot is the fastest way to kill its battery. I’ve seen a full charge on my iPhone vanish in three to four hours of continuous hotspot use for my laptop. It’s a stressful, cable-juggling nightmare. The Acer Connect M4, with its gigantic 8000mAh battery, completely solves this. It can power through your entire workday and then some, without you ever having to worry about your phone dying.
2. Signal Strength and Stability: The Hidden Advantage In my experience, a dedicated hotspot device often gets a better, more stable signal than a smartphone. Why? Because it has one job. Its internal space is dedicated to larger, better-quality antennas for catching mobile signals. Your phone has to cram antennas in alongside a processor, cameras, and a huge screen. In a Tier-2 city or a rural area where the 5G signal is weak, the Acer M4 will likely hold onto that signal more reliably than your phone.
3. Number of Connections: For the Whole Family Ever tried connecting your laptop, your partner’s phone, and a tablet to your phone’s hotspot all at once? It usually turns into a laggy, frustrating mess as your phone’s tiny processor struggles to manage everything. The Acer M4 is built to handle up to 16 devices. This makes it perfect for a family on a road trip, keeping kids entertained on their tablets in the back seat without a single complaint.
So, Who Is This Actually For? My User Profiles
This device is not for everyone. In fact, it’s for a very specific set of people. If you see yourself in one of these profiles, then the ₹20,000 price tag might actually be a smart investment.
- The “Work-From-Hometown” Professional: You live in a metro city but often travel back to your hometown where the local broadband is unreliable. You need a rock-solid internet backup to guarantee you can take video calls and meet deadlines. For you, this device is a professional tool.
- The Traveling Family: Your idea of a vacation is a long road trip. You need to keep multiple devices online for navigation, music streaming, and entertaining the kids. The M4 is your personal, in-car internet bubble.
- The “PG/Hostel” Student Crew: Your college hostel Wi-Fi is a joke, and you and your three roommates are always fighting for bandwidth. You could pool your money, get a single data-only SIM, and use the M4 as your own private, reliable network for studying and streaming.
If you don’t fit into one of these categories, you should probably just buy a good power bank and save your money.
A Reality Check Before You Buy
- It’s Another Device to Carry and Charge: Don’t forget that this is one more thing to put in your bag, with one more cable to remember. It adds to your travel clutter, unlike the hotspot that’s already in your phone.
- You Need a Second SIM Card: This device needs its own SIM card with its own data plan. You need to factor in the cost and management of a second mobile plan, which adds to the overall expense.
- Is It Really Faster Than Your Phone? While the signal stability might be better, the raw 5G speed will be determined by the network in your area. This device won’t magically create a super-fast signal where one doesn’t exist.
Feature Face-Off: The Only Comparison That Matters
| Feature | Acer Connect M4 5G | Your Smartphone Hotspot |
| Impact on Phone Battery | None. Your phone stays fully charged. | Catastrophic. Drains your battery in a few hours. |
| Signal Stability | Often Better due to dedicated antennas. | Good, but can be less stable under weak signal. |
| Max Connected Devices | Up to 16 | Usually struggles with more than 2 or 3. |
| Upfront Cost | ₹19,999 | Free (already in your phone). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a new SIM card for the Acer Connect M4?
Yes, you do. The device works like a phone, so it needs its own SIM card with an active mobile data plan to create a Wi-Fi network. You’ll need to manage this as a separate line from your main phone number.
Is the internet speed from this device faster than my phone’s 5G?
Not necessarily. The speed you get is determined by your mobile operator’s network coverage in your specific location. While the M4 might hold a signal more stably, the peak download and upload speeds will be very similar to what you’d get from a high-end 5G smartphone on the same network.
Can I use the 8000mAh battery to charge my phone, like a power bank?
The article doesn’t specify if the USB-C port supports reverse charging (power output). Many such devices do, but you would need to check the product’s detailed specifications. If it does, that would be a great added benefit.
I travel a lot for work and my phone battery always dies. Is this worth ₹20,000 for me?
If you are a heavy hotspot user and constantly find your phone dead by midday, this device could be a lifesaver. Think about it this way: how much is a full day of stress-free, reliable internet and a fully charged phone worth to your productivity? If that value is more than ₹20,000 over the next couple of years, then it’s a good investment for your work.
