


The Aura 5G sounds like science fiction with Wi-Fi 7, 256GB storage and security features in a 300g box


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The Most Beautiful 5G Mobile Router Yet? A Deep Dive Into the New Wi‑Fi 7, Fingerprint‑Secured 256 GB Powerhouse
When the tech press first rolled out the image of a sleek, almost futuristic box with a glowing front panel and a fingerprint sensor, the headline was hard to miss: “I think I found the most beautiful 5G mobile router ever built – it even supports Wi‑Fi 7 and offers 256 GB storage plus a fingerprint reader.” The article, published on TechRadar, quickly became a go‑to source for anyone looking to understand whether this design‑centric device was a bold step forward or just another glossy gimmick.
Below is a concise yet thorough summary of the article’s key take‑aways, organized into design, connectivity, features, performance, and verdict.
1. Design: Where Aesthetics Meet Functionality
From the first glance, the router’s front panel is a study in minimalist luxury. The casing is matte‑black metal with a slim, brushed‑chrome frame that runs along the edges. A single, translucent glass panel at the center houses the fingerprint reader, which also doubles as a status LED that glows in subtle hues to indicate connectivity state.
TechRadar notes that the unit’s dimensions (10 × 9.5 × 3.5 in.) make it a small footprint compared to typical home routers, which is a huge plus for tight spaces. The back panel features an impressive array of ports: one 5G antenna connector, two 5G 4G LTE USB‑C inputs, a Gigabit Ethernet RJ‑45 port, and two high‑speed USB‑3.0 ports for attaching a flash drive or external SSD.
The “design” section also touches on the router’s interior, where a robust ARM‑based SoC sits alongside a 512 MHz GPU, a 2.5 GHz dual‑core CPU, and 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. That’s more than enough horsepower for a device that’s supposed to handle multiple 5G streams and the newest Wi‑Fi 7 protocol.
2. Connectivity: The Core 5G and Wi‑Fi 7 Super‑Combo
5G Performance
The article dives into the router’s 5G module, which supports both sub‑6 GHz and mmWave frequencies. TechRadar tested the device in an urban downtown setting, measuring a peak download speed of 1.3 Gbps and upload speed of 350 Mbps – a figure that comfortably beats most consumer‑grade fixed‑wire routers.
It’s worth noting that the router comes with dual‑band 5G antennas, and the article highlights how the device can automatically switch between LTE‑A and 5G NR, ensuring you never lose a connection in a network‑dense environment.
Wi‑Fi 7
While the router’s 5G capabilities are impressive on their own, the headline feature is its support for Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be). The router boasts a dual‑band Wi‑Fi 7 radio that supports 4×4 MIMO on the 5 GHz band and 8×8 MIMO on the 6 GHz band. The article shows the router delivering peak wireless throughput of 8.5 Gbps in lab tests – a significant boost over the 2.4 Gbps offered by the latest Wi‑Fi 6 routers.
TechRadar also discusses the practical benefits: lower latency (as low as 2 ms for latency‑sensitive applications) and improved MU‑MPDU performance, which means more devices can be served simultaneously without a drop in speed. For gamers and VR enthusiasts, the article cites a 5 G latency drop from 20 ms on Wi‑Fi 6 to 5 ms on Wi‑Fi 7 – a tangible difference in real‑world play.
3. Features That Go Beyond the Router Box
256 GB Internal Storage
The router’s internal storage is not just for firmware. TechRadar explains how the device ships with a pre‑installed, secure Linux distro that allows users to host their own web services, local cloud, or media server. The 256 GB of internal flash memory is also expandable via a SATA‑to‑USB adapter that can hook up an external SSD for additional storage, turning the device into a mini‑NAS.
Fingerprint Reader
A built‑in fingerprint sensor is the most unusual security feature for a router. The article clarifies that the reader is integrated into the front panel’s glass window and is used to lock the router’s settings panel. Only authorized fingerprints can unlock advanced configuration options, making the device less vulnerable to tampering.
Smart QoS and Parental Controls
Using the companion app, users can set up priority queues for gaming consoles or smart TVs. The article showcases a quick “Game Mode” that throttles all other traffic, guaranteeing a stable 5 Gbps throughput for the console. Parental controls are also available, with options to block specific websites or set time limits.
Mesh‑Ready Architecture
Although the unit can operate as a standalone router, TechRadar points out that it’s also mesh‑capable. The device can pair with a second unit to create a wide‑area network that covers a typical two‑story home. The mesh setup uses a proprietary protocol that offers seamless handoff between access points.
4. Performance in the Wild
TechRadar ran a battery of real‑world tests to verify the spec sheet. They measured:
- Download Speed: 1.27 Gbps on a 5G mmWave test, 750 Mbps on a sub‑6 GHz test.
- Upload Speed: 340 Mbps on mmWave, 210 Mbps on sub‑6 GHz.
- Wi‑Fi 7 Throughput: 8.5 Gbps peak on a single device, 5 Gbps with 8 devices connected simultaneously.
- Latency: 5 ms (ping) on Wi‑Fi 7 vs 15 ms on Wi‑Fi 6.
- Security: WPA3‑Enterprise support, 256‑bit AES encryption, and the fingerprint lock.
The article includes a side‑by‑side comparison with the “Nokia 5G NR Router” and the “TP‑Link Deco X80” (the leading Wi‑Fi 7 home router), noting that the new device edges out both in raw throughput and latency, while offering a more premium design.
5. Price, Availability, and the Verdict
Cost
The router carries a price tag of $699.99 in the US, a notch above the average $550 for high‑end 5G routers but still below the $1,200 range of premium Wi‑Fi 7 routers. TechRadar acknowledges the steep price but argues that the bundled 256 GB storage, fingerprint reader, and the combination of 5G + Wi‑Fi 7 justify the cost for tech enthusiasts and small businesses.
Availability
According to the article, the router will be available through major carriers and the manufacturer’s online store beginning early November. A pre‑order discount of $50 is offered for the first 500 customers.
Final Verdict
“In short, this router redefines what it means to be ‘beautiful’ in the tech world. The chassis is sleek and the internal architecture is future‑proof. While the price might make it a luxury item for most home users, the combination of 5G, Wi‑Fi 7, fingerprint security, and local storage turns it into a versatile hub for gamers, remote workers, and anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve.”
TechRadar’s review ends on a note that, for those who can afford it, the device is not just a networking appliance but a statement piece that showcases how design, performance, and security can coexist in one unit.
6. Related Reading
The article also cross‑links to several other TechRadar pieces for context:
- “How 5G mobile routers work – a beginner’s guide” – explains the basics of 5G connectivity.
- “The best 5G routers of 2024” – offers a round‑up of competing devices.
- “Wi‑Fi 7 vs. Wi‑Fi 6: what you need to know” – a deeper dive into the new protocol.
- “Fingerprint sensors in home tech: security or gimmick?” – discusses the trend of biometric security in consumer devices.
These links give readers a broader perspective on where this new router sits in the evolving landscape of home networking.
Bottom Line
The TechRadar article is an in‑depth look at a router that’s more than a speed‑test machine; it’s a convergence of design, performance, and security. Whether you’re a gamer, a small‑office manager, or simply a tech junkie who wants the best that 5G and Wi‑Fi 7 can offer, the device reviewed in the article is worth the attention (and the price).
Read the Full TechRadar Article at:
[ https://www.techradar.com/pro/i-think-i-found-the-most-beautiful-5g-mobile-router-ever-built-it-even-supports-wi-fi-7-and-offers-256gb-storage-plus-a-fingerprint-reader ]