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Today, Netgear announced the availability of its latest mobile hotspot, the Nighthawk M7 Pro (model MR7400).
It's not the company's first 5G cellular mobile routerโthere have been at least the M6 Pro and M6โbut it's the first to feature Wi-Fi 7. The support for the latest Wi-Fi can be a huge deal. Or is it?
Netgear M7 Pro: Improvement over the M6 Pro at a lower price
Per Netgear, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon SDX75 chipset, the M7 Pro is slated to provide "flexible, high-speed connectivity for consumers and businesses anywhere, anytime." That's if "anywhere" is understood as the area of AT&T's coverageโthe cellular provider the hotspot is locked to, at least at launch.
Despite the support for Wi-Fi 7, the M7 Pro has a lot of similarities with the M6 Pro.
It, too, is a compact, squarish box with a 2.8-inch touchscreen on top, which seems more vibrant than the predecessor's. On one side, there's also a 2.5Gbps port that can work as WAN or LAN and a USB-C port for charging or additional features, depending on the usage.
Additionally, there are also two TS9 RF ports for Netgear's external omnidirectional MIMO antenna (not included) to improve cellular reception.
Most noticeably, the M7 Pro remains a pseudo-tri-band Wi-Fi broadcaster. Specifically, it features "tri-band WiFi 7 with dual-band dual concurrent operation." Translation: only two bands can work at a time.
Still, thanks to Wi-Fi 7's Multi-Link Operation (MLO), when the 5GHz and 6GHz bands are used, per Netgear, the two can be linked together via bandwidth aggregation.
In my real-world testing, MLO has proved to be an excellent feature for mesh systems with wireless backhauling. It has had little performance impact when serving Wi-Fi 7 clients and can cause backward compatibility issues with legacy devices. In the case of mobile hotspots, this feature is simply not practical.
Speaking of bandwdith, Netgear says the M7 Pro can deliver up to 7.5Gbps via 5G, though the real-world connection, which varies from one area to another, will likely be much lower than that.
The little mobile hotspot can also work as a standard router when hooked to a wired internet source, such as a cable modem, a fiberoptic ONT, or a network port in a hotel room. In this case, it can handle up to 2.5Gbps of broadband connection.
The table below shows the new M7 Pro's hardware specifications against those of its older cousin.
Hardware specifications: Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro vs. M6 pro
| Netgear MR7400 Nighthawk M7 Pro Mobile Router | Netgear MR6550 Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Router | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Model | M7 Pro or MR7400 | M6 Pro or MR6550 |
| 5G Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon SDX75 | Qualcomm SDX65 |
| 5G Speed (up to) | 7.5Gbps | 8Gbps |
| 5G Technology | Sub6(6CC)/300MHz, NR-CA | Sub 6 and mmWave(9xCA) |
| 4G Speed (up to) | 2Gbps | |
| 4G Technology | CAT 20 LTE A(5xCA) | |
| Wi-Fi Bandwidth | Tri-band BE5600 | Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E AXE3600 |
| Wi-Fi Security | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 | |
| Battery | 5040mAh Li-ion (removable) | |
| Battery Life (up to) | 10 hours | 13 hours |
| Power Consumption (per 24 hours) | not yet tested | โ 70 Wh (measured when plugged in, battery removed) |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 4.14 x 4.14 x .85 in (105 x 105 x 21.5 mm) | |
| Weight (with battery) | โ 0.55 lb (252 g) | |
| SIM Type | Nano-SIM (4FF) | |
| Network | AT&T | Unlocked |
| Ports | 1x USB Type-C (charging/data) 1x 2.5Gbps Ethernet 2x TS9 RF ports (for external antennasโnot included) | |
| USB Standard | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) | |
| Screen | 2.8โ LCD touchscreen | |
| Operating Roles | Mobile hotspot/USB cellular modem, Wi-Fi repeater, Wi-Fi router | |
| Networking Features | โข Guest Network โข Wi-Fi Protected Setup โข WPS on/off control โข Wi-Fi on/off control โข Wi-Fi SSID broadcast on/off control โข VPN passthrough โข MAC address filtering โข Website filtering โข Port forwarding โข Port filtering โข Password-protected web admin portal | |
| Max Concurrent Wi-Fi Clients | 64 | 32 |
| US MSRP | $449.99 (only at AT&T) | $999 |
A tiny but powerful device for home and business users
Like the case of the M6 Pro, the M7 Pro is designed to provide any user with a secure Internet connection via its private Wi-Fi network. It has a built-in firewall and the flexibility of connection options, including failover options via dual-WAN.
For business users, Netgear says it's a perfect device to set up a remote office at a moment's notice. Addtionally, it can be part of the company's total network solution or integrated with its Insight Pro service.
In all, the new M7 Pro is an incremental improvement over the M6 Pro, though it's not entirely all better. The battery life, for example, is slated to be shorter.
Still, in real-world usage, chances are both will deliver the same experience. The compact design and versatility in connecting devices will make either of the two an excellent travel router.
And that brings us to the cost, where the M7 Pro is much friendlier than the previous version.
Pricing and availability
Unlike the M6 Pro, which cost a thousand dollars at launch and is still very expensive today, the M7 Pro can be had for less than half of a grand.
There's a catch.
While the M6 Pro is unlocked to work with any provider, the new M7 Pro, per Netgear, is available only at AT&T, at least for now. You can get it today outright for $449.99. There's a $100 or $200 discount when you sign up for a 2-year or 3-year contract.
I’m interested in the Netgear m7 for the 5G Advance capability, in addition to the WiFi 7. I do want the unlocked one because I go to Canada a couple times a year and want the better connection of the unlocked version, similar to M6 6550 one. Also want antenna too ๐
You’ll have to wait to see if Netgear will release an unlocked version.
The AT&T lock on the Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router is very unfair, if you happen to live in Italy, because there is no AT&T service provider – and yet the device obviously would function on Italian carriers should the device be unlocked.
Although Italy sells Wi-Fi 7 laptops, routers, etcetera we don’t have a hotspot yet for supporting W-Fi 7.
So, I would assume, AT&T must have a method to unlock the Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router using a code given they advertised support in 125 countries?
Is the code entered in it’s https GUI, or firmware? Would the code be the same for everyone else using the Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router too? What does the code look like, 7 digits or something more complicated or encrypted?
Now, if anyone like me was trying to contact AT&T to ask for the unlocking – no email address is offered, and the chat is is locked into specific topics that don’t match this Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router device for unlocking. A huge big business that blocks communication – no email addresses given out. Zero!
Maybe someone else actually uses the Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router when traveling to those 125 other countries, who can share to us in your forum what they did, how they did it, and etcetera?
I think for a manufacture to lock in a device for only using for AT&T is just wrong, actually illegal, because this is against fair competition, by denying participation among other carriers to support the device that obviously can function using their service too.
U.S. businesses providing services should never be locked in to prevent competition, as such practices undermine market fairness and openness, stifle innovation, and restrict the sharing of resources, ultimately benefiting monopolies at the expense of consumers and the economy. Anti-competitive behavior creates an uneven playing field, limiting choices and quality for consumers, which is detrimental to a healthy market.
If the Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router (Model: MR7400) was sold unlocked, it would support everyone who wanted to use it wherever they lived in those 125 countries, like in Italy.
Also, the cost of $500 is a lot better than the previous unlocked Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro at $1000+ dollars.
Neatgear is basically owned by 82.15% institutional investors – like Blackrock, whom is owned by VanGuard. Of course, these institutions hide their real ownership names, and if anyone knew, would they allow Rothschild to get away with it?
Does anyone know who these institutional investors are that support selling “locked devices”? We should stand together, and say this is wrong, but my words won’t be enough to change anything here – just wait – for the digital ID’s, CBDC’s, Social Scoring and Ai to lock in more artificial restrictions over choice, the right to choose ourselves. We are giving away our freedom, to be sold “locked in” devices.
There might unlock version eventually, Lily.
Ciao Bella Dong Ngo,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply, showing your support – while trying to remain neutral on the subject – although it’s differently a topic to address.
Surely, businesses have a responsibility to society that goes beyond just serving their own interests or those of their shareholders?
As wealth and power become increasingly concentrated, there is a growing risk of companies using their influence to shape rules, policies, and regulations in ways that benefit themselves at the expense of the greater good, right?
Technology companies, in particular, have a duty to develop products and services that empower all people and respect their fundamental rights.
While artificial restrictions, lack of transparency, and anti-competitive behavior erodes public trust and hinder technology’s positive societal impact.
Don’t we need “ethical technology development” to prioritize public autonomy, interoperability, and the equitable distribution of benefits in society?
The example of NetGear’s Nighthawk M7 Mobile Pro Router, which was locked exclusively to AT&T customers, highlights how corporate self-interest can come at the cost of broader societal inclusion.
Practices that segment society and restrict access to essential services or technologies are fundamentally at odds with the principles of a fair, innovative, and equitable economy.
Policy makers, regulators, and the public must remain vigilant in identifying and addressing such harmful capitalist excesses! Only then can we ensure that technological progress and economic development serve the greater good, rather than further concentrating power and wealth in the hands of a few, right?
Surely, my concerns are valid and deserve to be heard. I encourage everyone to continue advocating for a more equitable and inclusive economic system that prioritizes the needs of society as a whole.
Together, we can work towards a future where businesses are true partners in building a better world for all of us together – don’t you agree?
Note: military veterans defended their country, by not excluding out AT&T. Medical doctors don’t lockout patients from cures and medical treatments unless their are AT&T institutional investors? PG&E doesn’t lockout electricity except for AT&T? The Internet isn’t lockout for any country, including Russia or AT&T.
So why does AT&T get to lockout everyone else, without realizing how important that everyone else made possible for AT&T to exist?
If anyone else agrees, say so, be heard, speak up for our rights to be included, otherwise this type of criminal behavior will become entrenched, expected by these institutionalized investors to profit over society, when the US has laws prohibiting fair market abuse;
1) The Sherman Antitrust Act: that prohibits monopolistic practices and other actions that restrain trade or commerce.
2) The Federal Trade Commission Act: Empowers the FTC to investigate and take action against “unfair methods of competition” and “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
3) The Robinson-Patman Act: Prohibits certain discriminatory pricing practices that disadvantage some customers over others.
AT&T exclusionary practices segregate society into different classes, for which widens socioeconomic divides and denies marginalized groups fair opportunities.
Who appointed AT&T to define and make policies that reshape society without our consent? Are we just surrendering away our sovereignty to remain silent?
You lost me with “Ciao Bella”, Lily.
Lily is an Instagram influencer with 3.5 million followers. Her comments feel like AI.