Verizon Releases A New 5G Mobile Hotspot – The Orbic Speed X 5G

Verizon released a new 5G mobile hotspot device, the Speed X 5G, by Orbic. This new hotspot is a mid-range option with a price ($199) and features between Verizon's flagship Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G UW and the other hotspots Verizon currently offers.

This new hotspot adds to Verizon's extensive lineup, which now includes five different 5G mobile hotspot devices. So what is different about this one compared to the others?

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Orbic Speed X 5G Specifications

The heart of any mobile hotspot device is the cellular modem, and in the 5G era, the modem a device has makes a tremendous difference in performance and compatibility as 5G continues to grow and mature.

The modem in the Orbic hotspot is the Qualcomm Snapdragon X62, a modern and good-performing modem commonly found in many devices in 2024. The X62 is a "5G Phase 2" modem, which supports features and technologies that make it more future-proof than older designs like the X55.

Here are the cellular bands the Orbic supports:

• 5G Sub-6GHz: n2, n5, n66, n77
• 5G mmWave: n260, n261
• LTE (Cat-20): 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 48, 66

This includes the critical bands Verizon uses, including Verizon's newest mid-band n77 spectrum.

One note, however, is that, at press time, the supported frequencies listed on the Orbic website vs Verizon's page differ. Verizon, for example, does not list mmWave support. We believe the Orbic specs are correct, as they match the specs in the regulatory filing for the FCC. However, if something changes, we will update this article and our content.

Unsurprisingly, this hotspot is optimized for Verizon's network and would not be a good choice to use on AT&T or T-Mobile.

Wired Connectivity Options

The Orbic uses USB-C tethering and a Gigabit Ethernet port for wired LAN connectivity. Once rare, Ethernet ports have become standard on most 5G mobile hotspot devices. The Ethernet port allows much more flexibility for connecting a hotspot to devices that do not have USB, such as many routers. The Ethernet port is turned off by default to save power, so it must be turned on in the device settings before use.

The USB-C 3.0 port—the standard USB interface for mobile hotspots—provides a data connection and charges the device. Additionally, the device's battery can be used to charge other devices via the same USB port.

Wi-Fi 6

For Wi-Fi, the Orbic supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is the most common Wi-Fi standard in 2024. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies with a guest network for both.  The Orbic can support up to 32 Wi-Fi clients.

No Antenna Ports

Like most 5G mobile hotspots, the Orbic does not include external cellular antenna ports. While this is disappointing, it's currently standard for all 5G hotspots except those made by Netgear.

For our audience of RVers, boaters, and nomads, antenna ports are a valuable feature that allows for the easy connection of a cellular antenna in areas with a weak signal. 

Verizon 5G Hotspot Comparison

With the Orbic Speed X 5G introduction, Verizon now offers five different 5G mobile hotspot devices. It's very unusual to have that many at once, and we expect that one or more will soon be retired.

Here is a quick comparison of the currently available models:

• Inseego MiFi M2100 5G UW - $399 - Launched in September 2020, this older-generation mobile hotspot uses the Qualcomm X55 modem.  
• Orbic Speed 5G UW—$299—Launched in March 2022, this hotspot also uses the last-generation X55 modem.
• Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G UW (M3100)—$349—Released in August 2022, this hotspot remains Verizon's flagship with the X65 cellular modem.
• TCL Linkzone 5G UW—$299—Released in November 2022, this hotspot is similar on paper to the Orbic Speed X 5G and utilizes the X62 modem.
• Orbic Speed X 5G - $199 - Verizon's newest hotspot and the subject of this article.

Getting the Orbic Speed X 5G

This new hotspot is currently only available directly from Verizon for $199.99 for consumer and prepaid customers. The SKU# is R562L5BVZ on Verizon's website.

Eventually, the hotspot will likely become available from third-party vendors, but for now, it is only available directly from Verizon.

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Concluding Thoughts

We always get a bit excited when new 5G devices are released, but in this case, the Orbic Speed X 5G doesn't break any new ground. It uses the tried-and-true X62 modem and sells at an attractive price point - $199. It has all the usual features we expect to see in a mobile hotspot, including Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and an Ethernet-out port.

The Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G UW maintains its place as Verizon's flagship and one of our Top Picks, albeit for a significant $150 price premium over the new Orbic. Those looking for a new Verizon mobile hotspot should compare available models carefully, as some pack less capability for more money or utilize dated modems and lack important features.

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