In recent years, certain events have forced us to change many aspects of our lives, including the way we work. While many of us are now working from home, it’s important to consider the tech that surrounds us, and if that too, is capable of stepping up to this change in lifestyle. Thankfully, the D-Link G415 AX1500 4G Smart Router is a tremendous all-rounder that will suit most home NBN connections, while providing the versatility for those who are working without an in-built internet solution, giving your phone some relaxation time from extended hours of hot-spotting.
Design
The D-Link G415 AX1500 4G Smart Router is incredibly sleek and smaller than most high-end routers on the market. For many, the minimalistic white design might prove a little more fitting compared to the high-end mesh and gaming routers that look like a multi-coloured UFO. With dual 4G antennas on the back, the G415 still stands at just over 7 inches tall.
That being said, it may be annoying for some, but the G415 cannot be mounted or laid flat, meaning it will have to stand in a particular corner, usually next to an NBN box. Beyond that, there’s not necessarily much more to the G415, and I can honestly appreciate it. It comes fitted with a power light, five connection based lights and a mobile signal indicator, should you wish to use a 4G connection.
Performance
In terms of a smart router, the G415 ticks almost any box you can think of for a router the $299 price tag, and then some. Thanks to 4G compatibility, users can insert a 4G sim card into the side for the router to utilise a mobile internet connection, which can be used in one of two ways. Firstly, the router can defer to this connection should your broadband internet experience an outage. Secondly, the 4G component can be used on its own, should you want to take this on the road, or use it in a house with no fixed internet connection. Keep in mind, this is not necessarily a portable device, so it’s hard to judge based on its versatility in multiple locations,. although, it’s not trying to content with a Netgear Nighthawk router, which is dedicated to 4G compatibility alone.
The G415 serves as both a mobile and broadband router, allowing users to take advantage of 4G CAT4 connectivity at up to 150 Mbps speeds and Dual band Wi-Fi 6 speeds of up to 1500 Mbps. It’s par for the course in terms of Wi-Fi, but definitely up to speed in terms of what the majority of internet users in Australia would need. Featuring the latest Wi-Fi 6, users should see an increase in speed compared to the traditional routers given to you by internet providers, as Wi-Fi 6 allows for higher Gbps speeds compared to Wi-Fi 5, bringing that older 80MHz channel width to 160MHz.
Designed with included Eagle Pro AI features controlled by the Eagle Pro AI app, the G415 automatically picks up on the general traffic of both the amount of users and internet users throughout the home and continuously works to provide users with the best form of connectivity. Should you be using this in the home without 4G connectivity, the featured dual band Wi-Fi will feel more accessible as a result. The G415 also features an AI Mesh Optimiser along with AI-enhanced Beamforming technology that general provides the home and individual users with a broader range and more consistent connection. Most users would look to Wi-Fi extenders for basic routers, while I would recommend taking advantage of a better router like this in the first place for the sake of consistency.
The G415 also supports mesh connectivity, meaning you can pair various mesh extenders and premium D-Link devices including the M15 and R15 to create a more stable connection throughout the home. A mesh system is definitely the way to go moving forward, and you’ll find that most premium internet routers will support this feature for future use. In addition to this, the included AI Mesh Optimiser will work in the background to make sure all users in the home are always connected to the nearest mesh point, all of which can be easily controlled and managed through the Eagle Pro AI Companion app.
Software
The free Eagle Pro AI companion app is also required for the initial setup of the G415, but absolutely essential in terms of maximising efficiency. It’s incredibly easy to navigate, and is responsible for additional features, including the aforementioned AI Mesh Optimiser and the handy AI Parental Control.
As the name suggests, AI Parental Control allows users to monitor and manage their children’s online activities. From here, you can create a profile for individual users to block and minimize access to the internet. Aside from the rampant virus exposure that may be a cause for concern for some parents, certain sites can even be curbed thanks to a web filter.
The Eagle Pro AI App also allows for voice control through multiple platforms including the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This might feel unnecessary for some, but is a welcome inclusion for those looking to turn their home into a smart, interconnected haven. The included AI Assistant can also whip up weekly reports for you incusing user activity and general internet traffic, with recommendations on how to solve the issues that may arise as a result. Overall, the app is incredibly easy to navigate and continuously informative at every step.
Verdict & Value
The D-Link G415 AX1500 4G Smart Router is an incredibly versatile all-rounder that ticks most of the boxes general internet users would want out of a stable connected and informed activity. It’s worth noting if you would need the 4G compatibility given the lack of portability, but is once again a welcome addition to cater for unique situations such as working from home or elsewhere. Thanks to the Eagle Pro AI app, the experience is incredibly smooth and easy to adjust, while most of the nifty features like AI Traffic and AI Mesh Optimisers aim to work in the background, while you work on the task at hand. Should the $299 price point suit, it might be a little hard to find something as good or as versatile anywhere else.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Solid performance and range; AI Traffic and AI Mesh features come in handy; Eagle Pro AI companion app is a joy to use
Lowlights: Not everyone may need a router for 4G compatibility
Manufacturer: D-Link
Price: A$299
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by D-Link.