Hi,
I pre-ordered the Flint 4. I’m looking forward to using that by the time I get it.
So looking at the specifications. I DO like the inclusion of USB C. Yet I feel you should have given that port fast charging capability. So if such a thing as a Flint 5 exists in the future, I’d like to see something like 15w/25w fast charging through it on the USB C port.
I don’t pay for broadband. I have my phone and I share my data plan with a router that subsequently shares the internet with all the devices connected to it. This is what I’ll do with my upcoming Flint 4.
USB Tethering on Android is unviable, no router (That I’ve used) has had a USB C port before and none of the type A ports have had a charge strong enough to maintain the battery. On USB Tethering, because 5G is SO power hungry, the phone drains quicker than the battery can replenish. Forcing other options to connect the device to the router.0
No manuals yet for the Flint 4, but I can make back of the napkin maths to determine the max charge of the ports from what is said on the specifications. If USB load increases the device from 25w to 45w. That is an increase of 20w. with 2 USB ports (a type A and a C) that is assumed to be 5v 2a on each one. That isn’t fast charging, so I cant expect to use USB tethering on here.
But I’m not criticising. If there is anything you take forward for the Flint 5, PLEASE make it fast charging on the USB C port, 15w or 25w… Enough to match a phone in the age it is released. I don’t mind if the power block has to be bigger to accommodate that. That is all.
Thank you for your time.
Hi,
Thank you for the suggestion and for sharing your use case with us.
The USB port on Flint 4 currently provides up to 5V/2A. Supporting higher-power charging such as 15W or 25W would require additional hardware considerations, including a PD controller, power conversion circuitry, thermal design, and a higher overall power budget for the router.
For long-term cellular Internet use, you may also consider using a compatible cellular modem or USB dongle with the Flint 4. This allows the router to use cellular data directly without requiring a phone to remain connected and charging continuously.
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I just hope USB C fast charging is something you can take into consideration for a future “Flint 5”… Should one ever exist. Or to better put it, your next router revision (Probably WiFi 8).
The use case you outline somewhat limits (or entirely eliminates) the possibility of using the device for calling/texting/picky things that require their “app” to use. The modems require using the SIM exclusively and I mostly just stick to 1 data contract with my device. The original message is the best of both worlds situation. Using a viable USB Tethering option with a Flint #* router that has fast charging capability makes the device still usable and the router able to share that internet.
There are other connectivity options (Like Ethernet Tethering with an adapter connected to the phone that also PD charges). But USB Tethering (As the cabled option) does seem the cleanest to run… If it had a strong enough charge that is.
This is all just feedback anyway.
Thank you
I think you can use a $9 adapter for that. Plug the power brick into it to charge the phone.
It’s not possible. not easily. The only solution I have been given in the past is something like a Car-Play/Android Auto adapter… But they are all USB 2.0, so whilst a successful solution, not a fast (data-wise) one.
There’s this weird and complicated process with upstream and downstream power and with USB Tethering to a router the power from the router is almost always prioritised and trying to add anything else cuts the connection from the USB Tethering and moves it to what you are trying to add.
I have tried experimenting to mostly failure. I haven’t found a solution that keeps the speed and the fast charging whilst maintaining the USB Tethering.