I too use an AR750S as my primary travel router, and I’m also looking for something to replace it that is smaller, faster, lighter. I don’t need a battery, cell modem, or anything else that draws power or adds size or weight. Just a simple router with dual band WiFi, 2 or 3 Ethernet ports, that can run generic OpenWrt, and most importantly: Just Works!
I feel that GL-iNet has abandoned this market segment. GL iNet was originally known for producing small, low power, affordable routers that could run generic OpenWrt firmware, but those days seem gone. I feel the USB150 was their last small product that was truly a new and innovative design. Even their product naming is no longer innovative, as their new products just re-use old product names: Slate Plus, Slate AX, Brume 2
With the exception of the Brume 2, which is not really a travel router, all new GL iNet routers are bigger, heavier, use more power, and cost more than their predecessors. I understand inflation and a bit about technology, but my new 13” notebook computer I purchased late last year was cheaper, smaller, and faster than the notebook computer that it replaced. My new cell-phone is a little smaller and cost about the same as its predecessor, but has more cores, more RAM, more bands, and more storage.
The Opal, Beryl, Slate Plus and Slate AX are faster then the AR750S, but are bigger, heavier and use more power, and not all these products can run generic OpenWrt. I hope GL iNet in the future refocuses on innovation in the small router market, or someone else moves in.