📰 Summer 2026: The Latest and Greatest in 5G Modems and Routers
Share
I haven’t written in awhile and I know everyone loves modem news. This is going to be a long read, sorry.
As we roll through August 2026, there have been some pretty interesting changes in the 5G modem and router market. Between surprisingly affordable outdoor setups, faster 5G hardware, and tightening chip supplies, there’s a lot going on.
Openwrt25
For the passed 2 weeks I’ve been working on the web ui that just works. I’m almost there. as always I need feedback. Please take a look at what the update entails (it’s not much) and let me know what you think. As always I am in the live chat.
Outdoor 5G Has Gotten Surprisingly Affordable
For outdoor setups, the Titan 5100 / SDX62 at around $250 all-in, includes a flat Ethernet cable run… it’s kind of shocking. Not long ago, putting together a solid outdoor 5G setup at that price point would have been difficult. The SDX62 is still a very capable modem, and for someone who wants a dedicated outdoor installation without spending a fortune, it offers a ton of value. Qualcomm WiFi on board 🤩
SDX65 vs. SDX75: The 5G Speed Battle: still no X80s
For customers chasing the fastest possible 5G performance, it has really become a battle between the Qualcomm SDX65 and SDX75. If you’re on 5G UC, 5G UW or 5G+ and you’re in an area where you can actually take advantage of the maximum bandwidth and additional 5G carrier aggregation capabilities, the SDX75 is a game changer. But that doesn’t automatically make it the right choice for everyone. If your location only gives you three usable 5G bands or your local towers can’t take advantage of everything the SDX75 offers, the SDX65 can still make a lot of sense. The money saved can instead go toward something that may make a much bigger real-world difference: a quality outdoor 4x4 MIMO antenna setup. The newest modem isn’t always the fastest modem at your particular location. Signal quality, available bands, carrier aggregation and tower capacity still matter tremendously.
Hardware Supply Is Getting Tighter
One thing I’ve grown accustomed to in this business is keeping inventory of hardware that I believe will eventually become scarce. That’s becoming increasingly important. MediaTek and Qualcomm chips aren’t only getting more expensive they’re also becoming tougher to get. MediaTek Wi-Fi chipsets and Qualcomm 5G modems have made up a significant part of my business, so I’ve been watching availability closely and stocking accordingly. I’d rather have the hardware sitting on my shelf than tell a customer three months from now that I can’t get it.
Same-Day Shipping Is Still the Goal
Despite the changes in pricing and availability, I’m sticking to something that has always been important to me: having the hardware physically in stock and ready to ship.
Currently, I offer:
Same-day shipping on 99% of routers
Same-day shipping on 100% of modems
No waiting weeks for hardware to arrive from overseas. If it’s listed as available, chances are it’s already here and ready to go.
Sticking to What Works
The 5G market keeps changing. New modem generations arrive, networks add more spectrum and carrier aggregation, and hardware that was readily available six months ago can suddenly become difficult to source. My approach hasn’t changed much: stock the good hardware, offer options at different price points, and match the equipment to what the customer’s network can actually deliver. Sometimes that’s an SDX75 pushing the limits of the network. Sometimes it’s an SDX65 paired with a great 4x4 outdoor antenna. And sometimes a $250 Titan 5100 / SDX62 outdoor setup is all you really need.