Looking to know the difference between MiFi and WiFi? No problem. I understand the difference is just “M” and “W”, however, Believe it or not, these terms have different meanings. So if you want to know the difference between MiFi and WiFi, you have come to the right place.
What is WiFi?
To put it simply, WiFi is a wireless networking standard that devices use to communicate with each other without cables connecting them . A perfect example is your Mac or iPhone. Mac features a WiFi chip inside that allows users to connect it to a Wireless hotspot The same is true for your iPhone. Keep in mind, WiFi is not an app. This means, it cannot be downloaded the way you download apps such as Facebook. Devices such as iPhones, iPads, iPods or Mac are equipped with WiFi feature therefore, they are capable of interacting with other WiFi-compatible devices wirelessly.
What is a MiFi?
A MiFi refers to a portable, battery-powered internet device that allows multiple end users and mobile devices to share a 3G, 4G or 5G mobile broadband internet connection by creating a mobile hotspot. Simply put, a MiFi is a portable modem or a router that is capable of providing internet access through a process called tethering. In other words, a MiFi is a portable, battery-powered 3G, 4G or 5G router.
Difference between MiFi and WiFi.
The major difference between WiFi and MiFi is that MiFi is a portable battery-powered internet device that features WiFi capabilities, whereas, WiFi is essentially a wireless networking standard. A MiFi device is usually linked to a mobile network and is capable of supplying internet connectivity to about ten devices at the same time.
Note, the only difference between 3G, 4G, 5G and WiFi is just routers. However, MiFi can support both WiFi standard as well as mobile data technologies including 3G, 4G, 5G or LTE. This means, a MiFi device Is capable of picking up cellular data from data providers such as telecom.
A MiFi device has two components: the modem and the WiFi router. The modem component supports 3G, 4G or LTE and provides internet connection to WiFi enabled devices such as iPhone, iPad, Mac or Windows PC. On the other hand, the work of WiFi router component is to deliver WiFi connectivity.
See also: iPhone personal hotspot not working? Tips to fix
Signing off
If you want to invest in a strong portable internet connectivity and save your phone’s battery, as well as mobile data, a Mi-Fi router is the best option.
That’s pretty much it on how to tell a the difference between WiFi and MiFi. If you have been wondering whether to buy a Mifi or a Wifi router, there you have it.