The Huawei H138 380 5G CPE Pro 3 is a mid-to-high-end 5G home/office router featuring the Balong 5000 chipset.

It supports both NSA and SA 5G network modes with theoretical download speeds up to 3.6 Gbps and upload speeds up to 250 Mbps.

It offers dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) with speeds up to 1800 Mbps combined—1201 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands.

This router supports up to 128 simultaneous wireless connections.

The following content is a detailed introduction to some of its product parameters and features.

Huawei h138 380 Key Specifications

  • Network Standards: 5G NSA/SA, LTE Cat19/18, 3GPP Release 15

  • Supported 5G Bands: n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n71, n77, n78, n79

  • Supported 4G Bands: B1, B3, B5, B7, B8, B18, B19, B20, B26, B28, B32, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B43

  • 5G Speed: Download up to 3.6Gbps / Upload up to 250Mbps (theoretical max)

  • LTE Speed: Download up to 1.6Gbps, Upload up to 150Mbps

  • WiFi: Dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4GHz up to 574Mbps, 5GHz up to 1,200Mbps

  • Connected Devices: Supports up to 128 simultaneous connections

  • MIMO: 5G 4×4 (DL), 2×2 (UL); LTE 4×4 and 2×2 on some bands

  • Ports: 2 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (1 LAN/WAN, 1 LAN), 1 x RJ11 (for VoIP/SIP telephony)

  • Dimensions: 103 x 103 x 225mm

  • Weight: About 915g (excluding adapter)

  • Power Consumption: <24W

  • SIM Slot: Yes (nano-SIM)

  • Antennas: Built-in (no external antenna ports in stock model)

  • Certifications: CE, RoHS, REACH, WEEE, Wi-Fi, ErP.

Huawei h138 380 Key Features

  • WiFi 6 (AX1800): Enhanced speeds and coverage, lower latency.

  • Ethernet & VoIP Support: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet; RJ-11 for phone calls via VoIP/SIP.

  • User-Friendly Admin: Managed via web interface or Huawei AI Life app.

  • Guest Network & Security: WPA3 encryption, MAC filtering, Firewall.

  • VPN & DDNS: L2TP/PPTP VPN client, Dynamic DNS supported.

  • Unlocked: Works with any carrier, easy SIM swap for mobile broadband.

  • Device Modifications: 3rd-party services exist to add external antenna ports for LTE/5G reception.

Usage

  • Primary Use: Home or office 5G/4G broadband; suitable for areas with strong 5G signals or as a backup for fixed-line broadband.

  • Connectivity: Plug in your SIM, connect the device to power, and use the default WiFi or LAN port for internet. Works with major carriers worldwide.

  • VoIP Functionality: Can register SIP account for phone calls using the RJ-11 port.

Firmware and Software Updates

  • Update Method: Use the Huawei AI Life app or web portal; check for updates in the ‘Device/Updates’ section. Automatic or manual updates available.

  • Manuals and Documentation: Official product manuals are available online, including detailed setup, software specs, and troubleshooting guides.

Huawei h138 380 Price (as of August 2025)

  • Typical Range: $380–$400 USD, depending on the retailer and quantity ordered.

  • Availability: Generally available unlocked from specialist retailers online.

Huawei H138 380 Setup (Quick Guide)

  1. Insert SIM: Open the SIM card slot, insert a nano-SIM (as shown in manual diagrams).

  2. Connect Power: Plug in the power adapter.

  3. Connect Devices: Via WiFi (default SSID/password on label) or LAN cable.

  4. Access Admin Panel: Connect to router, open web browser to default IP (usually 192.168.8.1), or use the AI Life app.

  5. Follow Setup Wizard: The router will guide through APN/carrier set-up and WiFi configuration.

  6. Advanced Settings: Configure VoIP, VPN, guest WiFi, parental controls as required.

  7. Placement: For optimal 5G/4G signal, place near a window and away from obstructions.

Download/Manual Links

  • Comprehensive manuals, quick start guides, firmware downloads, and documentation are available on Huawei support and third-party tech sites.

Note: Always check with your carrier for band compatibility in your region. Stock models have no external antenna ports, but modification options are available if required for challenging signal situations.

How does the Huawei H138 380 compare to other 5G routers in terms of specs and usage?

The Huawei H138 380 5G CPE Pro 3 router compares to other 5G routers, particularly Huawei’s earlier models like the 5G CPE Pro 2 and original Pro, in several key aspects:

  • Wi-Fi Speed: The H138-380 supports Wi-Fi 6 but has about half the Wi-Fi 6 speed compared to the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2. The Pro 2 offers higher Wi-Fi transmission speeds, making it superior for wireless speed and efficiency.

  • 5G Speeds: The H138-380 provides download speeds up to about 1.8 Gbps with 5G connections, which is robust but less than some newer routers with theoretical maximums like 3.6 Gbps seen in the Pro 22.

  • Carrier Aggregation and MIMO: The H138-380 supports advanced 4×4 MIMO and carrier aggregation on multiple bands for both uplink and downlink, enhancing average speeds and performance on congested networks, a strong point compared to simpler 5G routers.

  • Ethernet Ports: Like the Pro 2, the H138-380 has 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports WAN/LAN switching functionality.

  • Usage: The H138-380 serves well as a home or office broadband router via 5G/4G, supporting up to 128 devices. It is suitable for areas with good 5G coverage or as a backup broadband solution. It lacks external antenna ports stock but can be modified for external antennas if needed, which matters in challenging signal environments.

  • Heat Management and Efficiency: Newer models like the Pro 2 include built-in cooling fans for better chipset efficiency and sustained performance under heavy load, a feature the Huawei H138 380 lacks2.

Overall, the Huawei H138 380 5G CPE Pro 3 is a solid mid-to-high-end 5G home router with good 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support, but it is outperformed in wireless speed, 5G peak throughput, and thermal management by the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2.

It is well-suited for typical home or office use but less ideal if the absolute fastest wireless speeds and device cooling are priorities.

Its comprehensive band support and carrier aggregation make it competitive in network stability and real-world speed reliability.

This comparison is mainly between Huawei’s own routers; the Huawei H138 380 performs well relative to many general 5G routers but lags behind the latest flagship models from Huawei and some other brands that push 5G and Wi-Fi 6 speeds higher.

If you prioritize Wi-Fi 6 maximum speed and highest 5G throughput, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 might be a better choice.

If you want a dependable, broadly compatible router with strong carrier aggregation and good real-world speeds, the Hawei H138 380 remains a good option.

Conclusion

The Huawei H138 380 provides strong 5G broadband performance with WiFi 6, good device capacity, and versatile features for home or office use, especially where solid 5G coverage is available.

Its lack of external antenna ports in stock form may affect performance in challenging signal environments without modification options.

It is suitable for users wanting reliable 5G internet with modern WiFi and VoIP capabilities in a single device.