Your friend likely has the or MF65+ – both are 4G-capable models that look identical. Always check the sticker under the battery: “Model: MF65” = 3G only. “MF65M” or “MF65+” = 4G.
You are not alone. The ZTE MF65 is one of the most popular entry-level portable Wi-Fi routers ever released. However, a massive misconception circulates online: that you can perform a simple software “upgrade” to turn your old MF65 into a 4G device for free. zte mf65 upgrade to 4g free
Many YouTube videos and forum posts claim that flashing a specific firmware version will "unlock 4G speeds." Your friend likely has the or MF65+ –
| Model | 4G LTE Support | Free Upgrade Possible? | |-------|----------------|------------------------| | ZTE MF65 (original) | No (3G only) | No | | ZTE MF65M | Yes (Cat4 LTE) | No (already 4G) | | ZTE MF65+ (Plus) | Yes (Band 28/700MHz) | No (already 4G) | | ZTE MF65D | Yes (Dual-band LTE) | No (already 4G) | You are not alone
Original MF65: 21.6 Mbps down, 5.76 Mbps up (theoretical). Real-world: 5-10 Mbps down.
After upgrading the firmware, you will need to configure the ZTE MF65 for 4G:
99% of those videos are clickbait. They show editing config files or flashing fake firmware that changes only the status icon. Your download speed will never exceed 21Mbps on an original MF65.