TCL’s Linkport ($96) is a small, portable USB-C modem that connects a single device to T-Mobile’s 5G network. The Linkport is North America’s first 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) device, a technology developed to offer stable 5G connectivity at slower speeds and lower costs. While it’s easy to set up and use, it only works with a single device at a time and doesn’t match most hotspots or phones in terms of wireless data speeds. If you’re looking for the simplest way to get your laptop or tablet online via a USB-C dongle, the Linkport is easy to recommend. If you need to connect more than one device at a time or require faster speeds, the $198 Franklin Wireless JEXtream is our Editors’ Choice winner for its advanced security, dual-band Wi-Fi, enterprise email compatibility, and support for up to 20 connected devices at a time.
RedCap 5G: What Is It?
RedCap is a new 5G standard designed for devices that don’t need the high performance of full-speed 5G but require the lower latency only available from 5G connections.
One key aspect of RedCap 5G is capped speeds. The maximum download speed is limited to 220Mbps, and the maximum upload speed is limited to 120Mbps. Regular devices with C-band 5G support, like today’s top phones, can see theoretical maximum download speeds of 1Gbps, while devices with mmWave 5G support can see maximum theoretical download speeds in excess of 2Gbps. RedCap 5G limits speeds on purpose to keep bandwidth open for devices that need the speed.
The Linkport takes a RedCap modem and turns it into a simple USB-C dongle that plugs into any Android, Linux, macOS, or Windows device. This allows for plug-and-play compatibility that doesn’t require any complex setup.
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Design: Small and Light
The TCL Linkport is an unassuming, small black plastic dongle measuring 3.21 by 1.38 by 0.45 inches (LWD) and weighing 1.01 ounces. Its tiny size makes it easy to carry in a pocket or a bag. A criss-cross pattern on the body and concentric circles on the end caps give it a textured look. Three indicator lights—Settings, Signal, and SMS Messages—provide basic status updates. A removable back panel hides a nano SIM card slot and a reset button. With no internal battery, the unit relies on your tablet or laptop for power through the USB-C connection.
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The Linkport does not support Wi-Fi connectivity like the Franklin Wireless JEXTream mobile hotspot. This means it functions strictly as a modem, tethered to a single device. You can use it to supply an internet connection to a router that’s capable of sharing its internet connection via Wi-Fi, allowing multiple devices to access the network, though this isn’t its intended function.
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The box includes the Linkport, a short USB-C-to-USB-C cable, and a card with an admin URL and a randomized 14-character password. The admin URL and password are also printed on a sticker next to the SIM card slot inside the Linkport’s body. The modem is rated IP5X, so it can partially withstand dust and sand but not water.
Setup: Free of Hassles
Setting up the Linkport is remarkably easy. Insert a nano SIM, plug the device into your laptop’s USB-C port, and wait for the indicator lights to turn green. Upon first use, the Linkport needs a few minutes to talk to the network and configure itself. After that, you won’t find yourself waiting more than a minute to connect.
(Credit: T-Mobile/PCMag)
A web interface lets you change settings, view connection status, and manage SMS messages. The Linkport has its own phone number for receiving messages, which you can view and reply to through a browser.
(Credit: T-Mobile/PCMag)
The interface is neat and organized, with tabs for Home, Status, Services, Settings, and System. Users can configure VPNs, port forwarding, and other advanced security tools. Considering the ease of setup, you may never even need to open the web interface.
Connectivity: Not the Fastest, But Reliable
The Linkport supports T-Mobile’s 5G bands n25, n66, and n71, as well as LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 66, and 71. This means it covers T-Mobile’s sub-6GHz mid-band 5G service but not its C-band or mmWave service. The device runs the OpenWrt operating system and works with Android, iPadOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows devices without the need to install drivers or configure settings. The Linkport’s rated peak download and upload speeds are 220Mbps and 120Mbps, respectively, but we didn’t see speeds that fast in testing.
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
When used in New York City, the Linkport delivered varied results depending on the connected device and local environment. On a MacBook Pro indoors, download speeds ranged from 14.79Mbps to 18.49Mbps, and upload speeds ranged from 27.13Mbps to 35.61Mbps. Outdoors, speeds improved only slightly, with highs of 45.37Mbps down and 49.98Mbps up.
When plugged into a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, the Linkport connected seamlessly within a minute and achieved similar speeds of 22.1Mbps down and 24.4Mbps up. These results highlight the modem’s ability to provide consistent, though not record-setting, performance across devices and locations.
For the sake of comparison, I ran a speed test on the Z Fold 6 on T-Mobile’s network when not attached to the Linkport. The Samsung phone’s internal modem, which supports C-band and mmWave, reached 391Mbps down and 21.6Mbps up.
Data Plans: Flexible Enough
(Credit: T-Mobile/PCMag)
The TCL Linkport is available exclusively through T-Mobile and requires a data plan to function. T-Mobile offers a variety of options with plans ranging from 2GB to 100GB per month. Prepaid plans include taxes and fees, and options start at $15 per month for 2GB and go up to $45 per month for as much as 30GB. For postpaid plans that exclude taxes, pricing starts lower, at $10 per month for 2GB and scaling up to $55 per month for 100GB. Plans for regular hotspots are the same.
Verdict: Simple 5G for One Device at a Time
The TCL Linkport is a practical device if you need simple, portable 5G connectivity for a device like a laptop or tablet. Its small size, affordability, and ease of use are appealing, but its limited overall speeds may deter those looking for top performance. As the first RedCap 5G device in North America, the Linkport demonstrates the potential of this new approach, even if it comes with trade-offs. However, if you need to provide fast 5G to multiple devices at a time, a mobile hotspot like the Franklin Wireless JEXTream is hard to beat, so it remains our Editors’ Choice.
The Bottom Line
The TCL Linkport is a portable USB-C modem that easily and reliably connects a single device to T-Mobile’s 5G network.
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About Iyaz Akhtar
Mobile Analyst
