Once again, I remind you that if you have purchased from the JD self-operated store and have not yet received the product, hurry to apply for a return and refund. You need to take a photo of the SN code and K code on the bottom of the device. If these are lost, you will not be able to apply. For details, see this important reminder: Phicomm can be returned and refunded at JD self-operated store. Before returning my two Phicomm K2Ts, I flashed one with OpenWrt firmware for comparison. If you want to see the disassembly of K2T, you can steadily go here: K2T Disassembly, complete violent disassembly.
The firmware I flashed is this: openwrt-ar71xx-R7.7.4-generic-k2t-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin. You can check the detailed flashing tutorial here on Enshan Forum: http://www.right.com.cn/forum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=325546&extra=&highlight=K2T&page=1. Although the process is lengthy, if you follow the steps one by one, you will succeed. The interface after flashing the firmware is as follows:
In the wireless settings, you can adjust the wireless transmission power. I did not set it; the default is automatic, but the power has reached the maximum. The 5G power is 30dBm, and the 2.4G power is 29dBm.
1. Comparison Test of Wireless Signal Strength
The K2T with OpenWrt firmware has the wireless names changed to OpenWrt-2.4G and OpenWrt-5G, while the original official firmware’s wireless names are K2T-2.4G and K2T-5G. The tested wireless network card is PCE-AC88. The floor plan is as follows:
Both routers are placed in the WIFI positions shown in the above diagram, and the computer records the WIFI signal strength at four positions A, B, C, and D. The recording time is 3 minutes. Since the signal changes every second, a fixed value cannot be used for comparison. Therefore, all signal strength comparisons on this site are continuous recorded data, which form a curve, making the comparison more intuitive and accurate.
The test results are as follows: (The green area on the left side indicates strong signal, while the red area indicates weak signal)
At point A, separated by a wall, the 2.4G signal of OpenWrt is slightly stronger than the original firmware. However, in terms of 5G, the original firmware fluctuates wildly, with the two routers placed relatively close to each other, interfering with each other. Looking at the peak values, sometimes the 5G signal of the original firmware is stronger than that of OpenWrt.
At point B, OpenWrt’s 2.4G is stronger, while 5G shows little difference.
At point C, separated by three walls, the original firmware slightly outperforms in 2.4G, and the same goes for 5G.
Finally, at point D downstairs, the 5G signal strength is comparable for both, while the 2.4G is clearly stronger on OpenWrt.
Next, I will test the wireless transmission speed, including mobile internet speed tests and local network transmission speeds.
2. Comparison Test of Mobile Internet Speed at Different Distances
The tested phone is Xiaomi 4C, and the speed test software is Speedtest. When testing one router, the other one is powered off to avoid mutual interference with WIFI speed. Speed tests are conducted at A, B, C, and D, with each position testing six times for each signal connection, and the average value is taken for comparison. The broadband is 100M. The speed test results are as follows:
The average values are summarized in the following line chart.
2.4G average value comparison chart:
5G average value comparison chart:
It is clear that the K2T with OpenWrt firmware has significantly lower wireless internet speed than the original firmware.
3. Comparison of Internal Network Wireless Transmission Speed at Different Distances
Testing the wireless transmission limits at different distances within the internal network. When testing the OpenWrt firmware in the same room, the speeds are as follows:
The 2.4G speed is fine, but the issue is with 5G, which only reaches 50MB/s. For a connection speed of 867m, this speed is too slow. I tried changing different channels, different times, and even adjusted the wireless power to 20dBm, but the result remained the same. I compared the speed test results of the four positions with those of the original firmware.
The 2.4G situation is as follows:
The 5G situation is as follows:
Conclusion:
Flashing OpenWrt on the 5G is really disappointing.
Currently, the K2T is rarely able to be safely returned, but almost all that can be returned at JD have been returned. I also returned my two units to JD. The stock in the market should not be much. After returning the K2T, I want to buy another one as a replacement. You can consider the Tenda AC10.
Tenda AC10 Unboxing Review