There has been so much fuss about WiFi 7 vs WiFi 6 in the past two years. But what do they mean? What are the differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7? More importantly, are these differences worthy enough to justify an upgrade?
In this article, I will tell you how different WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 are from an end user’s perspective.
Differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7
The main difference between WiFi 7 and WiFi 6 lies in speed, capacity, and efficiency. WiFi 7 offers theoretical speeds of up to 46 Gbps compared to WiFi 6’s 9.6 Gbps. It also introduces Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for improved reliability and reduces latency by operating across multiple bands simultaneously, whereas WiFi 6 relies on single-band operation per connection.
WiFi 6 vs WiFi 7: the Basics
WiFi 6
WiFi 6 is currently the most popular standard for WiFi. It was introduced in 2019 and has been widely adopted by network/end-point devices. It is backward-compatible with WiFi 5 and 4.
Theoretically, WiFi 6 connections can provide maximum speeds close to 10 Gbps. While the official technical name of this standard is IEEE 802.11ax, the new naming system calls it WiFi 6. It also means that WiFi 6 is the 6th version of WiFi.
WiFi 7
WiFi 7, on the other hand, is the newest WiFi standard that was announced in January 2024. This standard is still in the early adoption stages, and you can find only a few devices that use WiFi 6.
The theoretical maximum speed on the WiFi 7 standard is a whopping 46Gbps. In addition to that, WiFi 7 brings a couple of features like enhanced security and multiband operation. The standard’s technical name is IEEE 802.11be.
I think we should also talk about WiFi 6E.
WiFi 6E was launched in 2021 but is not a separate WiFi standard. Instead, it is a variation of the 802.11ax standard. This version offers improved latency and adds a third band to the scene: 6GHz. Like the 5GHz band, the 6GHz band is designed to provide blazing-fast speeds and latency within a limited coverage area.
This three-band system has been adopted by WiFi 7 as well, but more about that later.
Significant Differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7
Before I explain the core differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7, here is a quick (but technical) comparison table.
Feature | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
|---|---|---|
Release Year | 2019 | 2024 |
Max Speed | Up to 9.6 Gbps | Up to 46 Gbps |
Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
Channel Width | Up to 160 MHz | Up to 320 MHz |
Modulation | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM |
OFDMA | Yes | Improved OFDMA |
MU-MIMO | Up to 8×8 DL/UL | Up to 16×16 DL/UL |
Latency | Low | Further reduced |
TWT | Yes | Yes, improved |
Compatibility | Backward compatible | Backward compatible |
Efficiency | Higher than WiFi 5 | Significantly higher |
Beamforming | Advanced | Enhanced |
Use Cases | High-density, IoT, gaming | AR, VR, 8K streaming |
Now, I will consider different aspects such as speed, frequency bands, performance, compatibility, ideal use, etc.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7: Speed
Compared to WiFi 6, WiFi 7 brings a huge difference in speed. With a maximum speed of 46Gbps, WiFi 7 has four times the speed of WiFi 6. Therefore, you can notice a huge difference in network speeds. The speeds are moving closer to that of earlier Ethernet connections.
However, your internet speed will not differ without a multi-gig internet connection. Even then, I don’t think 10+ gigabit connections are available anywhere unless you are building a data center or something more enterprise-level.
So, considering that WiFi 6 still has close to 10 Gbps of speed, you might not know the difference in browsing or download speeds. However, you can consider setting up a proximity wireless network to share data between devices.
WiFi 6 vs. WiFi 7: Frequency Bands
One of the significant differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 is the number of frequency bands. WiFi 6 has only two bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. On the other hand, WiFi 7 comes with three bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. These different bands can determine where and how effective WiFi routers are.
Let’s see what these three bands are designed for.
Source: Wi-Fi Alliance
2.4GHz: This is the basic WiFi band that most devices use. This is a universal band because it is compatible with most devices. Even the WiFi 7 smartphones can efficiently work with the 2.5 GHz network. This band is known for its high penetration rate and range.
5GHz: This is a high-speed band that has a shorter range. However, because it’s a potent frequency, you can use it to get fantastic network speeds. If you want to reach the maximum speed of the WiFi standard, you should have the devices connected to the 5GHz band.
6GHz: The 6GHz band is designed for even better speed and performance and is optimized for gaming. You must connect to this band if you need the maximum speed for streaming or online gaming. This is exclusive to WiFi 7.
So, you can decide whether your purpose requires the third band, 6GHz. You should get a WiFi 7 or WiFi 6E router if you need that.
WiFi 6 vs WiFi 7: Performance
WiFi 7 offers a vast improvement in terms of performance, and that is not just about the speed. As I said, the 6GHz band can have extremely high throughput. It means you can use it for very intensive tasks.
However, the most important feature is called multi-link operation (MLO). WiFi 7 uses the MLO mode to connect to a device at two different frequency bands simultaneously. This way, there is more space for the data to flow. So, when it comes to data transfer and network reliability, you will notice a huge difference.
The bandwidth channels of WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 are equally different. WiFi 6 has channels from 20MHz to 160MHz. On the other hand, WiFi 7 has a width of 20MHz to 320MHz. This increase can also boost the reliability of the WiFi connection.
We should also consider the improvements in MU-MIMO / DL MU-MIMO / UL & DL MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and the increased QAM. QAM is a measure of data density, which can enhance the overall WiFi experience with WiFi 7.
On the other hand, WiFi 6 is limited to the standard numbers and the bandwidth selection. So, if you need additional speed and reliability, you may choose WiFi 7 over WiFi 6.
Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6: Range/Coverage
Both WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 offer similar coverage across bands.
You might think there is a difference because WiFi 7 comes with three bands instead of 2. However, the band is added for extra reliability and low latency, not better range. So, in this case, there will be one 2.4 GHz band, one 5 GHz band, and a 6GHz band.
The 5GHz and 6GHz bands have become more powerful thanks to features like high data density.
WiFi 7 vs. WiFi 6: Compatibility
let’s say that you are planning to get a WiFi 7 router. The biggest concern you should have is compatibility. There are two aspects to this: one is device compatibility, and the other is the availability of devices.
As far as device compatibility is concerned, WiFi 7 is backward compatible. So, even if you have a WiFi 6 or WiFi 5 device, it will work without any problem. But of course, you can’t get those maximum speeds or the additional bands unless you have a WiFi 7-enabled smartphone or laptop.
The other problem is the availability of the devices. WiFi 7 was launched a few months back and manufacturers have only started taking it up. So, it will be a year or two until you see widespread adoption of WiFi 7.
Therefore, you should be ready for an infrastructure overhaul if you need all the benefits of WiFi 7. On the other hand, WiFi 6 devices have become common and inexpensive. You can even go for WiFi 6E devices at lower costs.
WiFi 6 vs WiFi 7: Budget/Costs
You probably know the answer to this aspect already.
Since it’s a new standard and requires high-end hardware, WiFi 7 routers and devices will be costly.
That happens to be the case for end-point devices as well. Only a few flagship-level smartphones have shipped WiFi 7 within them.
So, you need some time for mid-level smartphone manufacturers to catch up. That puts us in a challenging position.
In addition to the required infrastructure overhaul, you must spend more money to get these devices. For reference, a base-level WiFi 7 router from NETGEAR retails for $699.
As for the smartphones, here’s a list of WiFi 7-enabled smartphones:
- Asus ROG Phone 7
- Asus Zenfone 10
- Google Pixel 8
- Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
- Motorola Edge+
- Nubia Z50S Pro
- OnePlus 12R
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- OnePlus Ace 3
- OnePlus Open
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
- OnePlus 12
This list will only get bigger, but they are super-expensive. You should note that even the latest iOS devices don’t have WiFi 7. It is rumored that only the Pro variants of the iPhone 16 will get it.
Is WiFi 7 Worth the Upgrade?
It depends on what you expect from the upgrade.
WiFi 7 cannot offer you extended coverage by any means. So, if you want to upgrade the WiFi coverage across your home, you might want to consider something like a Mesh WiFi system. Mesh WiFi systems are available on different standards, including WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, and WiFi 7.
However, if you already have a lot of devices and want to benefit from low latency and a lot of data transfer, the WiFi 7 upgrade could be worth it for you.
But I would like to highlight that you need to spend a considerably high amount of money, at least for a few years. Since WiFi 7 is available on select devices, you might have to go for flagship devices.
For instance, if you pick a laptop, you should get the most modern one with WiFi 7 support. Otherwise, even if you have a WiFi 7 router and a gigabit connection, you cannot benefit from it.
In a way, the WiFi 7 upgrade is a future-proofing. You will have a ready-to-go network as more devices offer WiFi 7 support. Looking at things this way, the upgrade is appealing. Since WiFi 7 is backward compatible, you can use it as a WiFi 6 dual-band modem until you have enough devices to leverage WiFi 7 performance.
The short answer?
If you must choose a router for your workstation or a large house, you can get a WiFi 7 router. But, if your budget does not allow it, you will be perfectly fine with a WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E router for a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, WiFi 6 cannot penetrate walls better than its previous versions. This WiFi standard lacks a band optimized for coverage, except for the 2.4GHz one.
WiFi 7 is four times better than WiFi 6 in terms of maximum speed. It also offers improved performance while handling low-latency tasks.
Yes, to use WiFi 7, you should have a specific WiFi 7 router and end-point devices. You may have to upgrade to flagship-level devices to achieve this.
Most smartphones launched in the last year support WiFi 6. For reference, the iPhone was the first iPhone to have WiFi 6. These days, most mid-range and budget-range devices are also equipped with WiFi 6.
Conclusion
I believe this guide was comprehensive enough to clear all your doubts regarding WiFi 7 and WiFi 6. Of course, the decision to upgrade comes down to your requirements and other features you need. But if your budget allows for it, I recommend a WiFi 7 router if you are in the market.
