Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7: What’s the difference?
Wi-Fi 6E Overview:
Wi-Fi technology has really come a long way since it first hit the scene. With each new version released, it has certainly been impressive to see the advancements made with regards to speed, coverage, and reliability. The latest release, Wi-Fi 6E (extended implementation of 802.11ax) , has certainly made waves as it supports the 6GHz spectrum which easily eliminates the congestion that Wi-Fi 6 devices experienced. However, it seems we may already have something new to look forward to, as people are now talking about Wi-Fi 7, which supposedly offers even better capabilities.
Wi-Fi 7 Overview:
Wi-Fi 7 is set to offer even better capabilities, supporting 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, providing even faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6E. Moreover, this technology comes with much more advanced features such as multiple channels in both uplink and down-link directions. As well as finer frequency control to ensure better quality of service. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Wi-Fi 7 is still in the development phase, and there’s no guarantee it will be embraced by device manufacturers and service providers. Nonetheless, the potential for enhanced wireless experience is undeniably exciting.
Wi-Fi 6E Technical Explanation:
Wi-Fi 6E is a newly introduced technology for Wi-Fi devices that operates on the 6 GHz frequency band. Unlike the existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, WiFi6E provides significantly wider channel bandwidths for faster data transmission rates. The 6 GHz frequency band offers up to seven 160 MHz channels, which is three times wider than the maximum channel width available in the 5 GHz band, resulting in better network performance and reduced congestion.
Wi-Fi 6E has been designed to coexist with existing WiFi networks, devices, and technologies. Which ensures backward compatibility with other Wi-Fi 6 devices while leveraging the newer 6 GHz frequency band.
Credit: wi-fi.org
To benefit from Wi-Fi 6E, users will need to upgrade their devices and routers to support the technology. As a result, it is expected to become more widespread in the coming years, as more compatible products become available. With its significant improvements in network capacity and performance, WiFi6E promises to provide a better user experience for home and enterprise networks alike.
Wi-Fi 7 Technical Explanation:
Wi-Fi 7 is the next-generation of wireless connectivity that promises blazing-fast speeds, reliable connectivity, and reduced latency. This new technology is set to revolutionize the way we use the internet by providing faster and more reliable connectivity to users worldwide.
Wi-Fi 7 operates on the 6GHz band, which means it’s not hindered by congestion from other devices as it uses less congested channels. With speeds of up to 46Gbps, this technology will be the next step in our evolution to better, faster internet for all. This advancement will allow users to download and stream content at lightning-fast rates, making online gaming and 4K streaming smoother than ever before.
- Wi-Fi 7 will also offer advanced features, such as multiple channels in both uplink and down-link directions, and finer frequency control for better quality of service.
- Other benefits of Wi-Fi 7 include reduced latency, improved endpoint efficiency and better power consumption. This means that users will not have to worry about constant buffering, lagging, or disconnections, which will ultimately result in a more seamless online experience.
Credit: msi.com
Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7: Specifications
| Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 | |
| Data bands | 2.4, 5 and 6GHz | 2.4, 5 and 6GHz |
| Bandwidth (Channels) | 20, 40 , 80, 80+80, 160MHz | 20, 40 , 80, 80+80, 160, 320MHz |
| Max speed | 9.6 Gbps | 46 Gbps |
| Highest Modulation Order | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM |
| Max Number of Spatial Streams | 8 | 16 |
Is it worth upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router?
While Wi-Fi 7 routers are not yet available for consumer purchase, it is worth considering an upgrade when they become available in the future.
If you have a high-speed internet connection and client devices that support Wi-Fi 7, upgrading to a compliant router could significantly improve your internet experience. It promises speeds of up to 46Gbps, compared to the maximum speed of 9.6Gbps on the current WiFi6/6E standards. This means faster downloads, smoother streaming, and shorter load times for online gaming. However, it is important to note that upgrading to a WiFi 7 router alone may not improve internet speeds if your internet service provider does not offer fast speeds. Additionally, if your devices do not support Wi-Fi 7, you may not be able to take full advantage of the router’s capabilities.
