What Products Can Actually Use Wi-Fi 7?

Our ability to connect with ever-better speeds is only increasing, as the newly released Wi-Fi 7 is here to show! Because Wi-Fi 7 is so new, most people aren’t aware that it even exists, what it’s useful for, or what products can use it right now. Today, we are going to be answering each of these questions and learning a bit more about this new way of doing Wi-Fi. Let’s get started!

What Is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 is the newest version of Wi-Fi technology and claims to bring significant improvements over its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6 (and 6 iterations like 6E). The new standard is officially known as IEEE 802.11be and will be four times faster (in potential throughput), more stable, and more efficient than the previous version.

One of the most notable improvements of Wi-Fi 7 concerns its wider channels. With the potential to support channels up to 320 MHz wide, Wi-Fi 7 can transmit more data, making it generally faster.

wifi 6e — *Wi-Fi 7 reaches faster speeds by packing more data into each transmission.*
©Sensvector/Shutterstock.com

Another significant upgrade is its ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously through Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which combines several frequencies across bands into a single connection with a single device, essentially allowing more data to be transmitted at the same time.

Wi-Fi 7 also boasts higher QAM, which means it can pack more information into radio-frequency waves, which translates into better overall performance. Additionally, it can handle more connections, which can help in high-device-density households or enterprises (no more yelling at the family for lagging, kids).

Although Wi-Fi 7 will be backward compatible, users will need to upgrade their devices, including routers, access points, smartphones, laptops, and TVs, to take advantage of its features and improved performance. The new standard is most significant for enterprises and larger venues, where densely packed devices or neighboring networks that overlap are a common problem.

Let’s get into what some of those current upgrade options are.

What Devices Can Use Wi-Fi 7?

Since Wi-Fi 7 is so new, the vast majority of devices aren’t able to use it. On top of that, most users don’t have any needs that require Wi-Fi 7 in their current usage. Still, like all things, the push for better tech continues to drive all.

There are a few platforms that currently support Wi-Fi 7, although almost no consumer devices currently support it. The most notable companies that have already released Wi-Fi 7 compatible devices are Qualcomm and TP-Link.

Qualcomm

Qualcomm products that support Wi-Fi 7 are mostly going to be home and enterprise mesh networks for connectivity, so things like routers, modems, and access points. We’ve included the associated product links with each of the items for detailed information. The current lineup includes:

Besides their platforms, it’s also important to note that Qualcomm is a chipset provider (they make CPU architectures and related things). For many mobile devices in the future, it’s highly likely that they will be using the newest chipset from Qualcomm, meaning there will likely be Wi-Fi 7 compatible devices within the year.

Device manufacturers that use Qualcomm chips include Nokia, Samsung, Google Pixel, Fossil, Logitech, Microsoft, OnePlus, OPPO, Sony, Xiaomi, Razer, LG, Lenovo, and a lot more. The first chip to ship from Qualcomm (with Wi-Fi 7) will be the FastConnect 7800, which is set to release within the year.

TP-Link

TP-Link had an entire launch event where they detailed all of the features of Wi-Fi 7, including some of their upcoming products. Right now, there are four Wi-Fi 7 routers (only one of which is currently available), and two Deco products (a home-mesh network system), of which one is available:

The other products will likely be released throughout the rest of the year.

Will Wi-Fi 7 Be Worth it?

For most people, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 won’t be worth it on its own. The average user won’t notice a significant difference in speed or performance since the current Wi-Fi 6 technology is already capable of meeting most users’ needs.

However, if you are in need of an upgrade or planning to invest in a new system, it’s a good idea to futureproof yourself and get a mesh system that is Wi-Fi 7 compatible. Wi-Fi 7’s potential benefits are most significant for enterprise systems or densely packed areas where many devices are competing for bandwidth.

So, if you are running a business or have a smart home with many connected devices, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 might be a worthwhile investment. But for the majority of users, sticking with their current Wi-Fi technology will be totally sufficient.