WIFI 6, WIFI 7: WHAT'S BEHIND THE NEW STANDARDS?
WLAN is now a central part of our digital lives – whether at home, in the office, or on the go. The demands on wireless networks are constantly increasing.
More and more devices want to connect to the network at the same time, streaming and gaming require high speeds and low latency, and smart households rely on a reliable connection. With WiFi 6 and WiFi 7, two modern standards are entering the scene that address precisely these challenges. But what differentiates WiFi 6 and WiFi 7? And is it worth upgrading? In this article, you will learn everything important about WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 – explained in a clear and technically accurate way.
What is WiFi?
Before we dive deeper, a brief explanation: “WiFi” stands for Wireless Fidelity and refers to various generations of the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless networks (in German, we usually call it WLAN). Each generation brings technical improvements. The names such as WiFi 4, WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and most recently WiFi 7 make it easier for end users to distinguish between the generations. Technically, they are referred to as IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be.
Overview: From WiFi 5 to WiFi 7
Before we focus on WiFi 6 and WiFi 7, it’s worth taking a quick look at their evolution:
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac) was introduced in 2013 and brought MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) for the first time, which enabled parallel transmission to multiple devices.
- WiFi 6 (802.11ax) was introduced from 2019 and enabled higher speeds as well as better utilization with many devices connected simultaneously.
- WiFi 7 (802.11be) is the upcoming new standard, expected to achieve widespread market availability during 2025.
WiFi 6 in Detail: The Big Step Towards High-Density WLAN
What Does WiFi 6 Offer?
WiFi 6 was developed to meet the challenges of modern networks: many devices, high data rates, dense environments. The most important innovations:
- Higher speed: Up to 9.6 Gbit/s (theoretical), more than enough even for data-hungry applications.
- OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access): Allows multiple devices to send and receive data simultaneously on the same WiFi channel – a real revolution, especially for households with many connected devices.
- 1024-QAM modulation: Provides more data per unit of time (better spectrum efficiency).
- MU-MIMO: WiFi 6 now supports MU-MIMO not only for downloads (as with WiFi 5), but also for uploads. Multiple devices can send and receive at the same time.
- Target Wake Time: Devices can be “woken up” when they need to send or receive data – saving energy, especially for smart home devices.
- Improved performance in densely populated environments: Ideal for open-plan offices, stadiums, apartments with many neighbors, or smart households.
Which Frequency Bands Does WiFi 6 Use?
WiFi 6 operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This means that older devices can still be used, and the WiFi becomes more flexible.
WiFi 7 in Detail: The Future of Wireless Internet
WiFi 7 is the next evolutionary stage and is intended to meet the requirements of high-end applications, augmented reality, 8K streaming, and real-time communication. The most important technical improvements:
- Even higher speed: Up to 46 Gbit/s in the ideal case. In practice, this is often 2 to 4 times faster than WiFi 6, depending on the setup.
- Wider channel bandwidth: With up to 320 MHz, more data can be transmitted at once.
- 4096-QAM modulation: Even denser information transfer on the same frequency.
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO): WiFi 7 can use multiple frequency bands simultaneously. This means more stability, lower latency, fewer dropouts – ideal for gaming and video calls.
- Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC): Interference can be intelligently avoided in the new 6 GHz band.
- More frequency bands: WiFi 7 operates on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. The new 6 GHz band (WiFi 6E/7) is less congested and offers better performance.
Technical Comparison: WiFi 6 vs. WiFi 7
Here is a clear comparison of the most important specifications:
| Feature | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) |
|---|---|---|
| Year of Introduction | 2019 | 2024 |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 & 5 GHz | 2.4, 5 & 6 GHz |
| Maximum Channel Bandwidth | 160 MHz | 320 MHz |
| Modulation | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM |
| Maximum Data Rate | up to 9.6 Gbit/s | up to 46 Gbit/s |
| MU-MIMO | Uplink & Downlink | Extended |
| OFDMA | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | No | Yes |
| Automated Frequency Coordination | No | Yes |
Why Are WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 Interesting for You?
For most households, WiFi 6 is often sufficient, especially when many devices are in the network. But looking to the future – for 8K streaming, AR/VR applications, or home offices with high demands – WiFi 7 offers clear advantages:
- Higher bandwidths and lower latency: Better user experience, even with multiple parallel streams or demanding applications.
- More capacity for many devices: Smart households benefit from increased efficiency.
- More stable connections: Especially relevant for gaming, video conferences, and data-intensive applications.
WiFi 6 and WiFi 7: Backward Compatibility and Hardware Questions
One of the most important topics for consumers: Do I have to replace all my hardware? And will my old devices still work?
Backward Compatibility
Both WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 are backward compatible with older WiFi standards. This means: Older devices (with WiFi 4, 5, etc.) will continue to work in the new network – just not with the full speed and features.
New Hardware for WiFi 7?
To really take advantage of WiFi 7, you need compatible hardware:
- A WiFi 7 router: This is the heart of the new network.
- Devices with WiFi 7: Only when your notebook, smartphone, or tablet also supports WiFi 7 will you benefit from the full speed and new features. These devices will become increasingly available from 2024/2025 onwards.
- Network infrastructure: In some cases, it may also make sense to check cables and switches if you are modernizing your entire network.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about WiFi 6 and WiFi 7
Is WiFi 7 better than WiFi 6?
Yes, WiFi 7 is technically superior. It offers higher speeds, lower latency, more efficient use of frequency bands, and supports innovative features such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and the 6 GHz band. However, in many cases WiFi 6 is already sufficient for everyday use, especially in households without special bandwidth requirements.
Are WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 backward compatible?
Yes, both standards are fully backward compatible. You can continue to use older WiFi devices, even if you purchase a new WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router. However, you will only get the full performance with compatible end devices.
Do I need new hardware for WiFi 7?
Yes. To take advantage of WiFi 7, you need both a WiFi 7 router and end devices that support WiFi 7. Otherwise, you will only partially benefit from the new features – but your old devices will remain functional.
When is it worth switching to WiFi 7?
If you regularly need very high speeds, have many devices in use, or use particularly latency-sensitive applications (such as gaming, VR, or 8K streaming), switching may be worthwhile. For many households, WiFi 6 is still sufficient.
What about WiFi 6E?
WiFi 6E is an intermediate step that extends WiFi 6 to include the 6 GHz band – many features of WiFi 7 will only be fully implemented with this standard.
Conclusion: WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 – Future-Proof WLAN Technologies for Modern Households and Businesses
With WiFi 6 and especially WiFi 7, a new WiFi generation is coming that addresses many of the challenges of today's and tomorrow's digital life. While WiFi 6 is already built into many routers and devices today and has proven itself as a powerful standard for smart households and offices, WiFi 7 brings even more speed, flexibility, and future-proofing.
If you are considering an upgrade, WiFi 6 is currently recommended as a reliable and widely adopted solution. If you want the very latest technology and value maximum bandwidth and lowest latency, you should look into WiFi 7 – provided the appropriate devices are available.
No matter which standard you choose: With both, you are up to date and well prepared for the future of wireless Internet.
Tip: When buying new devices, already look for support for WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 – or simply rely on the most reliable and fastest form of data transmission: the Ethernet cable.