WiFi 7 is here to revolutionize the way we interact with the Internet, offering never-before-seen speeds, lower latency, and an amazing ability to connect multiple devices without losing connection quality. As in previous years, this new generation of WiFi is expected to be a significant change from its predecessors, such as WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E. But what exactly does WiFi 7 mean and what devices are compatible with it? When can we start enjoying it? Here we tell you everything you need to know.
WiFi 7 is the seventh generation of the wireless networking standard. Officially launched in January 2024 during the CES In Las Vegas, WiFi 7 represents a significant leap forward in speed, performance, and the ability to handle multiple devices at once. While WiFi 6 reached speeds of up to 9,6 Gbps, WiFi 7 expands that capacity to an impressive 46 Gbps. This is a notable difference that will have implications for a range of applications, from 8K video streaming to augmented and virtual reality.
What is WiFi 7 and how does it work?
WiFi 7 is an evolution of the previous standard, WiFi 6/6E, designed to handle the increasing data demands of high-definition streaming, cloud gaming, and virtual reality applications. What sets WiFi 7 apart from its predecessors is the use of multiple key technologies that optimize the performance of wireless connections.
One of the most notable innovations is the Multi-Link Operation (MLO). Unlike previous versions, where devices could only connect through a single channel on a single frequency band, WiFi 7 allows simultaneous connection on multiple bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. This capability is essential for reduce latency and maximize speed, something crucial in applications that require high performance.
Another significant improvement is in modulation. WiFi 7 uses 4096-QAM modulation technology, which increases the amount of data that can be transmitted in the same period, allowing for greater efficiency and performance. In addition, this new standard doubles the bandwidth of the channels, reaching 320 MHz compared to the 160 MHz available in WiFi 6. This translates into the ability to manage multiple connections at the same time without affecting performance.
Benefits of WiFi 7
WiFi 7 brings a number of important benefits, not only for those who require higher speeds, but also for users looking for a more stable and efficient connection on a day-to-day basis. Some of the main benefits include:
- Ultra-fast speeds: With up to 46 Gbps, WiFi 7 is almost five times faster than WiFi 6.
- Low latency: Latency is key for applications like cloud gaming or augmented reality, where delays can ruin the user experience. WiFi 7 optimizes latency thanks to technologies like MLO.
- Multi-device capabilityIn modern homes, where multiple devices are connected at the same time, WiFi 7 ensures that we do not suffer from performance drops.
- Backward compatibility: Although not all current devices are compatible with WiFi 7, this standard is backwards compatible, which means that we can continue to use devices with WiFi 6 or WiFi 5 without problems.
- 4096-QAM modulation: Increases transmission speed by 20% by being able to transport more data per symbol.
Which devices are compatible with WiFi 7?
One of the most important points of WiFi 7 is that, to take full advantage of all the advantages it offers, We will need compatible devicesWhile many devices are expected to adopt this technology in the coming years, some of the first compatible devices are already reaching the market.
Among the first products to incorporate WiFi 7 we find routers, such as the TP-Link Archer BE800 or ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98, which are now available for those users looking for the latest in networking technology.
As for mobile phones, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra It emerged as one of the first compatible devices, thanks to the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 chip. Also, devices such as the Razer blade 16, a laptop that uses the network card Intel BE200, are also compatible with WiFi 7.
As time goes on, more smartphones, computers, smart TVs and routers will be released with support for WiFi 7. However, it is not necessary to change all your current devices, as WiFi 7 is backward compatible, which means that you will be able to continue using devices with older versions of WiFi, although they will not take advantage of all the features of this new standard.
The impact of WiFi 7 on our daily lives
WiFi 7 is presented as a technology that will not only improve our daily Internet browsing experiences, but will also allow New opportunities and applications which until now had not been possible due to technical limitations.
For example, thanks to the low latency and the high data transmission capacity, video games Cloud-based applications that rely on fast, fluid connections will perform better than ever. Likewise, cloud computing experiences augmented and virtual reality They will be much more immersive and seamless, bringing us closer to a future where these technologies will be an integral part of daily life.
We also can't forget the impact that WiFi 7 will have on the home environment, where more and more devices are connected to the network at the same time. This includes everything from typical smartphones and laptops to smart appliances, security systems and home entertainment. Thanks to WiFi 7, all these devices will be compatible and will be able to work simultaneously without interference or speed drops..
