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This article made Wi-Fi 7 sound like some sort of next generation technology that maybe Apple might consider for their most expensive phones, while it's been "widely used" by midrange phones nowadays.
The phones might be able to do it (doubtful), but there is barely any hardware out there supporting it currently. If I look at what my wifi dishes pick up from the neighborhood? The best people have is g and n. Not even ac. Never mind ax. WiFi 7 ? I suspect I will be the first, and will have moved to WiFi 9 before anyone else is on it.
 
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It’s not only about bandwidth which some people seem to think.

Me to the AI/LLM Claude:

Could you sum up the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 over the older versions?

Claude:

Wi-Fi 7 (also known as IEEE 802.11be) offers several key improvements over its predecessors. Here's a concise summary of its main benefits:

1. Higher speeds: Theoretical maximum speeds up to 46 Gbps, significantly faster than Wi-Fi 6/6E.

2. Lower latency: Reduced delay in data transmission, beneficial for gaming and real-time applications.

3. Improved efficiency: Better use of available spectrum and network resources.

4. Enhanced reliability: More robust connections, especially in congested environments.

5. Wider channels: Support for 320 MHz channels, allowing for increased data throughput.

6. Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Ability to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously for improved performance and reliability.

7. Better support for dense environments: Improved handling of many connected devices in close proximity.

8. Backward compatibility: Works with older Wi-Fi standards while offering new benefits.

These improvements make Wi-Fi 7 particularly suited for applications requiring high bandwidth and low latency, such as augmented/virtual reality, 8K video streaming, and large file transfers.
 
I honestly expect they bring WiFi 7 to all 16 lineup...same for Bluetooth 5.4
It would be great to get UWB v2 chip for all devices (AppleTV, all future apple devices - to get best FindMy network coverage all around the world).
 
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They're out there and can be purchased at Staples, as just one example. A Ubiquiti consumer level WiFi 7 (tri-band) AP is $189. An enterprise level Ubiquiti WiFi 7 AP is $279. I'll soon be upgrading my APs.
Unfortunately, both only support 2.5Gb/s off the AP. Pretty disappointing. Keep hoping that Ubiquiti will finally offer one with a 10Gb/s or even better a 25Gb/s option, but since they are barely shipping 10Gb/s gear, that is unlikely. :)
 
A great deal of households don't even currently own WiFi 6 much less 6E routers and a huge whole less own WiFi 7 routers so having a phone with 7 built-in is completely pointless. My Pixel 8 Pro has WiFi 7 but my router only supports up to 6 but my home WiFi speeds are more than sufficient to stream up to 4K content and I have lots of IoT devices that have no issues maintaining connection and generally working without any issues. Let's say I get a WiFi 7 router, at the moment my phone is the only device that supports it and even then I'd be hitting my ISP's throughput ceiling as I do now so I see no reason to upgrade my router.
 
Unfortunately, both only support 2.5Gb/s off the AP. Pretty disappointing. Keep hoping that Ubiquiti will finally offer one with a 10Gb/s or even better a 25Gb/s option, but since they are barely shipping 10Gb/s gear, that is unlikely. :)
The tranceivers in those ubiquiti AP’s don’t go that far anyway. I think the highest is a theoretical 8.6 Gbit, which you will never reach outside a lab.
 
It’s not only about bandwidth which some people seem to think.

Me to the AI/LLM Claude:

Could you sum up the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 over the older versions?

Claude:

Wi-Fi 7 (also known as IEEE 802.11be) offers several key improvements over its predecessors. Here's a concise summary of its main benefits:

1. Higher speeds: Theoretical maximum speeds up to 46 Gbps, significantly faster than Wi-Fi 6/6E.

2. Lower latency: Reduced delay in data transmission, beneficial for gaming and real-time applications.

3. Improved efficiency: Better use of available spectrum and network resources.

4. Enhanced reliability: More robust connections, especially in congested environments.

5. Wider channels: Support for 320 MHz channels, allowing for increased data throughput.

6. Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Ability to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously for improved performance and reliability.

7. Better support for dense environments: Improved handling of many connected devices in close proximity.

8. Backward compatibility: Works with older Wi-Fi standards while offering new benefits.

These improvements make Wi-Fi 7 particularly suited for applications requiring high bandwidth and low latency, such as augmented/virtual reality, 8K video streaming, and large file transfers.
All those benefits means if you connect your Wifi 7 enabled device to a WiFi 7 router that is connected to a gigabit speed DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem or a modem connected to a fiber optic line, you will really get true 1 gigabit download speeds. And it means 1 gigabit upload speeds to a fiber-connected modem and eventually DOCSIS 4.0 cable modem.
 
You’re just referring to your simple home setup.

But when 7 rolls out to event venues, sporting events, public spaces, things like a crowded McDonalds, etc that is when 7 really shines.

Better speeds, better on the edge, all in high congestion with tons of connections.

7 also completely gets rid of the need for the vast majority of homes to ever need any type of wired connections AT ALL. I know 6 is that way for most people currently, but 7 really maxes out those “Gig” connections from the cable and fiber companies.

It really is a huge step forward for WiFi

latency for online gaming is one of the main reasons left for anyone to run ethernet, or for moving huge files across a network.
 
it does seem rather quick for Apple to be adopting WiFi 7 when only the 15 pro supported 6e. their previous record suggested that 6e would have been the choice of WiFi in regular iPhones for A few years.

that said, wifi 7 - even in draft spec - sounds like the kind of test bed that would suit the iPhone slim (or whatever the rumoured top end priced phone would be.
 
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Still rocking a TimeCapsule with hard drive. May have to upgrade. 😂

Given the rumors that Apple has been working on its own Wi-Fi 7 chip, maybe there's a chance it might eventually re-enter the router market by reviving the AirPort line (loosely similar to how it seemed to abandon the HomePod and then brought it back).
 
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Given the rumors that Apple has been working on its own Wi-Fi 7 chip, maybe there's a chance it might eventually re-enter the router market by reviving the AirPort line (loosely similar to how it seemed to abandon the HomePod and then brought it back).
Well, that would be interesting and fun, wouldn’t it?
 
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I am surprised the few comments here *actually* understands WiFi / 802.11be. ( MR Comments isn't exactly known for Hardware understanding ) It is reliability, capacity ( not speed / throughput ) and latency that makes WIFI 7 good.

I am hoping Apple will be using 2nd Gen Broadcom WIFI rather than 1st gen though.
 
Good to have support for WiFI 7 but not sure how many will be using WiFi 7 routers
 
The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are "widely expected" to support Wi-Fi 7
With the exhorbitant prices Tim Cook charges, customers deserve Wi-Fi 7. But Cook prioritizes money over being ethical to customers, so it wouldn't be surprising if Wi-Fi 7 is not included in order for Apple to save money, and not pass those savings on to customers, in order to maximize profits.
 
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You’re just referring to your simple home setup.

But when 7 rolls out to event venues, sporting events, public spaces, things like a crowded McDonalds, etc that is when 7 really shines.

Better speeds, better on the edge, all in high congestion with tons of connections.

7 also completely gets rid of the need for the vast majority of homes to ever need any type of wired connections AT ALL. I know 6 is that way for most people currently, but 7 really maxes out those “Gig” connections from the cable and fiber companies.

It really is a huge step forward for WiFi
I'm glad some people here see the point of WiFi 7 coming to our devices! Judging by the comments, many don't.
 
I'm glad some people here see the point of WiFi 7 coming to our devices! Judging by the comments, many don't.
Like others say, the number of people who will benefit will be relatively low. WiFi at home especially will be something that, like TVs, Might only get upgraded rarely and home users just going with home routers provided by ISPs that may not even be WiFi 6, never mind 7.

Even some enthusiasts who did upgrade to WiFi 6 or 6e with or without a mesh network may find they don’t wish to upgrade to WiFi 7 so soon.

This is before we count in internet WAN speeds, gigabit is rare In the uk, prices are high.

That’s not to say that there wont be any takers and if Apple have done a deal to get decent WiFi 7 chips into iPhones without excessive cost then why not?
 
Like others say, the number of people who will benefit will be relatively low.
Ever???

You're missing the point. The point is about making it the future! It's not about serving one enthusiast today, and as others explained there is a lot more to it than helping one person/one family on their home wifi. If it doesn't start appearing in top end devices today then that future is delayed.
 
Ever???

You're missing the point. The point is about making it the future! It's not about serving one enthusiast today, and as others explained there is a lot more to it than helping one person/one family on their home wifi. If it doesn't start appearing in top end devices today then that future is delayed.
I'm sure that if Apple gets a good deal on a Wifi 7 enabled chipset they may get it. They're always concerned with cost of components and ability of suppliers to deliver in the quantity required - millions upon millions for mainstream iPhones. This is why so many people complain that Apple are behind in so many technologies but ahead in others.

A high end 'slim' model would be the place to test flight something that doesn't need that high a volume where higher component costs may be absorbed more readily by the consumer.

It's just that it seems like a massive jump from Wifi 6 to 7 (largely bypassing 6e) by Apple. Can Broadcom supply in the requisite numbers?
 
Now all we need to go with our WiFi 7 iPhone is a new WiFi 7 Airport Extreme.
I actually think there's good competition behind the major manufacturers who can bring Wifi 7 into the market - prices are high at the moment though. Don't think Apple would want to get back into the market - especially as they disbanded the Airport team years ago.
 
Sadly I think you're correct.
I would have thought they’d be interested in another time capsule for local storage but iCloud storage appears to be the way to go there.

Obviously consumers can choose between various cloud storage options now. Let the user sort out their own home network.

If a NAS or DAS (eg thunderbolt attached storage) was needed then there’s several big names in the frame there too. If I wanted a cheap on site backup alongside my iCloud then a usb connected drive plus Time Machine or some sort of cloned solution is also available.

We will soon see if apple want to put WiFi 7 on an iPhone. I think it’s more useful on a Mac and would stand as a hardware feature alongside thunderbolt 5 which is probably a bit further out but offers twice the bandwidth of thunderbolt 3 and 4.
 
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