WiFi 7 vs WiFi 6: What to (Realistically) Expect

WiFi 7 is—finally—here. Initial development began in 2021, and as we near the end of 2024, many vendors are offering increasing numbers of WiFi7-capable products. Apple recently announced that all iPhone 16 models will feature WiFi 7 support.

But what can you realistically expect from WiFi 7 compared to WiFi 6—or even earlier wireless network standards—and will it be worth upgrading?  

Let’s break it down. 

The Key Differences Between WiFi 7 and WiFi 6 

• 46Gbps – 4.8x faster speed 

• Up to 2.4x faster for the same exact WiFi configuration 

• 320 MHz – 2x bandwidth (only available in 6 GHz) 

• 4096 QAM – 20% higher transmission rates 

• 16 spatial streams – 2x greater 

WiFi 6 brought faster speeds, lower latency, and improved capacity by introducing technologies like OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) and MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output). These features allowed more devices to connect and communicate without bogging down the network. 

WiFi 7 takes those improvements and builds on them by offering:

• Higher Speeds: WiFi 7 offers theoretical speeds up to 46 Gbps, compared to WiFi 6’s 9.6 Gbps. That’s a huge jump, but keep in mind these are best-case scenarios, which most environments won't achieve either.
  

• More Bandwidth: WiFi 7 supports 320 MHz channel bandwidth, double that of WiFi 6, allowing for faster data transfers.
  

• Better Latency: Thanks to Multi-Link Operation (MLO), WiFi 7 devices can use multiple frequency bands simultaneously, reducing latency.
  

• Higher Density Support: With improvements like 4K QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), WiFi 7 enables better performance in environments with many connected devices, making it ideal for high-traffic settings like offices or conference venues.
  

• Preamble Puncturing: What was optional in WiFi 6 is now required in WiFi 7. Puncturing lets WiFi work around interference within a bonded channel, so you don’t have to stop using the entire channel like before.  

Realistic Expectations: What the Marketing Doesn’t Tell You 

Many WiFi 7 marketing materials tout performance numbers under "best-case" conditions, but most users won’t reach those speeds or capacities. Let’s talk about some reasons why you might not see all those eye-popping numbers, and what you should most-likely expect. 

1. Device Support: For starters, your devices need to support WiFi 7. If your laptops, phones, or tablets don’t have WiFi 7 chipsets, you won’t experience the full benefits. Device and driver support for advanced features such as MLO will be mixed and will likely take time to mature. In reality, most organizations operate in a mixed-device environment, where some devices might still be on WiFi 5 or 6, limiting the efficiency gains offered in WiFi 7.
   
2. Channel Reuse: WiFi 7 introduces wider channels (320 MHz) in 6 GHz, but in congested areas, this may be more theoretical than practical. Even with the additional spectrum available in 6 GHz, there are only three non-overlapping 320 MHz channels available. If you’re in a crowded office building or urban setting, channel overlap can lead to interference, limiting performance gains.
3. Signal Strength Requirements: Maximum performance numbers for WiFi 7 require excellent signal strength to achieve 4K QAM, which is only possible within a few feet from the access points. Higher frequencies (like the 6 GHz band) struggle with penetration through walls and other obstacles, the signal will degrade quickly, impacting coverage and performance.
4. Network Infrastructure: Many businesses still rely on legacy networking infrastructure that wasn’t designed to handle the bandwidth and performance improvements offered by WiFi 7. If your backend network (such as switches, routers, or even internet connections) isn’t upgraded to match the performance of your WiFi, the wireless improvements won’t reach their full potential.

   Get in touch with HBS to explore how you can optimize your network infrastructure and fully leverage the capabilities of WiFi 7.

5. Internet Bandwidth: Even with blazing-fast WiFi 7 speeds, your internet connection could be the bottleneck. If your organization’s internet plan doesn’t support high data speeds, no matter how fast your WiFi is, your experience will be limited by your ISP’s bandwidth. 

Why We Think WiFi 7 is Still Worth It 

Despite these limitations, upgrading to WiFi 7 is still a smart move for organizations focused on future-proofing their network. Even if you don’t reach the maximum speeds or capacities, the improvements in network efficiency, latency, and multi-device support can significantly enhance performance. With more cloud-based apps, video conferencing, and IoT devices becoming essential, WiFi 7 offers the infrastructure to handle increased demands.

Is It Right for You? 

WiFi 7 is great, and as more products enter the market it will only get better. But temper expectations—real-world performance will depend heavily on your setup and device ecosystem. For many organizations, a phased approach might be the best path forward, upgrading key areas first while ensuring your devices and infrastructure can support the new standard.  

Ready to explore WiFi 7 for your organization?

Contact our network and wireless experts at HBS to discuss how we can help you unlock the full potential of WiFi 7, tailored to your unique needs and infrastructure.