Intel to Launch WiFi7 in 2024 as Apple Gradually Transitions to WiFi6E

Intel to Launch WiFi7 in 2024 as Apple Gradually Transitions to WiFi6E.

Intel is planning to introduce the next generation of wireless network technology, WiFi7 (802.11be), in devices by 2024.

WiFi7, the successor to WiFi6E (802.11ax), leverages the high-performance 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands, delivering twice the data throughput (5.8Gbps) and supporting data processing speeds of up to 36Gbps.

Intel is expediting its WiFi7 development efforts before bringing it to the market in 2024, with plans to initially apply the technology to laptops and subsequently expand its usage to other devices.

“We are currently developing Intel’s WiFi ‘802.11be’ for ‘WiFi Alliance’ certification, which is expected to be integrated into PC products such as laptops by 2024. We anticipate it will hit the mainstream market by 2025,” said Eric McLaughlin, Vice President of Intel’s Wireless Solutions Division.

“WiFi7 nearly doubles the frequency bandwidth of 802.11ax (170MHz to 320MHz), resulting in a doubling of WiFi speeds. With over a year until the release of 802.11be, there is still an opportunity for us to further enhance its processing speed,” he added.

Intel predicts that WiFi7’s applications will expand through advanced technologies like high-end gaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and robotics, strengthening its penetration in the WiFi market.

Additionally, Qualcomm, Broadcom, and MediaTek are also preparing WiFi7-based products. “Intel will establish strong partnerships with multiple global companies and collaborators to offer WiFi7 to a wider range of products,” McLaughlin noted.

Intel to Launch WiFi7 in 2024 as Apple Gradually Transitions to WiFi6E

Meanwhile, Apple is in the midst of transitioning to WiFi6E. There were rumors last year that Apple would introduce this technology with the iPhone 13 series, but in reality, Apple has not released any devices supporting WiFi6E yet.

According to the latest reports, the upcoming iPhone 15 models are expected to support Wi-Fi 6E.

However, a leaked antenna design document obtained by MacRumors suggests that only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will include Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, while their more affordable siblings will continue to use the older Wi-Fi 6 standard.

However, current leaks suggest that the iPhone 14 series, equipped with Qualcomm’s latest X65 modem, will support speeds of up to 10Gbps. The Snapdragon X65 is the world’s first 5G modem-to-antenna solution compliant with the 3GPP Release 16 5G standard, supporting major frequency bands in different regions and offering the world’s first 10Gbps 5G baseband with upgradeable architecture.

Furthermore, the long-rumored Apple AR/VR headset is expected to support WiFi6E as well. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple plans to release head-mounted displays supporting WiFi6/6E, WiFi6E/7, and WiFi7 in 2022, 2023, and 2024, although there may be some delays.