With the advent of smart homes, Internet of Things (IoT), and the growing need for reliable, fast internet connections, the demand for high-speed Wi-Fi routers has increased exponentially. To keep up with this demand, the Wi-Fi industry has introduced a new standard: Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax. The next iteration, Wi-Fi 7, is currently in development and expected to be available in the near future. In this article, we'll take a closer look at these new standards and what they mean for the future of wireless networking.

Wi-Fi 6 

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi standard and is designed to improve overall network performance by increasing speed, reliability, and efficiency. The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization responsible for creating and promoting Wi-Fi standards, designed Wi-Fi 6 to address the challenges of a world with more wireless devices, more data, and more demanding applications. Wi-Fi 6 was built upon the existing Wi-Fi standard but brings a host of new features and improvements.

One of the key features of Wi-Fi 6 is its support for multiple users and devices. This is what makes the Gryphon AX so perfect for larger families, as well as anyone working or schooling from home. Wi-Fi 6 routers use a technology called Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to divide a Wi-Fi channel into smaller sub-channels. This allows the router to serve multiple devices simultaneously and more efficiently, leading to better overall performance and reduced latency.

Another key feature of Wi-Fi 6 is its support for faster data transfer speeds. Wi-Fi 6 routers support up to 9.6 Gbps of data transfer, which is significantly faster than the 3.5 Gbps supported by the previous 802.11ac standard. This increased speed is particularly important for applications such as video streaming and gaming, where low latency and high bandwidth are critical.

Wi-Fi 6 also includes a number of other features designed to improve network efficiency, such as Target Wake Time (TWT) and Basic Service Set (BSS) Coloring. TWT allows devices to schedule their wake-up time, reducing overall power consumption and improving battery life. BSS Coloring reduces interference between neighboring Wi-Fi networks, improving overall network reliability and performance.

In addition to these new features, Wi-Fi 6 also supports all of the features and security protocols of the previous 802.11 standards, such as WPA3 encryption and MU-MIMO technology.

Many devices now support Wi-Fi 6, but in order to take full advantage of these speeds and efficiency, your home router will also need to support Wi-Fi 6. This is why, if you’re interested in getting the fastest speeds out of your new devices, we recommend upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router like the Gryphon AX.

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of Wi-Fi and is currently in development. While the final specifications for Wi-Fi 7 have not yet been released, the Wi-Fi Alliance has provided some guidance on what we can expect from the new standard.

One of the key improvements in Wi-Fi 7 will be its support for even faster data transfer speeds. While the current Wi-Fi 6 standard supports up to 9.6 Gbps of data transfer, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to support speeds of up to 30 Gbps or higher. This increased speed will be made possible through the use of new technologies such as wider channels and higher-order modulation.

Another key improvement in Wi-Fi 7 will be its support for even more devices and users. Wi-Fi 7 will use the same OFDMA technology as Wi-Fi 6, but with even more advanced scheduling capabilities. This will allow Wi-Fi 7 routers to efficiently handle even larger numbers of devices and users, making it ideal for use in crowded environments such as stadiums and shopping centers. 

Wi-Fi 7 is also expected to include a number of new features designed to improve overall network efficiency and reliability. For example, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to introduce new technologies for reducing interference and improving network security. It will also feature improved support for IoT devices, making it easier to connect and manage large numbers of devices. 

The Wi-Fi 7 standard could be finalized as early as fall of 2023. Be on the lookout for Wi-Fi 7 routers and devices that will change the way you use technology!

Upgrade Your Wi-Fi with Gryphon

Keeping up to date with Wi-Fi technology is essential to keeping your devices fast and secure. Interested in the latest Wi-Fi 6? You can shop the Gryphon AX router today.