WiFi 6 or WiFi 7? Why IPQ9574/IPQ5312 is a Better Choice Than IPQ8072

 With the continuous advancement of wireless communication technology, WiFi 7 has gradually replaced WiFi 6 and become the mainstream choice for the new generation of high-performance network equipment. When choosing a wireless solution, many manufacturers will consider WiFi 6 solutions (such as IPQ8072), but in fact, choosing WiFi 7 solutions (such as IPQ9574 or IPQ5312) may be a more forward-looking decision. This article will analyze why WiFi 7 solutions are more competitive than WiFi 6 from the aspects of performance, price, and future development.

1. Performance comparison: WiFi 7 vs. WiFi 6

Compared with WiFi 6, WiFi 7 has brought significant performance improvements in many aspects. The following is a comparison of IPQ9574/IPQ5312 and IPQ8072 in key parameters:

(1) Higher Speed and Bandwidth

• WiFi 6 supports a maximum of 160MHz bandwidth, whereas WiFi 7 supports up to 320MHz bandwidth, effectively doubling the data rate.

• IPQ9574/IPQ5312 uses 4096-QAM modulation, which increases data transmission capacity compared to 1024-QAM in WiFi 6.

(2) MLO (Multi-Link Operation) Support

• IPQ9574/IPQ5312 supports MLO technology, enabling simultaneous data transmission over 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, reducing latency and improving throughput.

• IPQ8072 (WiFi 6) does not support MLO, relying on a single frequency band, which limits its flexibility.

4x4 5G+6G MLO dual direction TP 12.7 Gbps

(3) Greater Concurrent Capacity

• IPQ9574 supports 12x12 MU-MIMO, allowing more devices to connect simultaneously compared to IPQ8072’s 8x8 MU-MIMO, making it ideal for high-density environments.

• IPQ5312, as a Qualcomm WiFi 7 solution, delivers high-performance wireless connectivity in a compact form factor, making it suitable for AP solutions.

2. Cost Analysis: WiFi 7 Offers Better Value

Currently, IPQ9574 and IPQ5312, despite being WiFi 7 solutions, are approaching or even lower in cost compared to WiFi 6 solutions, for the following reasons:

(1) WiFi 7 Solutions Offer More Competitive Pricing

• IPQ8072 still utilizes a 14nm process, and its cost has not significantly decreased despite being an older generation.

• WiFi 7 solutions (IPQ9574/IPQ5312) are now in mass production, leading to significant cost reductions, with some suppliers offering prices comparable to WiFi 6 solutions.

(2) WiFi 7 Solutions Reduce Additional Component Costs

• WiFi 7 supports the 6GHz band, which in some regions reduces reliance on the 5GHz band, simplifying DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) requirements.

• Higher bandwidth support (320MHz) improves user experience in the same network environment, reducing the need for additional AP deployments.

3. Future Market Trends

Over the next 3-5 years, WiFi 7 is expected to become the mainstream standard. To ensure long-term product viability, choosing WiFi 7 solutions (IPQ9574/IPQ5312) is the smarter decision:

1. WiFi 7 Device Adoption is Increasing

2. Growing Customer Demand, WiFi 6 Struggles to Keep Up

Conclusion: WiFi 7 is the Better Choice

Based on the analysis above, in terms of performance, cost, and future-proofing, WiFi 7 solutions (IPQ9574/IPQ5312) offer clear advantages over WiFi 6 (IPQ8072). If you are planning new wireless products, choosing WiFi 7 ensures competitiveness for the next 3-5 years.

Recommended Solutions:

• High-Performance Enterprise WiFi 7 Solution → IPQ9574

• Compact & Cost-Optimized WiFi 7 Solution → IPQ5312

The WiFi 7 era is here—now is the best time to transition to WiFi 7 solutions!