IPQ5424 vs IPQ5322: Comprehensive Comparison of Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 SoCs

With the gradual rollout of the Wi-Fi 7 standard, Qualcomm has introduced a series of Wi-Fi 7-capable SoC solutions. Among them, the IPQ5424 and IPQ5322 are two standout chips positioned for the mid-to-high-end networking market. Although both belong to the Qualcomm Network Pro platform and support core Wi-Fi 7 technologies, they differ significantly in architecture, performance, interface capabilities, and target applications. This article provides a comprehensive comparison to help guide product selection and system design.

1. Core Architecture & Processing Performance

Feature	IPQ5424	IPQ5322
CPU	Quad-core Cortex-A73	Quad-core Cortex-A53
Clock Speed	Up to 2.2GHz	Up to 1.5GHz
Process Node	6nm / 7nm FinFET	14nm
Platform	Network Pro 620 Series	Network Pro 420 Series

The IPQ5424, with its more advanced Cortex-A73 cores and higher clock speed, significantly outperforms the IPQ5322, which uses power-efficient Cortex-A53 cores. This makes the IPQ5424 better suited for high-throughput, high-concurrency network environments.

2. Wi-Fi Capabilities

Feature	IPQ5424	IPQ5322
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Frequency Bands	Dual-band (2.4G + 5G)	Dual-band (2.4G + 5G)
MLO Support	Supported	Supported
Max PHY Throughput	~5.8+ Gbps (depends on front-end)	~3.6 Gbps (depends on front-end)
Common RF Pairings	QCN6274 / QCN9274	QCN6224 / QCN6274

Both chips support key Wi-Fi 7 features such as MLO (Multi-Link Operation), 4096-QAM, and Multi-RU, but the IPQ5424 can deliver higher throughput when paired with higher-end front-end chips.

3. Interface & Expansion Capabilities

Interface Type	IPQ5424	IPQ5322
PCIe Support	2 x PCIe 3.0	1 x PCIe 2.0
Ethernet Support	2.5G/1G/SGMII/RGMII	1G/SGMII/RGMII
USB	USB 3.0	USB 3.0
Max Ethernet Speed	2.5G	1G

IPQ5424 offers stronger expansion capabilities through more PCIe lanes and higher Ethernet throughput, making it suitable for devices with multiple RF modules or multi-gigabit ports.

4. Application Scenarios

Feature	IPQ5424 Applications	IPQ5322 Applications
Target Devices	High-end enterprise routers, mesh hubs, outdoor APs	Mid-range home routers, mesh nodes, SMB APs
User Density	Medium to high	Low to medium
Overall Capability	High throughput and multitasking	Sufficient for general usage

IPQ5424 is ideal for performance-driven commercial or industrial deployments, while IPQ5322 is tailored for cost-sensitive consumer and SOHO markets.

5. Power Consumption & Thermal Design

Feature	IPQ5424	IPQ5322
Power Profile	Higher	Lower
Cooling Needs	Requires active or advanced passive cooling	Standard passive cooling sufficient

Due to its higher performance, IPQ5424 requires better thermal management, while IPQ5322 is more energy-efficient and suitable for compact or fanless designs.

6. Cost Analysis

Feature	IPQ5424	IPQ5322
Chip Cost	High	Moderate
BOM Cost	High	Moderate-Low
RF Pairings	QCN6274 / QCN9274	QCN6224 / QCN6274

While IPQ5424 delivers superior performance, it also comes with a higher total cost. IPQ5322, on the other hand, offers a better balance between capability and affordability for mid-range designs.

7. Summary

Comparison Aspect	IPQ5424	IPQ5322
CPU Performance	Cortex-A73, high clock speed	Cortex-A53, energy-efficient
Process Node	6nm / 7nm	14nm
Wi-Fi Capability	High-throughput dual-band Wi-Fi 7	Moderate-throughput dual-band Wi-Fi 7
Interface Support	PCIe 3.0, 2.5G Ethernet	PCIe 2.0, 1G Ethernet
Application Scope	Enterprise / Industrial	Home / Small Office
Cost Structure	Higher	Mid-range

Conclusion:

• Choose IPQ5424 for high-performance, multi-user Wi-Fi 7 routers or enterprise-grade APs.

• Choose IPQ5322 for affordable, power-efficient designs in the consumer and SMB markets.

If you're working on board design or chip selection and need additional reference materials—such as block diagrams, recommended RF module pairings, or performance estimates—feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to help with more in-depth guidance.