As wireless communication technology continues to evolve rapidly, WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and WiFi 7 (802.11be) have become core drivers of the latest generation of wireless devices. Qualcomm’s IPQ5424 (WiFi 7 SoC) and IPQ5018 (WiFi 6 SoC) represent two different generations of wireless networking SoCs. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of these two solutions—from core architecture to wireless capabilities, processing power, I/O interfaces, power consumption, and application scenarios—to help OEMs, ODMs, and developers make better product decisions.
1. Basic Specifications Comparison
Specification
IPQ5424 (WiFi 7)
IPQ5018 (WiFi 6)
CPU Architecture
Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
Dual-core ARM Cortex-A53
Clock Speed
Up to 1.5GHz (configurable)
Up to 1.0GHz
WiFi Standard
802.11be (WiFi 7)
802.11ax (WiFi 6)
Frequency Bands
2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz
2.4GHz + 5GHz
MIMO Configuration
2x2 supported (each band)
2x2 supported (each band)
PHY Rate
288+ Mbps per stream (6GHz)
~240 Mbps per stream (5GHz)
OFDMA / MU-MIMO
Supported (UL/DL)
Supported (UL/DL)
QAM Modulation
Up to 4096-QAM
Up to 1024-QAM
Memory Support
DDR4 / DDR3L
DDR3L
Storage Interfaces
NAND / NOR / SPI / USB
NAND / NOR / SPI
Ethernet Ports
Up to 1x 2.5GbE + 2x GbE
Up to 2x GbE
Package Type
BGA
BGA
Industrial Temp Range
Supported (certain models)
Supported
Security Engine
WPA3, Trusted Execution (TEE)
WPA3
2. In-Depth Key Differences
1. Wireless Performance & Generational Leap
The IPQ5424, designed for WiFi 7, supports tri-band operation (2.4G + 5G + 6G) and includes key WiFi 7 features such as 4096-QAM and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) . Its wireless throughput significantly surpasses that of the IPQ5018, especially in congested environments where stability and bandwidth aggregation are critical.
The IPQ5018, a WiFi 6 SoC targeting mid-to-entry-level applications, supports dual-band operation with 2x2 MIMO but lacks advanced WiFi 7 capabilities.
2. CPU & Multitasking Capabilities
The IPQ5424 uses a quad-core Cortex-A53, offering 1.5–2x more concurrent processing power than the dual-core IPQ5018. This makes it better suited for handling multiple users and simultaneous device connections.
For platforms like OpenWRT, OpenWiFi, or edge computing use cases, the additional cores in IPQ5424 enable faster system response and task scheduling.
3. I/O & Expandability
The IPQ5424 supports a 2.5GbE Ethernet port, making it ideal for high-throughput data transfer. It also includes rich I/O options such as PCIe, USB 3.0, NAND, and SPI—suited for advanced industrial or edge network devices.
The IPQ5018 provides a simpler I/O setup, which is sufficient for cost-sensitive applications such as home repeaters or small business APs.
4. Power Efficiency
The IPQ5018 has lower power consumption, ideal for lightweight deployments or temperature-constrained environments.
The IPQ5424 consumes more power but implements dynamic power management for a balanced performance-to-power ratio, making it suitable for performance-intensive scenarios.
3. Typical Use Case Comparison
Application Type
IPQ5424 Advantages
IPQ5018 Advantages
Enterprise AP / Edge Gateway
✅ Better performance, multi-core, 2.5GbE
❌ Lacks high-end performance
Industrial CPE / Outdoor AP
✅ Tri-band & industrial-grade options
✅ Power-efficient, temperature-hardened
Home / SMB Routers
✅ Superior tri-band experience
✅ Low-cost and flexible deployment
Mesh Network Nodes
✅ Supports enhanced WiFi 7 mesh features
✅ Ideal for budget-conscious mesh networks
OpenWRT / OpenWiFi Dev.
✅ More memory & interfaces for development
✅ Good for entry-level customization
4. Future-Proofing & Ecosystem Value
IPQ5424 is positioned to be a mainstream mid-tier SoC for WiFi 7 over the next 3–5 years. It is compatible with front-end chips like QCN9274/QCN6274, making it ideal for building powerful tri-band platforms.
IPQ5018 remains a mature and stable solution in the WiFi 6 ecosystem. With its low BOM cost and wide deployment base, it’s still an attractive choice for cost-effective projects.
5. Conclusion
The comparison between IPQ5424 and IPQ5018 mirrors the broader technological evolution from WiFi 6 to WiFi 7. With enhanced wireless capabilities, higher processing power, and improved expandability, IPQ5424 stands out as the SoC of choice for next-generation networking devices. Meanwhile, IPQ5018 continues to offer solid performance for budget-conscious and legacy WiFi 6 deployments.
Recommendations:
Choose IPQ5424 if your project demands tri-band concurrency, high throughput, and enterprise-grade features.
Choose IPQ5018 for cost-effective, dual-band solutions with power efficiency.
If you need further technical documentation, SDK details, or development support for OpenWRT/OpenWiFi platforms, feel free to reach out!
