A Comparison of Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6 Solutions: IPQ5010, IPQ5018, and IPQ6018

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A Comparison of Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6 Solutions: IPQ5010, IPQ5018, and IPQ6018

Qualcomm’s IPQ family powers many Wi-Fi 6 access points, gateways, and embedded router boards. If you’re designing a routerboard, CPE, FWA gateway, or industrial AP, picking the right SoC affects throughput, client density, firmware complexity, and BOM cost. This article compares three commonly used Wi-Fi 6 SoCs — IPQ5010, IPQ5018, and IPQ6018 — to help you choose the best fit.

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At a glance

• IPQ5010 — entry-level Wi-Fi 6: lower CPU performance, ideal for simple CPEs and cost-sensitive 2×2 designs.
• IPQ5018 — mid-range and industrial-focused Wi-Fi 6: better CPU and networking balance for 2×2–4×4 boards and industrial applications.
• IPQ6018 — high-performance Wi-Fi 6 SoC with a quad-core A53 CPU, suited for higher client counts, mesh, or FWA gateways.
  
  

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1) CPU & System Performance

• IPQ5010 — typically used with a dual-core CPU around 800 MHz, good for basic routing and small numbers of clients.
• IPQ5018 — features dual Cortex-A53 cores around 1.0 GHz, offering more headroom for firmware stacks and network acceleration.
• IPQ6018 — integrates quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 ~1.8 GHz, delivering stronger performance for heavy workloads like VPN, DPI, and multi-radio mesh routing.
  
  

Why it matters: CPU power determines how well the device can handle multiple services and clients simultaneously. For demanding firmware or advanced networking features, IPQ6018 is the better choice.

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2) Wi-Fi Radios, Streams & Throughput

• IPQ5010 — usually paired with 2×2 Wi-Fi 6 radios, providing essential coverage and speed for small networks.
• IPQ5018 — supports advanced 2×2 and some 4×4 configurations, ideal for industrial-grade or custom routerboards.
• IPQ6018 — designed for higher aggregate throughput, typically achieving around 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and 573 Mbps on 2.4 GHz in 2×2 mode.
  
  

Note: Real-world performance depends on radio modules, antennas, and PCB design. The SoC defines the data-handling capacity, while external radios determine signal quality and coverage.

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3) I/O, Memory & Expandability

• IPQ5010 — designed for cost-effective builds with limited RAM and flash, suitable for simple firmware.
• IPQ5018 — offers more flexibility in I/O options, making it suitable for rugged industrial devices.
• IPQ6018 — includes multiple PCIe lanes, M.2 support, and higher DDR memory, allowing expansions such as 5G modems, extra Ethernet ports, or storage.
  
  

If your design requires additional interfaces or hybrid 5G/FWA deployment, IPQ6018 provides the most versatility.

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4) Typical Use Cases

• IPQ5010 → Best for low-cost home routers and compact CPEs.
• IPQ5018 → Ideal for industrial routers, edge devices, and custom solutions that need stability and moderate processing power.
• IPQ6018 → Recommended for enterprise or service-provider equipment requiring high throughput, multi-radio setups, or edge computing features.
  
  

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5) Firmware & Software Ecosystem

Qualcomm’s IPQ series is supported by Qualcomm’s QSDK as well as community OpenWrt adaptations.

• IPQ5018 is widely used in industrial boards with reliable long-term firmware.
• IPQ6018 requires newer SDKs but supports advanced features like mesh networking and multi-WAN.
  
  

For developers integrating advanced features, both IPQ5018 and IPQ6018 provide a stable foundation for custom firmware development.

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6) Cost & Availability

• IPQ5010 products are the most cost-efficient and suitable for high-volume consumer routers.
• IPQ5018 offers the best balance between performance and cost.
• IPQ6018 is higher in BOM cost but ideal for performance-driven designs with long lifecycle needs.
  
  

If your project prioritizes price and simplicity, start with IPQ5010 or IPQ5018. For advanced features or premium performance, IPQ6018 is the right choice.

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Recommendation ChecklistRequirementRecommended SoC
Basic home or SOHO routerIPQ5010
Industrial/professional deviceIPQ5018
High throughput / mesh / multi-WAN gatewayIPQ6018

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Q&A

Q: Which chipset supports 4×4 MIMO?
A: The capability depends on the board design and external radios. IPQ6018 and higher SoCs are more commonly used in multi-stream designs.

Q: Are these SoCs compatible with OpenWrt?
A: Many IPQ series devices are supported by OpenWrt or Qualcomm SDK forks, but you should check with your board vendor for exact compatibility.

Q: Can an IPQ5010 system reach the same performance as IPQ6018 by upgrading radios?
A: No. The SoC’s CPU and bus architecture determine packet handling speed. Upgrading radios alone won’t match IPQ6018-level performance.

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Conclusion

Qualcomm’s IPQ5010, IPQ5018, and IPQ6018 each serve distinct segments of the Wi-Fi 6 market — from cost-effective consumer routers to industrial and enterprise-grade gateways. For developers and OEMs, the choice depends on your target application, performance goals, and budget.

For industrial or custom Wi-Fi 6 hardware, Wallys Communications provides Qualcomm-based solutions such as DR5018S and DR6018 series router boards, supporting OpenWrt and QSDK firmware, customizable interfaces, and OEM/ODM development.

Your Path to Custom Industrial Wireless AP Solutions — Wallys Communications.
Contact our sales team at [url=]sales1@wallystech.com[/url] to learn more.