Qualcomm IPQ Series Overview: Entry-Level to High-Performance Wi-Fi Platforms

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Qualcomm IPQ Series Overview: Entry-Level to High-Performance Wi-Fi Platforms

Qualcomm’s IPQ series has become the backbone of modern Wi-Fi networking, powering everything from consumer routers to industrial-grade wireless access points. With a wide range of SoCs tailored for different performance levels, the IPQ family provides flexible solutions for OEMs, ODMs, and developers building Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 7 products.

In this article, we’ll explore the Qualcomm IPQ series from entry-level to high-performance models, highlighting their features, use cases, and how they fit into various wireless projects.

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1. Entry-Level: IPQ4019 and IPQ4029 – Proven Workhorses for Wi-Fi 5

The IPQ4019 and IPQ4029 are Qualcomm’s well-established Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) platforms designed for cost-effective networking solutions.
They integrate a quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU and dual-band 2.4GHz + 5GHz Wi-Fi radios, supporting MU-MIMO and hardware NAT.

Key Features:

• Quad-core 717 MHz ARM Cortex-A7 processor
• Dual-band 2x2 2.4G + 2x2 5G Wi-Fi
• MU-MIMO and beamforming support
• Suitable for mesh routers, CPE, IoT gateways
  
  

Typical Use Cases:
Entry-level mesh systems, small office routers, and industrial Wi-Fi solutions requiring stability and low power consumption.

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2. Mid-Range: IPQ5010, IPQ5018, and IPQ6018 – The Wi-Fi 6 Generation

The IPQ50xx and IPQ60xx series mark Qualcomm’s shift to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), delivering significant performance and efficiency upgrades.

IPQ5010/IPQ5018

These SoCs target mainstream Wi-Fi 6 devices, balancing cost and capability.
They feature a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and support 2x2 or 4x4 configurations, enabling higher throughput and better spectral efficiency.

Key Highlights:

• Quad-core Cortex-A53 up to 1.5 GHz
• Supports up to 160 MHz channel width
• Target Wake Time (TWT) and OFDMA support
• Ideal for SMB routers, APs, and gateways
  
  

IPQ6018

A more advanced Wi-Fi 6 SoC, the IPQ6018 supports up to 8x8 MIMO and higher data rates, providing a solid foundation for enterprise-grade routers.

Key Highlights:

• Quad-core Cortex-A53 up to 1.8 GHz
• Dual-band 4x4 Wi-Fi 6 with 1024-QAM
• Hardware acceleration for VPN/NAT
• Suited for enterprise routers and high-density deployments
  
  

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3. High-End: IPQ8072, IPQ8074, and IPQ8078 – Premium Wi-Fi 6 Platforms

The IPQ807x family represents Qualcomm’s flagship Wi-Fi 6 platforms, delivering exceptional performance for both residential and industrial-grade applications.

Key Features:

• Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 up to 2.2 GHz
• Dual 5GHz + 2.4GHz radios with 8x8 MIMO support
• Up to 6.8 Gbps peak throughput
• Advanced QoS and mesh capabilities
  
  

Typical Applications:
Enterprise routers, outdoor APs, carrier gateways, and high-density Wi-Fi environments.

Wallys Communications, for instance, has developed DR8072 and DR8074 router boards based on IPQ8072/IPQ8074, optimized for high performance and extended range.

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4. Next-Generation: IPQ5332 and IPQ9574 – Wi-Fi 7 Era Begins

As the industry transitions to Wi-Fi 7, Qualcomm’s IPQ5332 and IPQ9574 set new benchmarks in speed, latency, and multi-link capabilities.

IPQ5332

Positioned for mid-range Wi-Fi 7 devices, IPQ5332 supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and enhanced OFDMA scheduling, delivering stable multi-band communication.

IPQ9574

The high-performance flagship, IPQ9574, brings unmatched power for next-gen routers and enterprise-grade access points.

Key Features:

• Quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 up to 2.2 GHz
• Tri-band support (2.4G + 5G + 6GHz)
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
• 320 MHz channel bandwidth
• Up to 20 Gbps aggregate throughput
  
  

Use Cases:
Wi-Fi 7 routers, AIoT hubs, industrial APs, and custom wireless networking platforms.

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5. Choosing the Right IPQ PlatformSegmentChipsetWi-Fi StandardCPUTarget Applications
Entry-LevelIPQ4019 / IPQ4029Wi-Fi 5Quad A7IoT, CPE, SMB
Mid-RangeIPQ5010 / IPQ5018Wi-Fi 6Quad A53SMB APs, Routers
EnterpriseIPQ6018Wi-Fi 6Quad A53High-Density Wi-Fi
High-EndIPQ8072 / IPQ8074Wi-Fi 6Quad A53Enterprise / Carrier
Next-GenIPQ5332 / IPQ9574Wi-Fi 7Quad A73Industrial, AIoT, Edge

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6. Wallys Communications: Your Partner for Custom IPQ Solutions

Wallys Communications specializes in designing and manufacturing router boards, wireless modules, and antennas based on Qualcomm IPQ platforms.
From Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 7, Wallys offers OEM/ODM/JDM services, software customization, and industrial-grade optimization for various applications — including smart cities, security networks, and long-range data links.

👉 Featured Products:

• DR5018S – IPQ5018-based Wi-Fi 6 Router Board
• DR6018 – IPQ6018-based Wi-Fi 6 Industrial Solution
• DR8074 – IPQ8074-based Wi-Fi 6 High-Performance Platform
• DR9574 – IPQ9574-based Wi-Fi 7 Router Board
  
  

Contact Wallys:
📧 [url=]sales1@wallystech.com[/url]
🌐 www.wallystech.com

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Q&A

Q1: Which IPQ chipset is best for Wi-Fi 7 industrial routers?
A: The IPQ9574 offers the highest performance, ideal for Wi-Fi 7 industrial and enterprise routers.

Q2: Does Wallys provide software customization for IPQ platforms?
A: Yes, Wallys provides OpenWrt/QSDK firmware customization, driver optimization, and web UI development.

Q3: Can I get a sample or test board?
A: Yes, contact Wallys’ sales team for available router boards and technical support.