Wi-Fi 7 tentative release date

For a while, hardware vendors have been introducing devices capable of Wi-Fi 7 based on draft specifications. The official release of the Wi-Fi 7 standard was initially anticipated for 2024, and with a more defined timeline now in place, it is expected that additional manufacturers, such as Intel, will soon unveil products harnessing Wi-Fi 7's advanced bandwidth and stability. The Wi-Fi Alliance has confirmed that the final Wi-Fi 7 standard will be launched before the close of the first quarter of 2024, promising multi-gigabit speeds and other enhancements compared to the existing Wi-Fi 6 standard. Demonstrating Wi-Fi 7 speeds last year, Intel and Broadcom achieved up to 5 Gbps—significantly surpassing Wi-Fi 6's typical maximum of around 1.7 Gbps. Wi-Fi 7 achieves this feat by enabling seamless switching between the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies, all of which compatible devices can simultaneously handle. Moreover, the 6GHz spectrum provides access to 320MHz superwide channels, doubling the throughput compared to Wi-Fi 6—a crucial factor contributing to the speed boost. The new standard further improves transmission rates by 20 percent, transitioning from 1024 QAM to 4K QAM. Wi-Fi 7 connections are anticipated to be more stable than previous specifications, as the multi-link operation intelligently balances traffic, enhancing the network's efficiency in accommodating multiple devices. The Alliance suggests that the new standard will be particularly well-suited for augmented and virtual reality applications. The recent preliminary approval by the FCC for ultrafast Wi-Fi tethering on the 6GHz spectrum marks a significant stride in enabling VR and AR devices to leverage Wi-Fi 7. The 2024 launch aligns with Intel's predictions from 2022, intending to release Wi-Fi 7-capable PCs next year, with widespread market availability projected for 2025. Qualcomm also expresses optimism about Wi-Fi 7, incorporating it into its FastConnect program alongside 5G. Since last year, manufacturers such as Netgear, TP-Link, Asus, Amazon, and Gigabyte have been introducing products based on draft specifications. For instance, Amazon launched the $600 Eero Max 7 router in September, boasting wireless speeds of up to 4.3 Gbps, covering an impressive 7,500 square feet with its $1,700 three-pack system. Gigabyte's recently announced PCIe adapter is an option for desktop upgrades to Wi-Fi 7, offering speeds of up to 5.8 Gbps and including all official specification features from the Alliance, although pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed. Motherboards supporting Wi-Fi 7 from major manufacturers are now available for those embarking on new builds.