WiFi 6 or WiFi 7? Why IPQ9574/IPQ5312 is a Better Choice Than IPQ8072

With the continuous advancement of wireless communication technology, WiFi 7 has gradually replaced WiFi 6 and become the mainstream choice for the new generation of high-performance network equipment. When choosing a wireless solution, many manufacturers will consider WiFi 6 solutions (such as IPQ8072), but in fact, choosing WiFi 7 solutions (such as IPQ9574 or IPQ5312) may be a more forward-looking decision. This article will analyze why WiFi 7 solutions are more competitive than WiFi 6 from the aspects of performance, price, and future development.

Performance comparison: WiFi 7 vs. WiFi 6

Compared with WiFi 6, WiFi 7 has brought significant performance improvements in many aspects. The following is a comparison of IPQ9574/IPQ5312 and IPQ8072 in key parameters:

(1) Higher Speed and Bandwidth

WiFi 6 supports a maximum of 160MHz bandwidth, whereas WiFi 7 supports up to 320MHz bandwidth, effectively doubling the data rate.
IPQ9574/IPQ5312 uses 4096-QAM modulation, which increases data transmission capacity compared to 1024-QAM in WiFi 6.

(2) MLO (Multi-Link Operation) Support

IPQ9574/IPQ5312 supports MLO technology, enabling simultaneous data transmission over 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, reducing latency and improving throughput.
IPQ8072 (WiFi 6) does not support MLO, relying on a single frequency band, which limits its flexibility.

4x4 5G+6G MLO dual direction TP 12.7 Gbps

(3) Greater Concurrent Capacity

IPQ9574 supports 12x12 MU-MIMO, allowing more devices to connect simultaneously compared to IPQ8072’s 8x8 MU-MIMO, making it ideal for high-density environments.
IPQ5312, as a Qualcomm WiFi 7 solution, delivers high-performance wireless connectivity in a compact form factor, making it suitable for AP solutions.

2. Cost Analysis: WiFi 7 Offers Better Value

Currently, IPQ9574 and IPQ5312 , despite being WiFi 7 solutions, are approaching or even lower in cost compared to WiFi 6 solutions, for the following reasons:

(1) WiFi 7 Solutions Offer More Competitive Pricing

IPQ8072 still utilizes a 14nm process, and its cost has not significantly decreased despite being an older generation.
WiFi 7 solutions (IPQ9574/IPQ5312) are now in mass production, leading to significant cost reductions, with some suppliers offering prices comparable to WiFi 6 solutions.

(2) WiFi 7 Solutions Reduce Additional Component Costs

WiFi 7 supports the 6GHz band, which in some regions reduces reliance on the 5GHz band, simplifying DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) requirements.
Higher bandwidth support (320MHz) improves user experience in the same network environment, reducing the need for additional AP deployments.

3. Future Market Trends

Over the next 3-5 years, WiFi 7 is expected to become the mainstream standard. To ensure long-term product viability, choosing WiFi 7 solutions ( IPQ9574 /IPQ5312) is the smarter decision:

WiFi 7 Device Adoption is Increasing
Growing Customer Demand, WiFi 6 Struggles to Keep Up

Conclusion: WiFi 7 is the Better Choice

Based on the analysis above, in terms of performance, cost, and future-proofing, WiFi 7 solutions (IPQ9574/IPQ5312) offer clear advantages over WiFi 6 (IPQ8072) . If you are planning new wireless products, choosing WiFi 7 ensures competitiveness for the next 3-5 years.