Wireless networking evolves from WiFi 7 to WiFi 8 standards

The wireless networking landscape is transitioning through successive generations of standards. WiFi 7, technically known as IEEE 802.11be or Extremely High Throughput (EHT), has seen its final standard published by the IEEE as of July 2025. This generation offers significant speed improvements, reaching approximately 46 Gbit/s through multi-link operation (MLO), 320 MHz channel widths in the 6 GHz band, and 4K-QAM modulation. Compatible hardware includes recent high-end smartphones, such as the iPhone 16 and 17, and various gaming consoles and PCs.

Looking ahead, the development of WiFi 8 (IEEE 802.11bn) is underway, with a focus on Ultra High Reliability. Unlike previous iterations that prioritized raw speed, WiFi 8 aims to improve connection stability and performance in challenging environments, such as when users are far from a router or when multiple devices compete for bandwidth. TP-Link has already introduced early WiFi 8 products, including the Archer 8 Ultra router and Deco 8 Ultra mesh system, at IFA 2026. However, widespread adoption of the WiFi 8 standard is not expected until the standard is finalized, which is currently projected for 2028.