The new Samsung S10 has just been released and there was something about its specs that you might be missing. Wi-Fi 6 Ready! What is WiFi 6, you ask? Did you even know that there are different types of Wi-Fi?
If you knew there were different types of Wi-Fi, you probably knew them as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11n, or 802.11ac. If you count, then these are 5 different versions.
The WiFi Alliance, an organization of companies and people that help develop WiFi standards, decided to make versioning easier for you. 802.11n is now known as Wi-Fi 4, 802.11ac is now called WiFi 5, and the next popular thing is Wi-Fi 6. But if you want to use its full name, it’s IEEE 802.11ax.
So, what’s the difference to WiFi 6?
As you would expect from a new version of any technology, WiFi 6 is faster. It supports data transfer rates up to 9.6Gbps. Compare that to your WiFi 5, and it’s nearly three times faster.
WiFi6 also supports connecting multiple devices at the same time. This may not have been a problem for you at home. But when you’re in public almost anywhere, there’s always free Wi-Fi.
Have you ever noticed how if it was a crowded cafe the data gets scanned? This will be enhanced by two technologies that WiFi 6 will use: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO).
Faster, for more people
OFDMA allows more people to connect to any single channel on the router. This is a more efficient way to increase the number of people who connect, as well as reduce latency (slowness) and maintain high data rates.
MU-MIMO also increases data throughput and the number of clients connecting simultaneously. It does this in a slightly different way, allowing more data to be transferred at one time.
A simple analogy is going from a store with one cash register and no barcode scanners to a store with many new checkouts with barcode scanners. More devices can be serviced with the same quality and faster.
This is important because the average household can expect to have around 50 internet-connected devices in the near future, according to a report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Stronger signal, longer batteries
Wi-Fi 6 will also have improved signal strength within its range for faster data rates and a more stable signal.
Target wake-up time (TWT) is another technology that WiFi 6 will use. Qualcomm, the manufacturer of many WiFi chips, says it will help ” phones use up to 33% less power ” when using WiFi. The basic idea is that Wi-Fi on your phone will only activate when it needs to transfer data.
How good is WiFi 6 really?
Let’s say you’re watching Netflix in the living room, your partner is watching Hulu in the bedroom, your teenage daughter is streaming Spotify in her room while video chatting with friends, and your youngest son is already 6 hours of epic Fortnite drunkenness.
Would you cringe to see your Netflix stutter and drop in quality? Not with WiFi 6. Anything that can happen and you won’t notice if you have a WiFi 6 network at home.
This is what Wi-Fi 6 promises.
Will my old phone work with WiFi 6?
The short answer is yes. You won’t get all the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 by connecting your old device to a WiFi 6 router, but you should be able to connect and use it. This could mean it will be easier for you to connect to Wi-Fi in a crowded cafe and have better transfer speeds if they have a WiFi 6 hotspot.
So yes, your phone, tablet, computer and IoT devices will work with a WiFi 6 router.
Will my WiFi 6 work with my old router?
Again, the short answer is yes. And just like we covered in the previous section, you won’t have the benefits that you would get by connecting to a WiFi 6 router. The old router still has its limitations, and your phone cannot surpass them. Just because you own a Ferrari doesn’t mean you can ignore the speed limits.
Do I need a WiFi 6 router?
This is the age-old quandary of necessity and desire. If you want to take full advantage of the new WiFi 6 standard, you need a WiFi 6 router to use with your phones, tablets, computers, and WiFi 6 smart devices. If you’re happy with your current router, no, you don’t need to buy a new one.
When you buy a new router, keep in mind our tips to strengthen your Wi-Fi signal and improve its performance. You want to squeeze every drop out of him.
Which devices will have WiFi 6?
The Samsung Galaxy S10 is the largest phone to hit the market with Wi-Fi 6. Expect Apple, Google and everyone else to follow this trend in their next product launches. You will also find that Wi-Fi 6 is built into cars.
Qualcomm has created a Wi-Fi 6 chip that will “support a gigabit hotspot in the car and provide an efficient Wi-Fi connection throughout the car, supporting ultra-high definition (Ultra-HD) video streaming across multiple displays, screen mirroring from compatible devices.” and wireless backup cameras, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.1 â€.
Also, most WiFi router manufacturers already have WiFi 6 routers on the market. Prices start at around $ 130 and then go up.
What else should i know about WiFi 6?
Depending on the manufacturer of the router or device, you can expect enhanced Bluetooth 5.1 capabilities, synergy with the new 5G cellular data standard. Expect 5G capabilities on the best Android phones this year WPA-3 security will also be integrated for better data protection. Basically, things are getting better.
Image Credit:
Linksys Mu-Mimo Explanation: https: //www.amazon.co.uk/b? Ie = UTF8 & node = 9836110031
Galaxy S10 screenshot – https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-s10/performance/
Qualcomm Automotive Case Study – https://www.qualcomm.com/news/media-center/images
Asus Router – https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51L44eF4GYL._SL1000_.jpg
Wi-Fi 4-5-6 Comparison, WiFi 4-5-6 Naming Convention – wifi.org
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