What is Wi-Fi 6?

 

The current 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard – or Wi-Fi 6 for short – brings improvements in speed, efficiency and security. Particularly in locations with high network utilisation, the new generation promises faster Wi-Fi for a greater number of simultaneously connected devices. The theoretically possible maximum speed increases to 9.6 Gbps – with shrinking latency.

Das WiFi-6-Icon von devolo in Grün.

What are the benefits compared to Wi-Fi 5?


The jump from Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) increases the browsing speed. If the old ac standard quickly hits its limits when there are many clients, Wi-Fi 6 proves to be significantly better at multitasking and more efficient. In addition, the new standard is more secure and saves more energy.

Did you know? With Magic 2 WiFi 6, the power of the new Wi-Fi standard can be distributed throughout the home.

Greater efficiency on the data highway – with OFDMA

PCs and laptops require high top speeds for downloads. Smartphones, tablets and smart TVs require stable connections for streaming. And now there are also household appliances getting in the wireless mix, wanting to transmit smaller data packets time after time. Wi-Fi channels are now a scarce commodity – and need to be used efficiently. Previous Wi-Fi technology delivers these data packets of different sizes bit by bit.

Not so with Wi-Fi 6: The current standard is fully committed to efficiency – and thanks to OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), it combines as many packets per delivery as possible. The result: A video conference won't freeze due to a parallel download. And a WhatsApp message is sent out immediately even if you're streaming Netflix at night.

More features and benefits of Wi-Fi 6

Eine Illustration, die die Versorgung mehrerer Endgeräte mit schnellem WLAN darstellt.

Performance and multitasking


Wi-Fi 6 uses frequency bands in the 2.4 and 5 gigahertz range, an improved multi-user MIMO and a higher modulation density per data packet (QAM-1024). Now the 5 GHz band works with a channel width of 160 megahertz.

 

In plain English, this means your Wi-Fi is more flexible, faster and makes it easier to use data-hungry applications in parallel – such as high-quality video conferences.

Eine Illustration, die das WiFi-6-Feature Target Wake Time anhand mehrerer Smartphones mit unterschiedlichem Akkustand darstellt.

Energy efficiency


Wi-Fi 6 ensures more intelligent management of the data streams – and reduces the power consumption of connected devices by means of TWT (Target Wake Time). Now these switch to standby mode if they are not communicating with the Wi-Fi.

 

For example, you won't have to charge your integrated smartphone battery as frequently now. And IoT devices in your home, which often do not need a continuous Wi-Fi connection, operate with significantly better efficiency.

Eine Illustration, die das WiFi-6-Feature BSS-Coloring anhand farblicher Kreise darstellt.

Conflict prevention


In overloaded Wi-Fi environments – such as multi-family buildings – routers and access points can really get in each other's way. Overlapping signals slow down the data transmission and disrupt the Wi-Fi.

 

Wi-Fi 6 relies on BSS colouring and thus prevents conflicts with neighbouring networks. As a result, delays and connection interruptions become significantly rarer.

Eine Illustration, die den in WiFi 6 genutzten Sicherheitsstandard WPA3 symbolisch darstellt.

Data security


For encryption of the wireless connection, Wi-Fi 6 relies on the WPA3 security protocol.

 

This encryption standard especially makes targeted attacks on weak passwords nearly impossible and keeps your network devices secure from harmful external influences.

Which devices support Wi-Fi 6?

 


There are now numerous end devices that support Wi-Fi 6, including Apple smartphones – iPhone 11 and later and Samsung mobile phones – Galaxy S10 and later. Brands such as Huawei, OnePlus, Motorola and others also already have the ax standard installed.

 

PlayStation 5 is the first home console to offer Wi-Fi 6. Intel has been using the standard ever since 9th generation desktop processors were released. Numerous well-known laptop manufacturers such as Asus, Dell and HP now provide Wi-Fi 6 support. If necessary, however, many laptops and PCs can also be easily retrofitted with the AX standard.

Eine Hand hält ein weißes Smartphone, auf dem ein grünes WiFi-6-Icon abgebildet ist.

Wi-Fi 6 and backward compatibility

 


Are you still using a lot of end devices that operate wirelessly with Wi-Fi 4 or 5? No problem, because Wi-Fi 6 offers broad (backward) compatibility. So even now you can upgrade your Wi-Fi and keep using your smartphones, consoles and IoT devices quite easily.

 

The speed boost of Wi-Fi 6 for data transmission won't be a benefit you can enjoy then, but even older devices benefit from new functions such as TWT (Target Wake Time) and WPA3. So even now Wi-Fi 6 makes your home network more efficient, more energy-saving and more secure.

history of wifi standards from wifi 1 to wifi 6

Checklist: The benefits of Wi-Fi 6 at a glance

 

  • Increased Wi-Fi speed of up to 9.6 Gbps
     
  • Stable network – even when there are many simultaneously active devices
     
  • Greatly increased efficiency due to OFDMA, MU-MIMO etc.
     
  • Longer battery life for networked end devices
     
  • Increased security due to WPA3 encryption standard

Now new: the first Powerline adapter with Wi-Fi 6

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  • 50 percent more Wi-Fi performance than any Wi-Fi 5 Powerline adapter: up to 1800 Mbps! The new technology of the Magic 2 Wi-Fi 6 supplies your mobile devices with an extremely strong Wi-Fi signal.
  • Extra power for many users: Wi-Fi for everyone, at the same time and throughout the home – through efficient use of the frequency spectrum.
  • Flexible use of the channels and increased efficiency due to OFDMA.
  • Always well networked – by means of airtime fairness, access point steering, fast roaming, band steering.
  • Adapter set for establishing your Magic Powerline network with two adapters (Ethernet and Wi-Fi).
4 devolo Adapter mit grüne WLAN-Zeichen

devolo Product Advisor

 

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Looking for more to read about Wi-Fi and Powerline methods?
Visit our technology overview page for more information.

 

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