By Claus Hetting, Wi-Fi NOW CEO & Chairman
The number of Wi-Fi 6E devices grew by more than 2.5 times from Q1 to Q4 last year to reach 1262.
The latest Wi-Fi 6E device data kindly shared with us by Wi-Fi connectivity leaders Intel shows that the total number of Wi-Fi 6E-capable devices reached 1262 by the end of Q4 last year. The number includes PCs (by far the majority), phones, APs, and TVs. The count finished strong for 2022 with the number of Wi-Fi 6E devices growing by more than 2.5 times from end of Q1 to end of Q4 last year.
Much of the PC growth was facilitated by support for Wi-Fi 6E in 11th & 12th Gen Intel® Core™ platforms and Intel® Evo™ and vPro® brand requirements, Intel says – meaning that laptops carrying the two brands are required to include Wi-Fi 6E capabilities. Intel also says continued growth in the number of Wi-Fi 6E PC models is expected in 2023 following the launch of new 13th Gen Intel platforms with similar Wi-Fi 6E integration, which was announced at CES 2023 (read more here).
Meanwhile rumours about Apple’s forthcoming iPhone release abound in the tech press allegedly originating from a research note from a couple of Barclay’s analysts. Apple is supposedly planning to release iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models with Wi-Fi 6E support – according to this news source.
We’ve issued an update regarding our note on Wi-Fi 6E being available on the latest MacBook 14 inch and 16 inch models: It is now confirmed that these devices indeed support Wi-Fi 6E. If the rumours hold true, Apple will up its tally of Wi-Fi 6E-capable devices from four to six following the expected iPhone 15 Pro & Pro Max releases later this year. Apple’s new iPod Pro models already support Wi-Fi 6E.
/Claus.
