By Claus Hetting, WiFi NOW CEO & Chairman
New research into Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, and 6 GHz devices – kindly provided to us by Intel – reveals that more than 5000 Wi-Fi device models with support for 6 GHz operation and more than 1200 Wi-Fi 7 devices were announced or made available during 2021-2024. The Wi-Fi 7 device ramp up has been much faster than that of Wi-Fi 6E and only 23% of the Wi-Fi 7 devices identified in 2024 did not include support for 6 GHz.
New market research from Intel shows that Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, and 6 GHz market adoption has been – and continues to be – a massive success. The total number of Wi-Fi 6E devices released since Wi-Fi Alliance certification began in January of 2021 (until the end of 2024) was more than 4300, the overwhelming majority of which (88%) are personal computing devices. Most of these – meaning laptops and desktop PCs – are powered by Intel Wi-Fi 6E chips.
Meanwhile, releases of Wi-Fi 7-capable devices continue to ramp up quickly. Since certification began in January of 2024 until end 2024, the number of released Wi-Fi 7 devices reached more than 1230 including more than 500 personal computing devices, 169 phones, and close to 550 gateways and APs. Wi-Fi 7 adoption appears to be a full year ahead of Wi-Fi 6E (the number of Wi-Fi 6E devices reached about 1200 at the end of 2022, which is two years after the start of Wi-Fi 6E certification). The figures reported by Intel are valid for end of 2024 only and likely accurate within a few percent. This also means actual numbers at this time (in particular for Wi-Fi 7) likely are substantially higher.
And there is more good news: The number of Wi-Fi 7 devices not making use of the 6 GHz band were relatively few and – Intel says – mostly applicable to markets where 6 GHz is not available or as entry-level solutions for global markets. Approximately 77% of all Wi-Fi 7 devices (including both clients and APs) support 6 GHz. In total more than 5000 Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices released since 2021 support the 6 GHz band. The total number of 6 GHz device models nearly doubled in both 2023 and 2024.
It’s hard not to declare all of Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, and 6 GHz adoption a massive popular success. The expected accelerated ramp-up of Wi-Fi 7 devices in the coming years will no doubt further strengthen the 6 GHz device ecosystem. It is arguably hard to find a stronger and more expansive tech ecosystem than this.
Disclaimer: Intel Wi-Fi 6E/7 device model tracking is based on public information compiled from vendor/retailer websites, press releases, and third-party reviews. Intel provides this assessment for informational purposes only. Intel cannot guarantee its accuracy, and it is subject to change without notice.
For more also don’t miss Intel’s Eric McLaughlin speaking at Wi-Fi World Congress USA 2025 in Mountain View, California, on April 29. For more details on WWC USA and for ticket sales click here.
/Claus.
