While 5G is ?? ?? ???the talk of the town, WiFi still has a place in the world, and there's a new version of it you should know about.
The Wi-Fi Alliance announced Monday that it would start offering WiFi 6 certifications to device manufacturers. That means the non-profit group will make sure WiFi 6 devices are all up to the same technical standards, and if they are, there will be a badge on the packaging to let you know.
That's all well and good, but what does that actually mean? Luckily, we're here to explain everything to you.
WiFi 6 is a new version of the same WiFi you've been using for more than a decade, but faster and more efficient. Just as mobile internet jumped from 3G to 4G, and is upgrading to 5G this year, WiFi technology has gradually improved over the years.
SEE ALSO: This is why the iPhone 11 doesn't have 5GSince we constantly ask for more from our internet, such as streaming 4K movies and even entire video games, it only makes sense that our WiFi should get better.
The main thing you need to know is that it provides much, much faster speeds than the WiFi we all use right now. According to CNET's testing, it can outpace the average download speed in the United States by around 1,000 percent.
Yeah, that's fast. One of the other selling points, per the Wi-Fi Alliance, is that WiFi 6 can perform better in crowded environments where a lot of devices are connected to a single network. Internet speeds in sports stadiums or other packed venues could be significantly better with WiFi 6.
Right now, not really. We're still in the early stages of WiFi 6 deployment, and devices need to be built with the standard in mind to take advantage of it.
To be clear, that is absolutely happening. Companies like Netgear have already produced a handful of WiFi 6-compatible routers, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 and iPhone 11 both support the standard, too. That said, these devices are all held back by ISPs in the U.S.
It's great that WiFi 6 can achieve download speeds of well above 1,000 Mbps, but most home networks can't support that right now. If you buy a WiFi 6-compatible device but your home internet package only goes up to 200 Mbps, it's a little bit like using a 5G phone in a 4G network. It'll work and you'll be fine, but it won't feel any different from what you're used to.
Even if WiFi 6 doesn't work for most people or devices in 2019, it's important that standards are set now to make sure it works well once the infrastructure is in place. It could be a few years before you start seeing tangible effects from the WiFi 6 rollout, but rest assured that it's happening.
Topics iPhone
Previous:APFT Honors Comedy
Apple shares most popular podcasts and books of 2023Best holiday deal: Buy a preSpotify Wrapped 2023 date: When it comes out, how to view yoursMost users on X never see Community Notes correcting misinformationBest Meta Quest games 2023, according to a hardcore VR gamerHow to split screen on ChromebookBest Amazon device deals: Fire TV sticks, Echo Show bundles, and more devices still on sale postU.S. judge blocks Montana's TikTok banBest Shark FlexStyle deal: Save $100 for a limited time via Best Buy DropsSave over $100 on XREAL Air glasses, and more AR glasses deals Shader Compilation and Why It Causes Stuttering, Explained NASA just jumped online to correct outrageous space station misinformation Playing Call of Duty Can Improve Your Driving Skills Explainer: What is SSD Trimming? Voyager found a mystery on Uranus. Decades later, NASA solved it. Webb telescope finds hot young star Vega is actually quite lonely How Hot is Too Hot for PC Hardware? This black hole just did something theoretically impossible NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for June 23: Tips to solve Connections #273 iPhone 17 could reportedly get one of these two new base colors
0.1507s , 9847.3515625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【?? ?? ???】WiFi 6 is coming. Here is what you need to know.,Feature Flash