Wi-Fi 8 products will arrive this year before the standard is finalised

Wi-Fi 8 products are set to arrive as early as this year, although the standard itself will not be completed for some time. This new standard prioritises optimisation and should deliver a better connection in challenging conditions.

While many households have yet to adopt a Wi-Fi 7 router, Wi-Fi 8 is already being developed. Rather than concentrating on maximum theoretical speed, however, the teams behind the standard are focusing on network reliability, performance and limiting the effects of interference. It represents a significant shift that should improve internet access in homes, offices and public spaces.

In principle, Wi-Fi 8 will not be officially finalised until 2028. Yet announcements made at CES in Las Vegas indicate that some companies will not wait for finalisation or certification availability before releasing products that support Wi-Fi 8. Asus, for instance, used the show to unveil a Wi-Fi 8 router concept and carry out a real-world test of the technology. The company also said that its first domestic Wi-Fi 8 router will be available this year.

Meanwhile, chip supplier MediaTek introduced the Filogic 8000 at the Las Vegas event, a Wi-Fi 8 component intended for its customers’ products. Like Asus, MediaTek will enter the market before certification arrives. “The MediaTek Filogic 8000 product series will target premium and flagship devices using Wi-Fi 8 technology. The first chipset is expected to be available during the year,” the company said.

Wi-Fi 8 reliability should bring a clear improvement

Quoted by our colleagues at The Verge, Wi-Fi Alliance CEO Kevin Robinson said that the announcements at CES in Las Vegas demonstrate the industry’s enthusiasm for Wi-Fi 8. He nevertheless stressed that the Wi-Fi Alliance is still selecting the features to be included in Wi-Fi 8. “[…] It is common for the Wi-Fi ecosystem to begin work on silicon, reference designs, early product development, and technology previews prior to Wi-Fi CERTIFIED certification being available,” he added.

The first “Wi-Fi 8” products due this year are therefore likely to be based on the Alliance’s ongoing work, before receiving updates once certification has been completed. In any case, they should offer an initial indication of the improvements Wi-Fi 8 will bring. Asus says its test assessed the performance difference between Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8. “While theoretical data rates remain unchanged, our results showed that WiFi 8 can significantly increase throughput. Compared with WiFi 7, WiFi 8 delivers up to twice the throughput at mid-range,” the brand said.

More stable connections in difficult Wi-Fi 8 conditions

In its press release, Asus also states that Wi-Fi 8 should reduce connection degradation, make connections more stable and ensure a smooth experience regardless of where the router is located. The technology would additionally improve communication between low-power connected devices, such as lights. MediaTek, for its part, says Wi-Fi 8 should provide a more stable connection and low latency in difficult conditions.