Upgrading to a new wireless standard is no longer the preserve of a select few techies and has become a necessity for every modern user. If you're wondering who supports WiFi 6, it's time to upgrade your network equipment for maximum speeds. 802.11ax technology, marketed as WiFi 6, provides a more stable connection in densely populated areas and allows you to connect dozens of devices without a drop in throughput.
Most flagship smartphones released after 2020 already have the necessary hardware modules. However, having a fast plan from your provider doesn't guarantee high speeds if your router or client device uses an older protocol. Understanding compatibility is key when upgrading your home network, allowing you to avoid unnecessary expenses and achieve real performance.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the ecosystem of supported equipment, from popular router brands to the specifics of adapters in laptops and gaming consoles. You'll learn how to test your device, whether it's worth upgrading to the standard right now, and what hidden benefits the new data transfer architecture offers in a modern smart home.
Smartphones and tablets: mass support for the standard
Mobile devices have become the main driver of technology adoption, as they are most often used to consume heavy content. Almost all flagship smartphones, starting from 2020, are equipped with Wi-Fi 6 modules. This means that if your phone was purchased in the last few years, it is highly likely already capable of working with the new 1024-QAM frequency and modulation.
Apple began implementing support for the standard with the iPhone 11 series, including the Pro and Pro Max models. All subsequent generations, including the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and the current 16 series, are fully compatible. In the Android world, the situation is even more varied: the Samsung Galaxy S series (starting with the S10), the Note 10, and the newer Z Fold/Flip models use the new protocol. Xiaomi, OnePlus, Huawei, and Honor have also switched to 802.11ax in mid- and high-end models released after 2020.
⚠️ Attention: Budget smartphone models may technically support the 5 GHz frequency, but use the older 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard. Always check the chipset specifications for the specific model, not just the "dual-band" feature.
Tablets weren't left out either. The iPad Pro, iPad Air (4th generation and newer), and iPad mini (6th generation) received full support. Among Android tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and newer, as well as top-end Lenovo and Huawei models, offer fast loading speeds and low ping times, which are crucial for cloud gaming and 4K video editing.
Laptops and PCs: The Need to Upgrade Adapters
The situation with personal computers and laptops is more complex due to their long life cycles. Integrated Wi-Fi 6 support has been available in Intel processors since the 10th generation (Ice Lake series) and in AMD Ryzen 4000 series mobile chips and newer. If your laptop was purchased in 2020 or later, the chances are high that wireless module already installed.
However, having a modern processor doesn't guarantee the right adapter. Many manufacturers may have saved money in budget builds by installing a previous-generation module. For desktop PCs, the situation depends on the motherboard: models with B550, Z590, and newer chipsets often have integrated Wi-Fi 6, but older boards will require a PCIe card or USB adapter.
☑️ Check PC compatibility
For desktop computer owners who can't open the case or don't have available slots, external USB adapters are an excellent solution. They allow you to instantly upgrade an older PC. It's important to choose devices with a USB 3.0 interface, as USB 2.0 bandwidth will bottleneck the device and prevent it from reaching its potential speeds above 400 Mbps.
How to find out the model of your Wi-Fi adapter in Windows?
Open Device Manager (Win+X -> Device Manager) and find the "Network Adapters" section. If you see names with the abbreviation AX (for example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200), then support is available. If you see AC or N, the adapter is an older generation.
Game consoles and multimedia set-top boxes
Gamers are particularly interested in low ping and connection stability, so support for new standards is being actively implemented. Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X|S consoles are natively equipped with Wi-Fi 6 modules. This ensures fast game downloads from digital stores and stable online multiplayer, even under heavy network load.
Unlike the next-generation consoles, the PlayStation 4 (including the Pro version) and Xbox One only support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). The Nintendo Switch also uses the 802.11ac standard, albeit a limited version, which often leads to user complaints about download speeds. For these devices, using a wired connection or a powerful router with high-quality QoS implementation remains the only way to improve the experience.
Among multimedia set-top boxes, devices based on Android TV and Apple TV are leading the pack. Apple TV 4K models (second generation and newer) and Nvidia Shield TV Pro fully support the new standard. This allows for high-bitrate streaming without buffering. Older Smart TV models (pre-2020) are often limited to Wi-Fi 5, even if the TV has a 4K screen.
Router Compatibility: Market Leaders
Choosing a router is the foundation of your network. Almost all major networking equipment manufacturers have been releasing models with 802.11ax support for several years now. Market leaders include TP-Link (Archer and Deco series), ASUS (RT-AX and ZenWiFi series), Keenetic (KN series), Xiaomi, and Zyxel.
When choosing a router, it's important to pay attention not only to the Wi-Fi 6 logo but also to the device class (AX1800, AX3000, AX5400, etc.). The number after the letters AX indicates the total theoretical speed. For an apartment with a plan of up to 500 Mbps, a basic AX1800 is suitable, while for gigabit plans and a large number of devices, it's better to look for an AX3000 or higher.
| Brand | Wi-Fi 6 Series | Peculiarities | Price segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | Archer AX, Deco X | Best value for money, wide range of Mesh | Budget - Premium |
| ASUS | RT-AX, ZenWiFi | Powerful hardware, advanced features for gamers (AiMesh) | Medium - Premium |
| Keenetic | KN-series (for example, KN-1910) | Flexible OS, excellent work with peripherals and VPN | Average |
| Xiaomi | Mi Router AX, Redmi AX | Aggressive price, minimalist design, basic functionality | Budget |
Mesh systems deserve special attention. If you plan to cover a large home, Wi-Fi 6 support in mesh nodes is critical. It allows you to establish a dedicated wireless backhaul between the router and satellites without consuming half the speed of client devices.
Technical features and benefits of 802.11ax
Why is it worth upgrading to a new standard if older devices are working fine? The main reason is efficiency in radio-noise environments. The technology OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (ORF-DI) allows a single channel to be divided into multiple subchannels. The router can send data to multiple devices simultaneously within a single time slot, rather than one at a time, as was previously the case.
Another important feature is BSS Coloring. In apartment buildings, signals from neighboring routers often interfere with each other, forcing devices to wait for the airwaves to clear. BSS Coloring adds a "color code" to your network's data packets. If the router sees a signal with an "unrelated" color, it ignores it and doesn't wait for the channel to clear, significantly improving speeds in densely populated areas.
Also worth mentioning is the target wake time (TWT). This feature allows devices to negotiate sleep and wake times with the router. Smartphones and IoT devices (light bulbs, sensors) spend less time in active standby mode, which positively impacts their battery life.
How to check if your device is supported
The most reliable way to find out if your device supports the new standard is to check the model specifications on the manufacturer's official website. Look for phrases such as "802.11ax," "Wi-Fi 6," or "Wi-Fi 6E." If only "802.11ac" or "Wi-Fi 5" is listed, the device's hardware won't support the new speeds, even if connected to a modern router.
In Windows, you can use the Device Manager. Find your wireless adapter, open its properties, and look at the driver or model. The model name often includes "AX" (e.g., Intel AX200, AX210), which directly indicates support for the standard.
Android and iOS smartphones don't have a direct "6" indicator in the corner of the screen. However, if you're connected to a Wi-Fi 6 router, you can see the network standard being used in the connection settings or through dedicated apps (such as Wi-Fi Analyzer). If the router only broadcasts 802.11ax and your phone connects, it supports it.
⚠️ Attention: Router settings interfaces and menu item names may vary depending on the firmware version and device model. If you can't find a setting, check the official instructions on the manufacturer's website, as functionality may be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a Wi-Fi 6 router if I have a 100 Mbps plan?
For a 100 Mbps plan, upgrading isn't critical in terms of speed, as the older Wi-Fi 5 (AC) standard easily handles this load. However, a Wi-Fi 6 router will provide better stability, lower latency (ping), and allow you to connect more devices without a speed drop, which is essential for a smart home.
Will a Wi-Fi 5 device work on a Wi-Fi 6 router?
Yes, the standard is fully backwards compatible. Your old smartphones, laptops, and tablets will work as usual on the new router. They just won't be able to take advantage of the new speeds and modulation, operating at their maximum capabilities.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is an enhanced version of the standard that adds support for a third frequency band, 6 GHz. This provides additional wide, interference-free channels. 6E requires support from both the router and the client device (smartphone/laptop).
Will a new router increase internet speed if my provider is providing low data?
No. A router can't create speed out of thin air. If your ISP offers 50 Mbps, you won't get faster than 50 Mbps, regardless of your router's power. The new standard will only help within a local network (for file transfers between devices) or if your current router is a bottleneck and is throttling your ISP's speed.