WiFi 7 routers (including WiFi 7 routers without 6GHz band support)

[xiaofan]

LOL maybe i can start low-balling those carousell's Archer BE805 ( a Filogic 880!)


That acwifi 站主 kinda pessimistic :

I understand, there are different test reports about effectiveness of 2.4G+5G MLO from different reviewers. On the other hand, this may well be due to the use of different WiFi 7 router/clients and different FW version of the WiFi 7 router and clients.

We just have to be patient to see more real life testing results.

Even those enterprise AP experts are excited about MLO, not so much on the speed but rather the reducing of latency. But they also think it takes time to deploy WiFi 7 and see the real benefits.

BTW, many of them (from my limited watching of YouTube Videos of a few channels) are not really interested in 320MHz channel bandwidth and 4096 QAM.

2.4G +5G MLO 我由一年前已经说了，这种不实用，不如不用。实测也是如此，而且比单频5G更慢。真的不如不用，所以，大家对于现时那些双频的Wi-Fi 7，它的MLO不要有期望。2.4G就乖乖地做智能家居的无线接上点就OK了。你们在对双频Wi-Fi 7，开启MLO后，测速是不是更差了？

 

[xiaofan]

For Speed improvement, 5G+6G MLO, 5G1+5G2 MLO and 6G1+6G2 MLO (not available in Singapore) will be quite useful.

The following video shows 5G1+5G2 MLO has great improvement for speed in near range and far range, using Xiaomi BE10000.


Another video shows that 5G1+5G2 MLO has great improvement for speed and reduction in latency.

 

[xiaofan]

In terms of WiFi 5 and WiFi 6, I actually follow pretty quickly (about one year after the launch of the standard). But I will skip WiFi 6E and wait for true WiFi 7 router (with 6GHz band) to come down in price.

WiFi 5 standard -- launched in June 2013 --> I got my Linksys WRT1900AC (rated AC1900) in April 2014 (WIFi 5 Wave 1) for my Singtel Fibre subscription. The I got Starhub issued D-Link DIR-865L (AC1750) in 2014 as well when I upgraded my Starhub Cable online to 100Mbps Fibre.

WiFi 6 standard -- launched in August 2019 --> I got my Huawei AX3 Pro (AX3000) in July 2020 and Asus RT-AX82U (AX5400) in Dec 2020. Later I also bough Huaweri AX3 Quad Core local version in Jan 2022 and Asus RT-AX86U in Dec 2022.

WiFi 6E standard -- launched in Jan 2021 --> I will skip WiFi 6E equipment. Singapore only approved 6GHz band 5,925MHz to 6,425MHz for WiFi usage in May 2023 and WiFi 6E equipement only appeared in later part of 2023.

WiFi 7 standrd -- to be launched in 2024 ("Wi-Fi Certified 7" program started in Jan 2024): I am skipping true WiFi 7 router in 2024 since I'd like to wait for the price to go down. But I got ZTE BE7200 Pro+ (China version WiFi 7) in Feb 2024.

 

[xiaofan]

9. WiFi 7 chipsets info

Broadcomm:
https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure

Qualcomm:
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/technology/wi-fi/wi-fi-7#product-list

MediaTek:
https://www.mediatek.com/technology/wi-fi-7

1) Qualcomm apparently takes the lead now since TP-Link is mainly using Qualcomm. Netgear is also using Qualcomm chipset in its flagship Orbi 970 quad-band mesh solution. Same for China version of WiFi 7 routers from Xiaomi and TP-Link.

Networking Pro 1620/1220/820/620 -- IPQ9574/9570, IPQ9554/9550, IPQ9534/9530, IPQ9514/9510
Immersive Home 326 (IPQ5322)

Some examples -- Netgear Orbi 970 (IPQ9574), TP-Link Archer BE800 (IPQ9570), Deco BE85 (IPQ9570) and Deco BE65 (IPQ9550?), Xiaomi BE10000 (IPQ9574)/BE7000 (IPQ9554) and BE6500 Pro (IPQ5322). Xiaomi BE3600 uses the low end IPQ5312.

2) Broadcom BCM 4916 CPU based platform
Asus is still using Broadcom BCM 4916, like Asus ROG GT-BE98 and RT-BE96U. Same for their China version of GT-BE88U.

Netgear is also using BCM4916 in Nighthawk RS700/RS700S.

3) MediaTek Filogic 880/860/380/360

Filogic seems to be used only in TP-Link Archer BE805 (MT7988AV).
Not so sure which WiFi 7 router is using Filogic 380.
We may have to wait a bit futher to see product based on Filogic 860/360 as they are pretty new.

4) Huawei uses its own chipset (CPU+WiFi) for Huawei BE3 Pro.

5) ZTE uses its own CPU but with MediaTek WiFi chips for its ZTE BE7200 Pro+.

 

[Nakedtoes]

1) Qualcomm apparently takes the lead now since TP-Link is mainly using Qualcomm. Netgear is also using Qualcomm chipset in its flagship Orbi 970 quad-band mesh solution. Same for China version of WiFi 7 routers from Xiaomi and TP-Link.

Networking Pro 1620/1220/820/620 -- IPQ9574/9570, IPQ9554/9550, IPQ9534/9530, IPQ9514/9510
Immersive Home 326 (IPQ5322)

Some examples -- Netgear Orbi 970 (IPQ9574), TP-Link Archer BE800 (IPQ9570), Deco BE85 (IPQ9570) and Deco BE65 (IPQ9550?), Xiaomi BE10000 (IPQ9574)/BE7000 (IPQ9554) and BE6500 Pro (IPQ5322). Xiaomi BE3600 uses the low end IPQ5312.

2) Broadcom BCM 4916 CPU based platform
Asus is still using Broadcom BCM 4916, like Asus ROG GT-BE98 and RT-BE96U. Same for their China version of GT-BE88U.

Netgear is also using BCM4916 in Nighthawk RS700/RS700S.

3) MediaTek Filogic 880/860/380/360

Filogic seems to be used only in TP-Link Archer BE805 (MT7988AV).
Not so sure which WiFi 7 router is using Filogic 380.
We may have to wait a bit futher to see product based on Filogic 860/360 as they are pretty new.

4) Huawei uses its own chipset (CPU+WiFi) for Huawei BE3 Pro.

5) ZTE uses its own CPU but with MediaTek WiFi chips for its ZTE BE7200 Pro+.

TpLink BE550 using which cpu.. Any idea? I got a set coming in soon... But I realised mine zte z50ultra is China phone.. Dun know got support 6ghz boh...hiaz..

 

[xiaofan]

TpLink BE550 using which cpu.. Any idea? I got a set coming in soon... But I realised mine zte z50ultra is China phone.. Dun know got support 6ghz boh...hiaz..

TP-Link is quite bad and hide the CPU/RAM/Flash info for their WiFi 7 routers now. So I have to use Google and the above info may not be exact right.

Google can not find the info for Archer BE550 CPU info.

 

[kira.yiktah]

Tilted af. I just got my TP-Link BE805 today from the MyRepublic 10Gbps deal. The lack of function in the router config is frustrating.

So, with my Asus router prior, I configured it to have smart connect enabled so it is only 1 SSID, but I enabled wireless mac filter for the 2.4GHz radio, set it to allow, and only allowed a few devices so majority of my devices can only connect on 5GHz, ensuring I don't end up on slow 2.4GHz other those few devices.

I am unable to do something similar with the BE805. The wireless mac filter is just a straight up allow / deny without separation of the radios. There's also very little for configuring the band-steering unlike Asus routers. Holy heck.

 

[xiaofan]

Tilted af. I just got my TP-Link BE805 today from the MyRepublic 10Gbps deal. The lack of function in the router config is frustrating.

So, with my Asus router prior, I configured it to have smart connect enabled so it is only 1 SSID, but I enabled wireless mac filter for the 2.4GHz radio, set it to allow, and only allowed a few devices so majority of my devices can only connect on 5GHz, ensuring I don't end up on slow 2.4GHz other those few devices.

I am unable to do something similar with the BE805. The wireless mac filter is just a straight up allow / deny without separation of the radios. There's also very little for configuring the band-steering unlike Asus routers. Holy heck.

Since MyRepublic uses ONT, you can always get an capable Asus router as the main router and sell the TP-Link Archer BE805.

You can also use a capable mini PC as main router (running pfSense/OPNsense/OpenWRT), then use the TP-Link Archer BE805 as an AP only.

FYI, there is a new development that MR starts to offer Asus GT-BE98 for the higher tier 10G Gamer Plan. So there is a chance that you can get Asus ROG GT-BE98 at quite a bit lower price than the listed S$1099 price.

MyRepublic just launched a new bundle with Asus BE98
https://myrepublic.net/sg/gamer-10gbps-rog-be25000/

*with $150 additional top up

The monthly fee also goes up. If we compare the Gamer plan with TP-Link Archer BE805 (S$64.99 per month and S$50 top-up) vs Gamer plan with Asus ROG GT-BE98 (S$74.99 per month with S$150 top-up), basically the difference in value of the router is: S$240 + S$100 = S$340.

MR claims that Asus ROG GT-BE98 is at S$1099 and TP-Link Archer BE805 is at S$799. So the value difference is at S$300. But we all know Asus brand is worth more money in the second hand market. So the different in price is at S$340 now from MR.

Let's see at what price people will offload the GT-BE98 (retail price is now at S$1099).
Archer BE805 --> at about S$400 BNIB in Carousell now (similar to TP-Link EB810v from Starhub)
Asus ROG GT-BE98 --> at about S$750 to S$800?? [Question is whether people will buy or not at this price]

I am pretty bad at predicting the offload price. Originally I was thinking that TP-Link Archer BE805 and EB810v can be offloaded at S$550-ish initially and then went down towards S$400. But actually the price immediately dropped to S$400 level.

Reference:
Asus GT-AX6000 --> retail price is at S$599 now. BNIB offload price is at about S$400 in Carousell.
Asus ROG-GT98 --> retail price is at S$1099 now. BNIB offload price will be at about S$??? Carousell.

 

[kira.yiktah]

Actually, I was using pfSense with Asus Zenwifi XT9 as AP. Your solution of using pfSense with the BE805 as AP wouldn't work as the wireless mac filtering is still done on the AP since it's a wireless issue. It does seem the only play is to get Asus router but that's really expensive. Alternatively, really suck thumb and disable smart connect and have 2 separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Really hate doing that though.

 

[xiaofan]

Actually, I was using pfSense with Asus Zenwifi XT9 as AP. Your solution of using pfSense with the BE805 as AP wouldn't work as the wireless mac filtering is still done on the AP since it's a wireless issue. It does seem the only play is to get Asus router but that's really expensive. Alternatively, really suck thumb and disable smart connect and have 2 separate SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Really hate doing that though.

Good point on the wireless MAC fitlering.

I actually use another strategy to make sure majority of the devices will go to 5GHz, I simply disable 2.4GHz on my Asus RT-AX86U. Device connected to RT-AX82U will be using 5GHz. My family members will mostly use this WiFi SSID.

Then I have another wireless AP (Asus RT-AX82U --> ZTE BE7200 Pro+) will 2.4GHz/5GHz for my legacy 2.4GHz client (most important thing is the Brother Wireless Printer). This AP is actually behind my virtual OpenWRT (sometimes also playing with pfSense/OPNsense) router since I have two independant home networks and this network is mainly used by me. My family member will use this SSID only when they need to print.

Most likely you will not have two independant networks, but you can just use a dedicated AP for the 2.4GHz clients. If those clients are not important, then you do not even need another AP, just use 2.4GHz guest network of the main router.

 

[Singrish]

FYI, there is a new development that MR starts to offer Asus GT-BE98 for the higher tier 10G Gamer Plan. So there is a chance that you can get Asus ROG GT-BE98 at quite a bit lower price than the listed S$1099 price.

Definitely cheaper to go this route and buy a second BE98 off the shelf for AImesh than for me to sign up for starhub, try to sell their EB810v (if even sellable) and buy two BE98 off the shelf.

But how is MR’s 10gbps network? Seem like some say its ok some say Starhub better. Mixed reviews leh.

 

[xiaofan]

Definitely cheaper to go this route and buy a second BE98 off the shelf for AImesh than for me to sign up for starhub, try to sell their EB810v (if even sellable) and buy two BE98 off the shelf.

But how is MR’s 10gbps network? Seem like some say its ok some say Starhub better. Mixed reviews leh.

MR and Starhub 10Gbps plan are supposed to be the same in terms of the Fibre Internet. They use the same network as per the reports here.

Starhub's plan is more worth it if you need the bundled contents. If not, just go with MR's plan.

 

[Singrish]

MR and Starhub 10Gbps plan are supposed to be the same in terms of the Fibre Internet. They use the same network as per the reports here.

Starhub's plan is more worth it if you need the bundled contents. If not, just go with MR's plan.

That’s what i figured but dunno leh if you read some other comments.

I guess its like m1 and starhub have a joint 5G venture and technically use the same network unlike singtel. But again from comments in the mobile forum, m1 5G seems to be crap compared to starhub 5G.

So likewise even though starhub now owns MR and both on same network maybe still got difference

 

[xiaofan]

That’s what i figured but dunno leh if you read some other comments.

I guess its like m1 and starhub have a joint 5G venture and technically use the same network unlike singtel. But again from comments in the mobile forum, m1 5G seems to be crap compared to starhub 5G.

So likewise even though starhub now owns MR and both on same network maybe still got difference

M1/Starhub 5G situation is a bit different -- both share the same lousy 5G infrastructure with not-so-good 5G coverage compared to Singtel 5G. So the difference is the fall-back 4G infrastructure.

From what I gathered in this forum, M1 4G is bad. So M1 5G users will have not good 4G fall-back and feel M1 5G is worse compared to Starhub 5G. But in reality both M1 and Starhub 5G are not good.

 

[Singrish]

My eventual plan when i jump on 10gbps bandwagon is to get two Asus BE98 to set up as AImesh.

10gbps switches are super expensive & considering the only wired hardware i anticipate having in a long time that requires 10gbps is my mac mini, would the following set up work?

I have ethernet ports in all my rooms. One unit BE98 in living room with the 10gbps WAN/LAN port connected to ONT and the 10gbps LAN port connected to the ethernet port that leads to my master bedroom where I’m placing the other BE98 as mesh node.

Master bedroom ethernet port connected to mesh node BE98’s 10gbps WAN/LAN port and my mac mini connected to the mesh node BE98’s 10 gbp LAN port.

Then for all my other wired hardware which doesn’t need 10gbps (smart TVs & IP cams), i just connect my existing 8-port 1 gbps switch to any of the 2.5 gbps LAN ports or the 10/100/1000 mbps LAN port on the main node BE98 in the living room.

Can boh?

 

[Singrish]

M1/Starhub 5G situation is a bit different -- both share the same lousy 5G infrastructure with not-so-good 5G coverage compared to Singtel 5G. So the difference is the fall-back 4G infrastructure.

From what I gathered in this forum, M1 4G is bad. So M1 5G users will have not good 4G fall-back and feel M1 5G is worse compared to Starhub 5G. But in reality both M1 and Starhub 5G are not good.

I get you but the reviews on MR forum page. LOL

 

[xiaofan]

My eventual plan when i jump on 10gbps bandwagon is to get two Asus BE98 to set up as AImesh.

10gbps switches are super expensive & considering the only wired hardware i anticipate having in a long time that requires 10gbps is my mac mini, would the following set up work?

I have ethernet ports in all my rooms. One unit BE98 in living room with the 10gbps WAN/LAN port connected to ONT and the 10gbps LAN port connected to the ethernet port that leads to my master bedroom where I’m placing the other BE98 as mesh node.

Master bedroom ethernet port connected to mesh node BE98’s 10gbps WAN/LAN port and my mac mini connected to the mesh node BE98’s 10 gbp LAN port.

Then for all my other wired hardware which doesn’t need 10gbps (smart TVs & IP cams), i just connect my existing 8-port 1 gbps switch to any of the 2.5 gbps LAN ports or the 10/100/1000 mbps LAN port on the main node BE98 in the living room.

Can boh?

Your plan should work, but you should not need two ROG GT-BE98 since you are using Ethernet Backhaul, rather you can use a cheaper one as the mesh node, for example, RT-BE96U which should be available soon.

 

[Singrish]

Your plan should work, but you should not need two ROG GT-BE98 since you are using Ethernet Backhaul, rather you can use a cheaper one as the mesh node, for example, RT-BE96U which should be available soon.

Hmm but according to reports including Dong Knows, apparently there are issues setting up AImesh if one router is dual band and the other is tri band. I assume same issues if one is tri and other is quad band?

 

[Nakedtoes]

Got mine BE550 few days ago... Wireless strength is as good as mine Asus Tx-Ax6000. However I thought my china phone (SD8 gen2) got support wifi 7.. But no.. Only wifi 6.. So after doing some speed testing to compare.. Likely will sell away.

 

[xiaofan]

For those who uses true WiFi 7 routers, what are your experiences with 6GHz band? Do you often use 6GHz band? How is the coverage compares to 5GHz?

Some estimations show that 6GHz may have about 75% of coverage compared to 5GHz.

I am not so sure about the situation in Singapore.

Take note the allowed RF output power of the new 6GHz band (250mW e.i.r.p.) is less than quite some of the DFS/TPC channels of the higher 5GHz bands (1000mW e.i.r.p. for 5470 MHz to 5725 MHz, CH96 to CH144; and 5725 to 5850 MHz, CH149 to CH 165 ). But it higher than the 200mW e.i.r.p for the DFS/TPC channels of the lower 5GHz band (5250MHz to 5350 MHz, CH52 to CH68).

IMDA SRD standard
https://www.imda.gov.sg/~/media/imd...unication standards/radio-comms/imdatssrd.pdf

Changes from previous version:
https://www.tuvsud.com/en-sg/e-ssen...ort-range-device-issue-1-revision-3-published

The main change in the revision is the approval of 6GHz band under this new specification.

The range of frequency allowed is 5.945 – 6.425 GHz.

Indoor < 250mW (e.i.r.p)
Outdoor < 25mW (e.i.r.p)