Have you ever wondered what the 6 means when it appears next to the Wi-fi icon? Weirdly, the number sometimes disappears depending on the connected Wi-Fi network. So what exactly is causing this and how does it affect your smartphone?
What is Wi-Fi 6 and why is it better?
The tiny number that appears when you connect to a Wi-Fi network basically shows that the Wi-Fi network is using the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, known as Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, designed to improve upon the previous generation (Wi-Fi 5, also known as 802.11ac) in several ways. Some of the key benefits of Wi-Fi 6 include faster speeds, greater capacity, and improved efficiency, particularly in crowded environments with many connected devices.
Wi-Fi 6 also includes new features like OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) and MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output) that help to improve performance and efficiency. Overall, Wi-Fi 6 is designed to provide a better, faster, and more reliable experience for users of Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Is there Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 is on the horizon, with a potential release expected in 2024. In fact, we might even see devices adopting this standard as early as late 2023.
Should you upgrade to Wi-Fi 6?
Whether or not you should upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 depends on a few factors, including the devices you have and how you use them. If you have Wi-Fi-enabled devices that support Wi-Fi 6, such as smartphones, laptops, or smart home devices, then upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router may improve your overall experience. However, if all of your devices are older and do not support Wi-Fi 6, then upgrading your router may not provide any benefits.
If you’re interested in buying a WiFi 6 router, check out this ASUS RT-AX1800S router that is currently on sale for $68.15 (this price is not fixed). You can also find more options for less than $100 on Amazon. Click this link to view.
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