Unlike iPhone 16 Models, Apple's Newest Macs Lack Wi-Fi 7 Support

[MacRumors]

Apple introduced new MacBook Air and Mac Studio models this week, adding faster and more efficient M4 and M3 Ultra chips, along with some other updates like Thunderbolt 5 ports for the Mac Studio. One upgrade we have not seen though is support for the latest Wi-Fi specification, Wi-Fi 7.

Both the new M4 MacBook Air and Mac Studio models continue to offer Wi-Fi 6E. While it does offer access to the 6GHz band on supported Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers, it's not the latest or fastest technology.

Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be, promises theoretical speeds up to four times faster than its predecessor, as well as reduced latency and improved handling of multiple device connections. Its standout feature is Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which can combine several frequencies across different bands into a single connection for potentially better performance and stability.

Apple's decision not to equip the new Macs with Wi-Fi 7 isn't completely unexpected, given that the MacBook Pro models with M4 chips launched last year also do not feature Wi-Fi 7 support. Still, it's an odd decision when you consider that all iPhone 16 models released in September include Wi-Fi 7 chips from Broadcom.

That said, the current reality of Wi-Fi 7 adoption makes its absence in Apple's new Macs less significant. Yes, the iPhone 16 series includes Wi-Fi 7 support, but Apple has limited its implementation to the 160MHz bandwidth instead of the full 320MHz that the standard allows. In other words, iPhone 16 models aren't taking full advantage of Wi-Fi 7's potential speed improvements.

The existing Wi-Fi 6E support in M4 Macs already provides access to the less congested 6GHz band, offering solid performance for current networking needs. Granted, Wi-Fi 7 could have provided some future-proofing for Mac buyers, but its practical benefits won't be widely accessible for some time.

In sum, for most Mac users, the absence of Wi-Fi 7 shouldn't be a deciding factor when considering an M4 Mac purchase. The technology remains in its early stages, and Wi-Fi 6E continues to offer robust performance for typical computing tasks, including video conferencing, cloud gaming, and high-resolution streaming.

Article Link: Unlike iPhone 16 Models, Apple's Newest Macs Lack Wi-Fi 7 Support

 

[bviktor]

Welp, as long as a WiFi 7 router costs more than a Macbook, it's still kinda okay lol

 

[BelgianChoklit]

I find this totally acceptable. When looking for stuff to save money on, the wifi chip would be the first thing I’d save money on. Wifi 6E is great and even if it had been wifi 6 it would have been acceptable. The iPad 11th gen and m4 macbook Air air the 2 biggest bargains in Apple’s product line-up.

 

[Marty80]

News flash 2025 macbook pro lineup will feature Wifi 7.

 

[tomtad]

Anyone really bothered?

And presumably with the Studio you’ll be using Ethernet if you need a speedy network

 

[pelowj]

WiFi 7 is the deciding factor for me. Our office is fully equipped with WiFi 7 now, and when it comes to Apple Silicon, my M1 is already more than fast enough for my needs. A processor bump won't make me upgrade on its own.

 

[gsmornot]

Here I am, still happily using my AirPort Extreme routers. Yes, I know the world has moved on but I manage based on our needs and so far, we have not needed more. My connection is 500Mb which AC is fine for and anything that would transfer larger files is cable connected. I know I am not the typical user but, the lack of WiFi 7 is fine.

 

[McWetty]

WiFi 7 would have been nice, but not a deal breaker that it’s missing. I try to use Ethernet whenever possible.

 

[Mazda 3s]

Welp, as long as a WiFi 7 router costs more than a Macbook, it's still kinda okay lol

Uhh, dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers are $99

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Dual-Band-Archer-BE230-HomeShield/dp/B0DC99N2T8/

A tri-band, full-spec Wi-Fi 7 router is $199

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Tri-Band-Archer-BE550-HomeShield/dp/B0CJSNSVMR/

 

[flybass]

Not a deal breaker, but annoying from a future proofing perspective. Just another way Apple is spitting on mother nature’s face.

 

[Belisama]

Do we know approximately what % of users have access to a Wi-Fi 7 network ?
As far as I'm concerned, I don't even have 6E yet and I do not have any connection issue. I have no doubt that 7 is better, but why would I upgrade?
At home (3000 sq.ft.) we can run simultaneous "zoom" meetings, stream music and 4K videos, play online etc etc with 5-year old routers.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Welp, as long as a WiFi 7 router costs more than a Macbook, it's still kinda okay lol

Yeah this generation of wireless has not gone the way I expected. It seemed like 6E was destined to be a dead-end stopgap, almost pointless with 7 already making substantial improvements and seemingly right around the corner.

But then nobody released hardware with 7 interface cards, and nobody released any 7 (and hardly any 6E) APs, and then a few companies did and yeah they are insanely expensive.

Not sure what happened here. I would like to hold out for a MacBook with it just for the future proofing.

 

[macfacts]

Anyone really bothered?

And presumably with the Studio you’ll be using Ethernet if you need a speedy network

The problem is apple is going to charge you a premium price as if it did have it but not give you it. And you need a USB c Ethernet dongle for the laptops.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Anyone really bothered?

And presumably with the Studio you’ll be using Ethernet if you need a speedy network

Naa; I just upgraded my wifi to 6 last year..from 802.11n. My house isn't close enough to any other houses for their wifi to interfere with mine, so 7 doesn't really matter.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Do we know approximately what % of users have access to a Wi-Fi 7 network ?
As far as I'm concerned, I don't even have 6E yet and I do not have any connection issue. I have no doubt that 7 is better, but why would I upgrade?
At home (300 sq.ft.) we can run simultaneous "zoom" meetings, stream music and 4K videos, play online etc etc with 5-year old routers.

It's not really a huge benefit for home networks. It's more beneficial in heavily congested areas.

Wifi has always been a chicken egg problem of wireless cards vs APs. Usually the APs come first, but that's taking a while this time. At least for the prices to come down to what people have come to expect.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Apple probably wants to boast it’s own custom made WiFi 7 chip when it debuts in the iPhone 7 series later this year. The chip will be specifically designed for Apple products which will allow high efficiency and very good battery 🔋 life in Apple products.

 

[Kay_Ess]

If the problem persists, reaching out to Ubisoft Support can provide more personalized assistance

 

[green_diyos]

WiFi 7 is the deciding factor for me. Our office is fully equipped with WiFi 7 now, and when it comes to Apple Silicon, my M1 is already more than fast enough for my needs. A processor bump won't make me upgrade on its own.

I dont know if you're trolling... or whichever.

Deciding factor to move from a 2012 iMac 27" to a iMac is a 27" or larger display.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Uhh, dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers are $99

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Dual-Band-Archer-BE230-HomeShield/dp/B0DC99N2T8/

A tri-band, full-spec Wi-Fi 7 router is $199

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Tri-Band-Archer-BE550-HomeShield/dp/B0CJSNSVMR/

Wi-fi 7 mesh routers are much more pricy. I have to have three access points to cover my house, and then I have another in the garage.

Plus my current wifi 6 APs handle everything just fine.

 

[lkrupp]

" While it does offer access to the 6GHz band on supported Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers, it's not the latest or fastest technology."

And that’s all the techie wannabes care about. The real market couldn’t care less. Okay then rage on techies.

 

[Rychiar]

Wi-fi 7 mesh routers are much more pricy. I have to have three access points to cover my house, and then I have another in the garage.

I got decos last summer on prime day. they had all sorts of deals

 

[Orange Bat]

On lower-end Macs like the Airs, it’s perfectly acceptable. But on the higher end Studios, they should be wifi 7. Those are supposed to be the best Macs one can buy, but they don’t offer the latest technologies? Not even in the M3 Ultra model that STARTS at $3,999? Not even an extra $500 for the option? That’s pretty lame, and for some could be unacceptable. Apple just makes no sense nowadays.

 

[Rychiar]

Of course Apple always has to leave something out on purpose so they can sell ya the next one. it's getting ridiculous. If I'm gonna buy a new high end machine I want at least Thunderbolt 5 AND wifi 7. hoping we get that next year along with bluetooth 6, then we should be set on standards for awhile.

 

[dizmonk]

Welp, as long as a WiFi 7 router costs more than a Macbook, it's still kinda okay lol

I'm not sure what you're looking at but I've gotten mine for less than $250.

 

[cdsapplefan]

News flash 2025 macbook pro lineup will feature Wifi 7.

Yes it will be Apple’s custom designed WiFi 7 chip that will debut in the iPhone 17 series later this year. The 2025 MacBook Pro 💻 should get it too. Kuo said the 2026 MacBook Pro 💻 will be redesigned and thinner and that one probably certainly will have Apple’s new WiFi 7 chip.