Side-by-Side Comparison
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 4 vs. Wi-Fi 6
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Wi-Fi 4
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11n) was ratified in 2009, introducing Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) spatial streaming and optional 40 MHz channel bonding across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, achieving maximum theoretical physical link rates up to 600 Mbps.
Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) was ratified in 2021, operating across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Engineered for high-density network efficiency, it introduced Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), bi-directional MU-MIMO, 1024-QAM, and Target Wake Time (TWT), reaching physical rates up to 9.6 Gbps.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
IEEE Standard
|
IEEE 802.11n-2009 | IEEE 802.11ax-2021 |
|
Wi-Fi Generation
|
Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 6 |
|
Ratification Year
|
2009 | 2021 |
|
Frequency Bands
|
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (Dual-Band) | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz |
|
Max Channel Width
|
40 MHz | 160 MHz |
|
Max Theoretical PHY Rate
|
600 Mbps | 9.6 Gbps |
|
Modulation Standard
|
64-QAM | 1024-QAM |
|
Max Spatial Streams (MIMO)
|
4x4 | — |
|
Guard Interval
|
400 ns (Short GI) / 800 ns (Standard) | — |
|
Typical Client PHY Rate (2x2)
|
— | 2.4 Gbps |
|
Multiple Access Technology
|
— | OFDMA (Uplink and Downlink) |
|
Multi-User MIMO
|
— | Bi-directional (DL and UL MU-MIMO up to 8x8) |
|
Power Saving Feature
|
— | Target Wake Time (TWT) |