Side-by-Side Comparison
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 4 vs. Wi-Fi 6E
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Wi-Fi 4
Wi-Fi 6E
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 6E is an extension of the IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard into the unlicensed 6 GHz frequency band (5.925–7.125 GHz). It provides up to 1,200 MHz of additional contiguous spectrum, unlocking 14 extra 80 MHz or 7 extra 160 MHz channels completely free from legacy interference and radar DFS restrictions.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
IEEE Standard
|
IEEE 802.11n-2009 | IEEE 802.11ax-2021 (6 GHz Extension) |
|
Wi-Fi Generation
|
Wi-Fi 4 | Wi-Fi 6E |
|
Frequency Bands
|
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (Dual-Band) | 6 GHz (5.925 to 7.125 GHz in US; 5.945 to 6.425 GHz in EU) |
|
Max Theoretical PHY Rate
|
600 Mbps | 9.6 Gbps |
|
Ratification Year
|
2009 | — |
|
Max Channel Width
|
40 MHz | — |
|
Max Spatial Streams (MIMO)
|
4x4 | — |
|
Modulation Standard
|
64-QAM | — |
|
Guard Interval
|
400 ns (Short GI) / 800 ns (Standard) | — |
|
Available 6 GHz Spectrum (US)
|
— | 1200 MHz |
|
Available 6 GHz Spectrum (EU)
|
— | 480 MHz |
|
160 MHz Non-Overlapping Channels
|
— | Up to 7 (in 1200 MHz domains) |
|
DFS Radar Avoidance Requirement
|
— | None (Zero DFS in 6 GHz) |
|
Legacy Device Interference
|
— | None (6 GHz-only devices allowed) |