When customers plan a WiFi upgrade, they need to balance performance requirements, lifecycle expectations, return on investment, and budget. Until recently, that often meant weighing the benefits of WiFi 7 against the lower cost of WiFi 6. However, as pricing continues to converge and the wireless market evolves, that decision is becoming less straightforward.
► The price gap between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 is continuing to narrow.
► Lifecycle and future requirements are playing a bigger role in wireless upgrade decisions.
For many organisations, WiFi 6 remains a viable option and can still provide all the performance they need. However, as the cost differential between the two technologies reduces and manufacturers increasingly focus on the latest standards, WiFi 7 is becoming a more attractive long-term investment for many customers.
Cisco Meraki, for example, is set to discontinue its WiFi 6 range at the end of 2026 and focus on WiFi 7 going forward. While existing WiFi 6 deployments will continue to be supported throughout their lifecycle, the shift reflects growing momentum behind the latest wireless standard.
Nicola Jesus Lanz Manna, Cisco Business Development Executive, Enterprise Networking / DC, Cloud & AI at TD SYNNEX, said: "We're providing both WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 options, so that partners can help customers can make an informed decision based on cost, lifecycle expectations, and future requirements. WiFi 6 is still a perfectly viable choice for SMBs that do not need to support high-density environments, but as prices between the two technologies get close and as the balance of availability begins to shift towards WiFi 7 access points, it makes sense in most cases, for customers to adopt the latest version of the standard."
As prices continue to align, more customers may find that WiFi 7 offers the best balance of performance, longevity, and value. However, every environment is different, and the right choice will depend on individual business requirements, budgets, and long-term technology plans.
The TD SYNNEX Cisco team can help partners support customers in making informed decisions about wireless and network infrastructure upgrades.
