The ultra-buzzed and much-awaited Wi-Fi 6E is finally here. It’s been just a year that Wi-Fi 6 was introduced, and here we have Wi-Fi 6E, the upcoming standard for an extension of Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 6E aims to reduce congestion and interference with the addition of more, wider, and non-overlapping channels. If you’re a tech-savvy who’s planning to buy a new smartphone, you would definitely look for the latest specifications. If we talk about Wi-Fi technology, Wi-Fi 6E is the latest version of wireless networking.
We’ve already shared complete details on Wi-Fi 6 and the compatible smartphones . Today, we’ll walk you through the list of Wi-Fi 6E compatible smartphones available in the market. Before we jump to the list, let’s get to know some important details regarding Wi-Fi 6E and what benefits this latest technology has to offer.
What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E, also known as Wi-Fi 6 Extended is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 that can operate in the 6 GHz band, in addition to the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radio bands. This new, 6 GHz band is the biggest spectrum addition to Wi-Fi since 1989, and it quadruples the total space available for routers and smart devices.
The 6 GHz band provides contiguous spectrum blocks to accommodate 14 channels in 80 MHz BW (Bandwidth) and 7 channels in 160 MHz BW for high-bandwidth data applications. These additional channels will help reduce congestion, especially in very dense or congested network environments. Therefore, Wi-Fi 6E offers faster speeds and low latencies as compared to the earlier versions of the Wi-Fi, including Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6E has the same specifications as Wi-Fi 6 but, with additional spectrum capabilities. Wi-Fi 6 can operate in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, whereas, Wi-Fi 6E can operate in 6 GHz radio bands as well. The 6GHz band has support for fourteen additional 80MHz and seven 160MHz channels, which will result in less overlapping between networks in congested areas like offices or apartments. The WiFi 6E devices can reap full benefits of the bandwidth, spectrum, and faster speeds of 6 GHz, but the Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices may experience slow down due to crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Besides, as Wi-Fi 6E supports more high-bandwidth channels, it will open more resources for AR gaming, 4K and 8K streaming, HD video conferencing, IoT (Internet Of Things), and more.
Putting in simpler words, Wi-Fi 6E is Wi-Fi 6 over 6 GHz.
Advantages of Wi-Fi 6E
We’ve summed up various advantages of Wi-Fi 6E below. Let’s have a look.
- Reduced Wi-Fi congestion
- Wider channels in 80MHz and 160MHz bandwidth
- The 6 GHz band offers an internet speed of more than 1Gbps
- Extremely low latency ( < 1 ms)
- Additional non-overlapping channels will increase wireless capacity
- Less interference
- Next-gen experiences with Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
- High-speed tethering
Is Wi-Fi 6 backward compatible?
Whenever a new technology is introduced, there comes an important question regarding its compatibility. Now, talking about this latest wireless technology, the Wi-Fi 6E enabled devices are compatible with Wi-Fi 6 as well as the previous versions. That means you can connect a WiFi 6E smartphone to a WiFi 6/5 router and vice versa. So, there’s no need to replace your existing WiFi routers in case you buy a WiFi 6E smartphone. But yes, if you wish to reap the full benefits of the 6GHz channels on your Wi-Fi 6E compatible phone, you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E router.
Here’s an example to make things more clear and easy to understand. Let’s say you’ve connected a bunch of Wi-Fi 6 smartphones to a Wi-Fi 6E router. In such a case, none of the smartphones will use Wi-Fi 6E. They all will use Wi-Fi 6 on 2.4Ghz or 5GHz channels.
Is Wi-Fi 6E hardware dependent?
Yes, Wi-Fi 6E is hardware-dependent. Therefore, to experience the benefits of the new 6GHz channels in the WiFi 6E Technology, it’s mandatory to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6E device. That means, if you want to enjoy a faster and much reliable Wi-Fi technology, you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E compatible smartphone and a WiFi 6E router. Various Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices have already started hitting the markets. We’ve mentioned a list of the Wi-Fi 6E compatible smartphones introduced so far, in the last section.
How to check if your smartphone is Wi-Fi 6E compatible?
It’s worth mentioning that there’s no direct method to check the supported Wi-Fi versions right from your smartphone’s settings. Therefore, you’ll have to search for the complete specifications of your smartphone to check if your phone is Wi-Fi 6E compatible or not.
You can look for your smartphone’s specifications through one of the following sources:
- Your phone manufacturer’s official website.
- Some popular platforms for smartphone specs like GSMArena.
- Google Search Engine Result Pages.
You can browse through the specifications to see if the smartphone supports Wi-Fi 6E or not. It’s important to know that sometimes, you may not see Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6, or Wi-Fi 5 labels. Rather, you would see the older, weird naming scheme that denotes the Wi-Fi version.
To make things simpler, here’s a list of the Wi-Fi versions along with their old and new names.
| Wi-Fi version | Old name | New name |
| First Generation | WiFi 802.11.b | WiFi 1 |
| Second Generation | WiFi 802.11.a | WiFi 2 |
| Third Generation | WiFi 802.11.g | WiFi 3 |
| Fourth Generation | WiFi 802.11.n | WiFi 4 |
| Fifth Generation | WiFi 802.11.ac | WiFi 5 |
| Sixth Generation | WiFi 802.11.ax | WiFi 6 |
Here comes another important thing. The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor is integrated with the new FastConnect 6900 System that has support for Wi-Fi 6E. That means, the smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset can take advantage of the 6GHz spectrum.
To know if a smartphone supports Wi-Fi 6E or not, follow the steps mentioned below. In this example, we’re checking the specifications of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
1. Head to gsmarena.com
2. Type S21 in the search box and select Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
3. Scroll down to the COMM/Network section.
4. You’ll see the supported Wi-Fi versions under the WLAN heading.
List of Wi-Fi 6E Compatible Smartphones in 2021
Right now, Wi-Fi 6E is in the early adoption stage and you may not see this technology available on a broad range of devices. Here’s the list of the Wi-Fi 6E compatible smartphones available in the market right now.
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Release date: January 14, 2021
Price: S21 Ultra- starts at $1,199
Samsung has recently launched its latest S21 Series- Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra on January 14, 2021. All three models of the S21 lineup are packed with 5G network support and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility. Talking about the maxed-out variant, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, it features some top-of-the-line specifications like support for the faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 6E. It’s truly a flagship smartphone that features a gorgeous 6.8” edge Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, the powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, tan all-new Contour Cut camera block, and an amazing quad-camera setup on its rear panel. There’s a 12MP Ultra-wide, a 108MP Wide, a 10MP f/2.4 Telephoto, and a 10MP f/4.9 Telephoto sensor. Plus, the Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone promises to deliver enhanced AF performance in close range and low-light environments with the Laser AF Sensor. The flagship packs a big, 5,000mAh battery with Fast Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare capabilities. However, the maximum charging capacity is reduced to 25W as compared to 45W in Galaxy S20 Ultra .
2. Xiaomi Mi 11
Release date: December 2020 (In China), February 2021 (Global launch)
Price: starts at $900
Xiaomi M1 is one of the first phones to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. This smartphone was first launched in China in December 2020, followed by a global launch in February 2021. It’s a premium smartphone that features a 6.81” AMOLED display with 1500 nits max brightness and HDR10+ support. The Snapdragon 888 processor brings Wi-Fi 6E compatibility onboard.
Xiaomi M 11 boasts a 108MP main snapper, paired with a 13MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 5MP telemacro sensor that’s perfect for taking close-up shots of distant objects. For selfies, the phone sports a 20MP front camera. Plus, the phone has got a 120Hz refresh rate and a whopping 480Hz Touch input rate that delivers responsive gameplay, making the phone an absolute treat for gamers. In terms of battery, there’s a 4,600mAh battery with 55W fast charging and 50W wireless charging support.
3. ASUS ROG Phone 5
Released date: April 2021
Price: £919.98
Asus had launched a spectacular gaming smartphone- ROG Phone 5 with some high-end specifications and gaming-centric features. The Asus ROG Phone 5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset that brings 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility. ASUS ROG Phone 5 sports a 6.78” FHD+ AMOLED screen with an eye-popping 144Hz refresh rate, 300Hz Touch Sampling rate, and HDR10+ support. There’s an AeroActive Cooler 5 clip-on fan that keeps the phone cool during peak performance and heaving gaming. Plus, the upgraded AirTrigger 5 Control System introduces intuitive gaming, where you can control the actions with your favorite gestures. There’s a monster 6,000mAh battery with QuickCharge 4.0 support.
One of the standout features of ASUS ROG Phone 5 is the integrated GameFX audio system. It incorporates symmetrical 7-magnet dual speakers that deliver an immersive sound experience while you’re playing games or watching movies.
4. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Released date: April 2021
Price: Rs 74,999
Joining the list of Wi-Fi 6e smartphones is the maxed-out variant of the Xiaomi Mi 11 that we’ve mentioned above. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra features a 6.81” AMOLED screen with a stunning 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, 1700 nits peak brightness, and Dolby Vision support. Plus, the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 platform makes the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra an all-rounder with 5G networks and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility. There’s a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP wide, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP periscope telephoto sensor. For selfies, there’s a 20MP front camera.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra packs a big 5,000 mAH battery with 67W fast, 67W fast wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging support. You can grab this Wi-Fi 6e phone in Ceramic White and Ceramic Black finishes.
5. ASUS Zenfone 8 and 8 Flip
Release date: May 2021
Price: Zenfone 8 starts at $629 and 8 Flip at £799
ASUS Zenfone 8 and 8 Flip are Wi-Fi 6e compatible smartphones that are powered by the latest Snapdragon 888 5G chipset. Zenfone 8 features a 5.9” Super AMOLED 120Hz display, IP68 dust & water resistance, and HDR10+ certification. There’s a dual-camera setup on the rear panel housing a 64MP primary shooter and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. You can shoot [email protected] and [email protected] videos with this amazing Wi-Fi 6e smartphone.
The Zenfone 8 Flip boasts a bigger 6.67” Super AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ certification. It rocks a triple rear camera setup with a 64MP main snapper paired with a 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP telephoto sensor. One of the eye-catching features of the Zenfone 8 Pro is a motorized flip-up camera module with auto panorama mode. You can shoot [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] videos.
ASUS Zenfone 8 packs a 4,000mAh battery, whereas the 8 Flip boasts a bigger, 5,000mAh battery.
Check Zenfone 8 on Amazon(US/UK)
Check Zenfone 8 Flip on Amazon(US/UK)
6. ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate
Released date: June 2021
Price: £1,299
ASUS ROG Phone 5 Ultimate is a high-end gaming smartphone that features a stunning 6.78” AMOLED screen, HDR10+ certification, and 1200 nits of brightness. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, ASUS ROG Phone 5 marks its entry in the list of rare Wi-Fi 6e smartphones available in the markets right now. The industry-leading 300Hz touch sampling rate, 144Hz refresh rate, always-on HDR, and ultra-low 24.3ms touch latency gives you a super-smooth gaming experience.
This Wi-Fi 6e smartphone packs a monstrous 6,00mAH battery with a 65W HyperCharge adapter. One of the most unique features of this Wi-Fi 6e phone is the side-mounted charging that keeps the cables out of your way while you’re into an intense gaming session. There’s a triple camera setup on the rear panel, boasting a flagship Sony MX686 64 MP main wide-angle, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro sensor. Just like the ASUS Rog Phone 5, there’s a built-in GameFX audio system for rich and clear sound.
Apart from these ASUS smartphones, the upcoming ROG 5s and 5s Pro will also make it to the list of Wi-Fi 6e compatible phones. These models are announced recently and are expected to release in the last quarter of this year.
7. Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
Announced date: August 11, 2021
Price: $1,799
Here comes the latest foldable smartphone by Samsung, Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G that packs future-proof specifications like 5G support and Wi-Fi 6e compatibility. This foldable smartphone features a stunning design with an IPX8 rating for dust and water resistance. Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G sports a 6.2-inch AMOLED 2X front cover display (2268 x 832 pixels) and a massive 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen (2208 x 1768). Impressively, both Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G displays come with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ certification. This Wi-Fi 6e compatible smartphone is powered by the advanced Snapdragon 888 chipset.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G features a triple rear camera setup of 12 MP ultrawide, 12 MP wide-angle, and 12 MP telephoto sensor. It packs a 4,400 mAH battery with 25W fast-charging and 11W fast wireless charging capabilities. There are integrated Dolby Atmos Stereo speakers for rich, clear, and immersive sound.
Don’t miss our roundups of the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G cases and accessories .
8. iPhone 13 Series (Rumored)
Apple had launched its first lineup of the Wi-Fi 6 compatible phones with the iPhone 11 Series. All the models of the iPhone 11 lineup- iPhone 11, 11 Pro , and 11 Pro Max were introduced with Wi-Fi 6 compatibility. The latest Apple flagship, the iPhone 12 Series- iPhone 12 , 12 Mini , 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max are packed with a 5G network and the standard Wi-Fi 6 support. Also, the second-generation iPhone SE has made it to the list of Wi-Fi 6 compatible phones.
The iPhone 13 Series is rumored to get Wi-Fi 6E support. We’ll have to wait for a little while to get the first look at the iPhone 13 lineup design and exact specifications.
These were the Wi-Fi 6E smartphones that have been introduced so far.
Apart from these Snapdragon 888 powered and Wi-Fi 6E compatible smartphones, there are some upcoming phones that are rumored to bring Wi-Fi 6e to their users. It would be interesting to see more Wi-Fi 6E smartphones in the coming few months. We’ll update the list as soon as we spot any Wi-Fi 6E compatible smartphone on the market. So, make sure to bookmark this page.
You would have noticed that right now, this latest technology is available only on smartphones with a pretty hefty price tag. We hope to see more Wi-Fi 6E phones by the end of 2021 or early 2022. However, we would have to wait for some time to experience this faster and more reliable Wi-Fi technology on budget-friendly smartphones.
Don’t forget to share your reviews on this latest Wi-Fi 6E technology.
