Wi-Fi 8 unveiled at CES 2026: What is it and why should you skip a Wi-Fi 7 router upgrade for now

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• Wi-Fi 8 routers showcased at CES 2026, promising better efficiency and stability
• Wi-Fi 8 boosts connectivity, reduces dropouts, and enhances peer-to-peer links.
• Asus, Broadcom, and MediaTek unveiled Wi-Fi 8 products and chips at the event

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The ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 has seen a lot of innovations, with futuristic AI-focused technology, groundbreaking humanoid robots, unique TV displays, and much more. However, out of nowhere, Wi-Fi 8 routers have also been showcased in the event, only a couple of years after Wi-Fi 7 debuted. Although Wi-Fi 8 is yet to receive the standard approval by the Wi-Fi Alliance, early demos and product teasers promise that Wi-Fi 8 matches Wi-Fi 7’s top speeds, but with better power efficiency and improved connectivity.

Wi-Fi 8: Features, key upgrades and more

As per a report by The Verge, Wi-Fi 8 promises improved stability over previous wireless internet connectivity standards, with improved power efficiency, better connectivity stability, and superior peer-to-peer communication between devices. It also aims to maintain fast, stable connections even when users are further away from their router, allowing for fewer dropouts.

For most people, all these perks mean that Wi-Fi 8 could be worth the wait, with brands finalising Wi-Fi 8 routers as soon as late 2028. For those who are still on Wi-Fi 5 or 6, Wi-Fi 7, with its improved speeds and reduced latency, will still be a big leap. However, for someone who is planning to buy an expensive Wi-Fi 7 router in the coming months, it may be wiser to wait for Wi-Fi 8, considering the advantages it provides.

At CES 2026, Asus was the first company to showcase the ROG NeoCore Wi-Fi 8 router, promising Wi-Fi 7-like speeds with less lag and improved speeds in crowded networks. Broadcom has also unveiled the BCM4918 APU and dual-band radios BCM6714 and BCM6719, which are designed for use in residential Wi-Fi 8 routers and gateways. Meanwhile, MediaTek announced its Filogic 8000 family of Wi-Fi 8 chips, which focuses on reliable, low-latency wireless connectivity across gateways and client devices, including AI-driven scenarios.