Apple has officially unveiled its latest lineup of devices, including the new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro, all powered by the more advanced M4 series chips. These new products bring exciting upgrades such as the introduction of Thunderbolt 5 interface and nanometer technology, alongside textured screen options on certain models. However, there’s one noticeable feature missing—Wi-Fi 7 support. Despite expectations, the M4 series Macs continue to rely on Wi-Fi 6E technology.
Why Apple’s M4 Mac Series Sticks with Wi-Fi 6E
While Wi-Fi 6E enables the new M4 Macs to connect to the 6GHz band on supported routers, it’s not the most cutting-edge wireless standard available today. Wi-Fi 7, which boasts even faster speeds and better performance, is the latest advancement in wireless technology. Surprisingly, Apple has chosen not to include Wi-Fi 7 in the M4 series, instead sticking with the older Wi-Fi 6E standard.
Interestingly, the iPhone 16 series, launched earlier this year, was the first Apple product to integrate Wi-Fi 7 support, equipped with a Broadcom chip supporting the latest 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 standard. This gives iPhone 16 users access to faster data transfer rates and a better overall wireless experience.
How Wi-Fi 7 Enhances User Experience
Wi-Fi 7 supports faster data rates and larger channel bandwidths. The iPhone 16’s Wi-Fi 7 chip can reach a maximum transfer rate of 2400Mb/s, with a bandwidth of 160MHz, matching the performance of the Wi-Fi 6E-equipped M3 Macs. However, Wi-Fi 7 can go beyond this, supporting a channel bandwidth of up to 320MHz, which allows for even faster data transfers.
Additionally, the iPhone 16 series supports multi-link operation (MLO), enabling the device to connect to multiple frequency bands simultaneously. This feature reduces latency, boosts data transmission speeds, and enhances the overall connectivity experience for gaming, streaming, and video conferencing.
Will Future M4 Macs Support Wi-Fi 7?
While the current M4 Mac models lack Wi-Fi 7, there’s potential for future upgrades. It’s possible that higher-end M4 models like the M4 Pro or M4 Max will introduce Wi-Fi 7 with no bandwidth limitations, unlocking the full potential of the latest wireless standard. Apple may be reserving this feature for more premium models in the near future, but for now, users of M4 Macs will have to make do with Wi-Fi 6E.
What Does This Mean for Users?
For most users, the lack of Wi-Fi 7 in the M4 series Macs may not be a dealbreaker at the moment, as Wi-Fi 6E still provides excellent connectivity speeds. However, as more devices and networks adopt Wi-Fi 7, this decision could have longer-term implications. Wi-Fi 7’s MLO functionality could become increasingly important in the coming years, offering smoother experiences for applications requiring low latency, such as online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming.
Considering that Macs are often used for many years, it’s a bit surprising that Apple hasn’t made Wi-Fi 7 support a priority in its new M4 lineup, especially when looking ahead to future network upgrades.
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