Apple hasn't added Wi-Fi 7 support to new Mac models with M4 chips

By: Nastya Bobkova | 31.10.2024, 00:41

Apple has introduced new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro models equipped with powerful M4 chips, Thunderbolt 5, and nanotextured displays. However, despite the updates, the new computers do not support the latest Wi-Fi 7 specification.

Here's What We Know

All new Macs with M4 chips continue to run on Wi-Fi 6E, which provides access to the 6 GHz band, provided that the appropriate routers are available.

The new iPhone 16 models, which were introduced earlier in September, are already equipped with Wi-Fi 7 chips from Broadcom that support the 802.11be standard with a maximum data rate of 2400 Mbps.

It remains unclear why Apple has not included Wi-Fi 7 support in the new Mac models, as it could significantly improve performance on modern networks. Although the iPhone 16 chips can support Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for simultaneous connection to multiple bands, Macs remain limited in their functionality.

Customers looking to buy a new Mac with an M4 chip should be aware that these models do not support Wi-Fi 7. This means that data transfer speeds will be slower and latency will be higher than devices that use the new technology.

Source: MacRumors