Wi-Fi 8 unveiled at CES 2026

Most households have not even made the switch yet. Wi-Fi 7, because at least for now it's not even necessary (I did it myself only recently), but network equipment manufacturers don't pay much attention to it. At CES 2026, we got the first devices with Wi-Fi 8, even though the standard isn't even finalized and certified yet.

Wi-Fi 8, which is expected to become part of the IEEE 802.11bn standard, is expected to bring more than just faster data transfers. Instead, it will focus on connection stability, energy efficiency, reduced latency, and better communication between devices, which should improve the experience for video streaming, gaming, and mobile scenarios where devices move or are located further away from the router.

One of the stars of the event was ASUS, which unveiled the ROG NeoCore concept router with no visible antennas. This futuristic model, with a unique, multi-sided design, promises the same speeds as Wi-Fi 7, but with improved throughput and lower latency, which should help make everyday networks smoother. The company plans to have its first Wi-Fi 8 products available this year.

Broadcom and MediaTek also showed their vision for the future of wireless networking, with Broadcom introducing new components including the BCM4918 APU and two next-generation dual-band radio chips aimed at the next generation of home routers and gateways for service providers.

Meanwhile, MediaTek has officially unveiled its Filogic 8000 family of chips, which are expected to power a wide range of devices, from smartphones and laptops to home and enterprise modules. According to the company, this platform will emphasize improved cooperation between access points, spectrum efficiency, and reliable operation in a high-device environment, which is extremely important for applications that require low latency, such as AR/VR and cloud gaming.

Despite industry enthusiasm, the IEEE 802.11bn standard is not yet fully ratified. Formal ratification is not expected until around 2028, so the first devices will be based on draft specifications and may be updated with software later.

Analysts believe that the early showing of Wi-Fi 8 equipment is a sign that manufacturers want to quickly capture a leading position in the upcoming segment of networking solutions, where reliability and responsiveness will become key in the era of artificial intelligence and connected devices.

• Wi-Fi 8 focuses on stability, efficiency, and low latency.
• ASUS has unveiled the ROG NeoCore router concept.
• Broadcom offers the first Wi-Fi 8 components for equipment manufacturers.
• MediaTek Filogic 8000 chips target a wide range of devices.
• The Wi-Fi 8 standard is expected to be completed by 2028.