TP-Link Launches the $99 Archer BE3600 WiFi 7 Router

[Dr. Dro]

WiFi 7 is not yet ratified, and even the manual for this router states:



Since it's an access point available in the US it's got mandatory FCC testing results which include internal photos. Looks like it's a Broadcom BCM6764 which might be a lower cost version of Broadcom BCM6765.

Wi-Fi Certified 7 program has been running since January, though. Specifications should be complete, on the technical side at least. My new motherboard (a ROG Z790) is already labeled WiFi 7

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7

Driving the next level of Wi-Fi® performance Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ is here to meet the growing user demands for immersive, interactive technology. Based on IEEE 802.11be technology, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 enhances Wi-Fi performance in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, bringing cutting-edge...

www.wi-fi.org

That's the problem, as soon as Asus makes a product EOL, they stop doing GPL software and Merlin can no longer support them.

After the disaster with the TP-Link Archer routers logging everything you do and every single page you visit and sending them to antivirus companies regardless of you disabling the HomeCare feature or not, I put my AC68U back in service. Turns out ASUS is still actively maintaining it, a new update was released in April

RT-AC68U - Support

www.asus.com

I'm probably never gonna buy another TP-Link router, even if they fixed this problem in the newer ones. ASUS on the other hand... yeah I'll keep paying their tax I guess.

 

[ikjadoon]

Wi-Fi Certified 7 program has been running since January, though. Specifications should be complete, on the technical side at least. My new motherboard (a ROG Z790) is already labeled WiFi 7

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7

Driving the next level of Wi-Fi® performance Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ is here to meet the growing user demands for immersive, interactive technology. Based on IEEE 802.11be technology, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 enhances Wi-Fi performance in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, bringing cutting-edge...

www.wi-fi.org

..

I'm probably never gonna buy another TP-Link router, even if they fixed this problem in the newer ones. ASUS on the other hand... yeah I'll keep paying their tax I guess.

The Wi-Fi Alliance is the non-technical side, to clarify. The IEEE certifies the technical side and 802.11be (as Wi-Fi 7 is known) is still on Draft 6.0 as of July 2024. Final approval is estimated around September 2024, but it can be delayed further.

https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm (CTRL+F IEEE Std P802.11be).

Next is Wi-Fi 7 Release 2; some Wi-Fi 7 features are not expected with this year's final specification and will release closer to 2026. I need to find the list again, but even some of those were postponed to Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn), like Advanced AP coordination.

So technically, while pre-IEEE-ratification Wi-Fi devices are not labelled as "Draft" as often these, Wi-Fi 7 APs & clients that have already released are based on the IEEE drafts.

 

[Dr. Dro]

The Wi-Fi Alliance is the non-technical side, to clarify. The IEEE certifies the technical side and 802.11be (as Wi-Fi 7 is known) is still on Draft 6.0 as of July 2024. Final approval is estimated around September 2024, but it can be delayed further.

https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm (CTRL+F IEEE Std P802.11be).

Next is Wi-Fi 7 Release 2; some Wi-Fi 7 features are not expected with this year's final specification and will release closer to 2026. I need to find the list again, but even some of those were postponed to Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn), like Advanced AP coordination.

So technically, while pre-IEEE-ratification Wi-Fi devices are not labelled as "Draft" as often these, Wi-Fi 7 APs & clients that have already released are based on the IEEE drafts.

Nice. Wi-Fi is progressing fast

 

[starfals]

Their 100 bucks Archer Wi-Fi 6 is really fast, really stable, really cool (as in cold). I have never been so impressed by any WIFI machine before. If this one is of similar quality, ill buy it.

 

[kondamin]

What happens to mlo when older devices are on the network?

 

[ARF]

Their 100 bucks Archer Wi-Fi 6 is really fast, really stable, really cool (as in cold). I have never been so impressed by any WIFI machine before. If this one is of similar quality, ill buy it.

Probably you haven't used the Tenda AC9 AC1200 or Tenda RX9 PRO AX3000. The best brand from China.