(Credit: Apple)
Along with new hardware features and software, Apple’s iPhone 16 models will also adopt a cutting-edge spec found in other flagship phones: Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-Fi 7, which promises to deliver faster speeds for wireless home internet, wasn’t really discussed during Monday’s "Glowtime" event. But Apple briefly teased the capability in slides cataloging the various features coming to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro.
(Credit: Apple)The company’s spec sheets have since confirmed Wi-Fi 7, also known as 802.11be, will be supported on all four iPhone models introduced today—so long as the products are released in markets that support the Wi-Fi 7 standard, according to a footnote on the spec sheets.
(Credit: Apple)As a result, iPhone 16 smartphones sold in the US should support it. In January, the US-based Wi-Fi Alliance made the Wi-Fi 7 standard official, which will help is adoption across the industry.
Other flagship phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S24+ and the OnePlus 11 5G, also support Wi-Fi 7. But you’ll only get the speed upgrade if you subscribe to a fast enough internet service provider and own a Wi-Fi 7 router. According to our reviews, some of today's Wi-Fi 7 routers offer wireless speeds at 2Gbps to 3Gbps, depending on your device's proximity.
On the downside, Wi-Fi 7 routers can cost $300 or more. But as the wireless technology spreads and becomes more affordable, iPhone 16 owners will be happy to know their product is future-proofed to support the standard.
Still, Apple cut some corners in other areas. Most notably, the regular iPhone 16 still only supports USB 2 speeds on its USB port — something the company refused to change from last year’s iPhone 15 model. To get USB 3 speeds, customers will need to opt for the iPhone 16 Pro model, and also buy a USB 3 cable since it doesn’t appear Apple will bundle it for free.