Key Points
- Wi-Fi 7 access point prices are currently lower than previous Wi-Fi generations, making it an ideal time for upgrades
- Regional competition, especially from Chinese vendors, and strategic pricing by major brands like Cisco have kept costs down
- Price increases and hardware shortages are expected soon, so organizations should act quickly on upgrades
Wi-Fi 7 adoption is accelerating as enterprises look to take advantage of its advanced features like multi-link operation and AI-powered management tools. According to Dell’Oro Group’s latest research, the timing is particularly favorable because pricing for Wi-Fi 7 equipment is currently lower than what was seen during previous wireless technology transitions.
The average selling price for Wi-Fi 7 indoor access points has remained below that of Wi-Fi 6 or 6E since the technology launched 10 quarters ago. This pricing trend is unusual for a new technology generation and creates an attractive opportunity for organizations considering network upgrades.
Several factors have contributed to these lower prices. Chinese technology companies including Huawei and H3C began shipping Wi-Fi 7 equipment in regions like Latin America and Europe up to a year before North American vendors entered the market. Their early presence helped establish lower price points globally, forcing competitors to match those prices when they launched their own products.
Cisco took a particularly strategic approach by deliberately setting Wi-Fi 7 prices close to their Wi-Fi 6E equivalents, with minimal premium. "Cisco had a deliberate strategy of introducing Wi-Fi 7 at similar prices to the older 6 or 6E technology, with very little premium for the new technology, and that has really helped to keep the price low," said Siân Morgan, research director at Dell’Oro Group.
The hardware design also plays a role. Some Wi-Fi 7 access points feature only two radios instead of the three typically found in Wi-Fi 6 models, which reduces manufacturing costs. Additionally, vendors are offering a wider range of Wi-Fi 7 models at different price points, with entry-level options helping to pull down the overall average price.
However, organizations shouldn’t delay upgrades waiting for better deals. The market research indicates that price increases are already beginning, driven by memory chip shortages affecting wireless equipment manufacturers. "Vendors have already started to raise list prices, even though it’s been in the few percentage points so far," Morgan noted. "We expect further price hikes over the next year."
The technological advantages of Wi-Fi 7 extend beyond just competitive pricing. The standard’s multi-link operation capability allows devices to simultaneously use multiple frequency bands, reducing congestion and improving reliability. This is particularly valuable given how crowded the traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands have become in enterprise environments.
The 6 GHz band, while available with Wi-Fi 6E, can now be used more effectively with Wi-Fi 7’s ability to combine it with other bands. "To be able to have devices access this new band that isn’t being used by wireless LAN at all today, or very little, really is going to improve the quality of the connection," Morgan explained.
AI-powered network management tools represent another compelling reason for upgrade. These features help automate network operations and maintenance, reducing operational costs. "I expect 2026 is going to be the year enterprises can really prove the return on investment on AIOps features," Morgan predicted.
With price increases on the horizon and supply chain uncertainties affecting lead times, organizations evaluating Wi-Fi 7 upgrades should act promptly while current pricing remains favorable. The combination of competitive pricing and advanced capabilities makes this an opportune moment to modernize enterprise wireless infrastructure.
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