WIFI Speed Differences
Distinguishing between what devices might slow down your upload and download speeds can be difficult. Most devices have their connectivity listed in their manuals. Below you will see the difference between devices as technology has evolved. For some devices you may see that the WIFI connectivity stays similar for multiple models, this shows that WIFI had not changed much between those models.
When deciphering the WIFI versions, you can look at the number 802.11 as the foundation and each letter as a building block or change after that. WIFI 6 went live in 2019, you will see changes in models around that time and in the following years. Lifewire's article gives a detailed breakdown of what each version of 802.11 is and can do.
The order of progression you will typically see (oldest to newest) is
Below is a list of popular devices and their bandwidth capabilities. See what your favorite device can (or can't) do.
Apple Products
iPhone: 802.11b/g (20 Mbps)
iPhone 3g and 3gs: 802.11b/g (20 Mbps)
iPhone 4: 802.11b/g (20 Mbps)
iPhone 4s: 802.11b/g/n (100 Mbps)
iPhone 5: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
iPhone 5s: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
iPhone 6: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iPhone 6s & 6s Plus: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iPhone SE (first gen): 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iphone 7 and 7 Plus: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iphone 8 and 8 Plus: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iPhone X: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iphone 11: 802.11ax (2 Gbps)
iphone 12: 802.11ax (2 Gbps)
iPad 1st gen: 802.11a/b/g/n (100Mbps)
iPad 5th gen: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iPad Air 1st gen: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
iPad Air 4th gen: 802.11ax (add speed cap)
iPad Mini 1st gen: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
iPad Mini 4th gen: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iPad Mini 5th gen: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
iPad Pro 1st gen: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
iPad Pro 4th gen: 802.11ax (2 Gbps)
iPad air 4th gen: 802.11ax (2 Gbps)
iPad 5th gen: 802.11ax (2 Gbps)
MacBook 2010: 802.11a/b/g (20 Mbps)
MacBook Air 2017: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
MacBook Pro 2020: 802.11ax (2 Gbps)
Android/Other Products
Galaxy S: 802.11b/g/n (100 Mbps)
Galaxy S4: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
Galaxy S5: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
Galaxy S7: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
Galaxy S9: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
Galaxy S10: 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax (2 Gbps)
Galaxy S20: 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax (2 Gbps)
Galaxy S21: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2 Gbps)
Galaxy Tab E: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
Galaxy Tab S3: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2 Gbps)
Kindle 4,5, Touch, 7, Paperwhite, Voyage, Oasis 1,2,3:
802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
Kindle Fire HD 8, HD 10, and HD 10 Plus:
802.11a/b/g/n/ac (100 Mbps)
HP ProBook: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
HP Intel Celeron: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
HP 15z-ef2000: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (200 Mbps)
Dell XPS 16: 802.11a/b/g/n (100 Mbps)
Dell Inspiron: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2 Gbps)
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