Future Galaxy phones could deal a lot better with Wi-Fi dead zones

Samsung has just started equipping more high-end Galaxy phones, like the Galaxy Z Flip 7, with Wi-Fi 7, but the next version of Wi-Fi is already in development. IEEE, the Wi-Fi standards body, has completed the first draft of Wi-Fi 8, which focuses on reliability improvements. It deals a lot better with Wi-Fi dead zones and could come to high-end Galaxy devices sometime in 2028.

IEEE, the standards body that oversees the development of Wi-Fi, has finished the first draft of 802.11bn, which will be called Wi-Fi 8. Unlike most previous versions of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 8 focuses more on reliability improvements rather than data transfer speeds. Hence, IEEE calls it 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability (UHR).

In large spaces, it is likely that a device switches from one Wi-Fi access point (such as a Wi-Fi router) to another, but when that happens, the Wi-Fi connection is often messy, with low speeds and dropped packets of information. Wi-Fi 8 has a feature called Single Mobility Domains, which will keep your device connected with low latency, resulting in fewer hiccups and interruptions.

Moreover, when a device is at the edge of a Wi-Fi router's range, the network speed is very low and there are frequent disconnections. Wi-Fi 8 has enhancements to improve the overall experience in such instances. In crowded areas, like a convention, Wi-Fi networks can get congested, resulting in slow connections and speeds. Wi-Fi 8 allows multiple access points to work together and cooperate in a better way by dynamically adjusting channels and power.

Wi-Fi 8 also brings new ways to know how much power is being used and how much power is needed to maintain a stable wireless connection. So, it consumes less power, resulting in lower power usage and longer battery life for devices like laptops, phones, and tablets.

All these improvements will come with Wi-Fi 8, which is expected to be formally launched in 2028. Usually, Samsung brings newer Wi-Fi versions to its flagship phones quite fast. Even if it is late, there is a possibility of Wi-Fi 8 appearing in the Galaxy S29 Ultra (tentative name) in early 2029. Wi-Fi 8 routers and access points should also be available around that time, albeit at high prices.

Image Credits: Qualcomm