Wi-Fi 8 Routers: What the GT-BN98 Means for Your Gaming Setu…

For gamers and smart-home users, Wi-Fi 8 promises more stable connections and better range, reducing dropouts and lag in challenging environments. However, early adoption comes at a premium with limit…

For gamers and smart-home users, Wi-Fi 8 promises more stable connections and better range, reducing dropouts and lag in challenging environments. However, early adoption comes at a premium with limit…

Key points - Asus ROG Rapture GT-BN98 is the first Wi-Fi 8 router, priced around $999/£790. - Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) focuses on reliability and range, not raw speed, and won't be ratified until late 2028. - The GT-BN98 features two 10 Gbps ports, quad-band 24.4 Gbps speed, and a quad-core CPU with NPU. - In tests, it delivered 894 Mbps two rooms away, far exceeding Wi-Fi 7 routers that struggle past 500 Mbps. - No Wi-Fi 8 client devices are available yet, limiting immediate benefits.

Timeline - Late 2028: Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) expected to be officially ratified. - By the time of reading: At least four Wi-Fi 8 routers will have hit the market, but no laptops or other devices. - Recent tests: GT-BN98 compared to Wi-Fi 7 routers, showing better mid-to-long range performance.

FAQ

Q: Do I need Wi-Fi 8 devices to benefit from the GT-BN98? A: Not necessarily. The router's new tech like UEQM and ELR can improve reliability for existing devices, but full benefits require Wi-Fi 8 clients, which aren't available yet.

Q: Is the GT-BN98 faster than Wi-Fi 7 routers? A: Up close, it's slower than some Wi-Fi 7 routers, but at distance it maintains much higher speeds, making it more reliable for whole-home coverage.

Q: When will Wi-Fi 8 be officially available? A: The standard is expected to be ratified in late 2028, but routers like the GT-BN98 are already available as draft-based products.