Skip to main content

Between IPQ5424 and IPQ5018: The Evolution from WiFi 6 to WiFi 7 SoC Comprehensive Comparison

 As wireless communication technology continues to evolve rapidly, WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and WiFi 7 (802.11be) have become core drivers of the latest generation of wireless devices. Qualcomm’s IPQ5424 (WiFi 7 SoC) and IPQ5018 (WiFi 6 SoC) represent two different generations of wireless networking SoCs. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of these two solutions—from core architecture to wireless capabilities, processing power, I/O interfaces, power consumption, and application scenarios—to help OEMs, ODMs, and developers make better product decisions.

1. Basic Specifications Comparison

SpecificationIPQ5424 (WiFi 7)IPQ5018 (WiFi 6)
CPU ArchitectureQuad-core ARM Cortex-A53Dual-core ARM Cortex-A53
Clock SpeedUp to 1.5GHz (configurable)Up to 1.0GHz
WiFi Standard802.11be (WiFi 7)802.11ax (WiFi 6)
Frequency Bands2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz2.4GHz + 5GHz
MIMO Configuration2x2 supported (each band)2x2 supported (each band)
PHY Rate288+ Mbps per stream (6GHz)~240 Mbps per stream (5GHz)
OFDMA / MU-MIMOSupported (UL/DL)Supported (UL/DL)
QAM ModulationUp to 4096-QAMUp to 1024-QAM
Memory SupportDDR4 / DDR3LDDR3L
Storage InterfacesNAND / NOR / SPI / USBNAND / NOR / SPI
Ethernet PortsUp to 1x 2.5GbE + 2x GbEUp to 2x GbE
Package TypeBGABGA
Industrial Temp RangeSupported (certain models)Supported
Security EngineWPA3, Trusted Execution (TEE)WPA3

2. In-Depth Key Differences
1. Wireless Performance & Generational Leap

  • The IPQ5424, designed for WiFi 7, supports tri-band operation (2.4G + 5G + 6G) and includes key WiFi 7 features such as 4096-QAM and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) . Its wireless throughput significantly surpasses that of the IPQ5018, especially in congested environments where stability and bandwidth aggregation are critical.
  • The IPQ5018, a WiFi 6 SoC targeting mid-to-entry-level applications, supports dual-band operation with 2x2 MIMO but lacks advanced WiFi 7 capabilities.

sales@wallystech.com


2. CPU & Multitasking Capabilities

  • The IPQ5424 uses a quad-core Cortex-A53, offering 1.5–2x more concurrent processing power than the dual-core IPQ5018. This makes it better suited for handling multiple users and simultaneous device connections.
  • For platforms like OpenWRT, OpenWiFi, or edge computing use cases, the additional cores in IPQ5424 enable faster system response and task scheduling.

3. I/O & Expandability

  • The IPQ5424 supports a 2.5GbE Ethernet port, making it ideal for high-throughput data transfer. It also includes rich I/O options such as PCIe, USB 3.0, NAND, and SPI—suited for advanced industrial or edge network devices.
  • The IPQ5018 provides a simpler I/O setup, which is sufficient for cost-sensitive applications such as home repeaters or small business APs.

4. Power Efficiency

  • The IPQ5018 has lower power consumption, ideal for lightweight deployments or temperature-constrained environments.
  • The IPQ5424 consumes more power but implements dynamic power management for a balanced performance-to-power ratio, making it suitable for performance-intensive scenarios.

3. Typical Use Case Comparison

Application TypeIPQ5424 AdvantagesIPQ5018 Advantages
Enterprise AP / Edge Gateway✅ Better performance, multi-core, 2.5GbE❌ Lacks high-end performance
Industrial CPE / Outdoor AP✅ Tri-band & industrial-grade options✅ Power-efficient, temperature-hardened
Home / SMB Routers✅ Superior tri-band experience✅ Low-cost and flexible deployment
Mesh Network Nodes✅ Supports enhanced WiFi 7 mesh features✅ Ideal for budget-conscious mesh networks
OpenWRT / OpenWiFi Dev.✅ More memory & interfaces for development✅ Good for entry-level customization

4. Future-Proofing & Ecosystem Value

  • IPQ5424 is positioned to be a mainstream mid-tier SoC for WiFi 7 over the next 3–5 years. It is compatible with front-end chips like QCN9274/QCN6274, making it ideal for building powerful tri-band platforms.
  • IPQ5018 remains a mature and stable solution in the WiFi 6 ecosystem. With its low BOM cost and wide deployment base, it’s still an attractive choice for cost-effective projects.

5. Conclusion
The comparison between IPQ5424 and IPQ5018 mirrors the broader technological evolution from WiFi 6 to WiFi 7. With enhanced wireless capabilities, higher processing power, and improved expandability, IPQ5424 stands out as the SoC of choice for next-generation networking devices. Meanwhile, IPQ5018 continues to offer solid performance for budget-conscious and legacy WiFi 6 deployments.
Recommendations:

  • Choose IPQ5424 if your project demands tri-band concurrency, high throughput, and enterprise-grade features.
  • Choose IPQ5018 for cost-effective, dual-band solutions with power efficiency.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Qualcomm's IPQ53XX Series: IPQ5300, IPQ5332, IPQ5322 Comprehensive Analysis

  As wireless networking technology continues to evolve, Qualcomm has introduced the IPQ53XX series chipsets to meet the market’s demand for high-speed, stable, and versatile network devices. This series includes several notable models, with IPQ5300, IPQ5332, and IPQ5322 being key highlights. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of these three chips and their advantages in various networking applications. 1. IPQ5300: The Efficient Mid-Range Choice The IPQ5300 is designed for mid-range network devices and boasts the following key features: Multi-Core Architecture : Equipped with a quad-core CPU, the IPQ5300 is capable of handling network data and multitasking efficiently. WiFi 6 Support : This chip supports the 802.11ax (WiFi 6) standard, offering faster transmission speeds and lower latency, ideal for homes and small offices. Network Acceleration : Includes a built-in network acceleration engine to optimize traffic handling and device performance, ensuring a smooth us...
Post a Comment
Read more

IPQ4018 vs IPQ5018: Comprehensive Performance Comparison

 ## IPQ4018 vs IPQ5018: Comprehensive Performance Comparison ### Introduction The IPQ4018 and IPQ5018 are both high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) solutions from Qualcomm, designed for wireless networking applications. This article provides a detailed comparison of these two SoCs, examining their performance, features, and suitability for different applications. ### Architecture and Processing Power #### IPQ4018 - **CPU**: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 - **Frequency**: Up to 717 MHz - **Process**: 28nm - **Cache**: L2 cache support #### IPQ5018 - **CPU**: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 - **Frequency**: Up to 1.0 GHz - **Process**: 28nm - **Cache**: Larger L2 cache compared to IPQ4018 **Comparison**: The IPQ5018 features a more advanced ARM Cortex-A53 architecture, providing better performance per clock cycle and higher overall processing power due to its increased frequency. ### Wireless Capabilities #### IPQ4018 - **Wi-Fi Standards**: 802.11ac Wave 2 - **Bands**: Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)...
Post a Comment
Read more

Qualcomm IPQ5322 WiFi7 : Dual QCN9274 Card Support & AP Controller

  Qualcomm IPQ5322 WiFi 7 Motherboard: Dual QCN9274 Card Support & AP Controller Solution Analysis Introduction As WiFi 7 technology continues to evolve, the demand for high-performance, scalable wireless networking solutions is increasing. The IPQ5322 motherboard, powered by Qualcomm’s advanced SoC, offers exceptional processing capabilities and high throughput, making it an ideal choice for building high-performance access points (APs). This article will analyze how the IPQ5322 motherboard supports two QCN9274 WiFi 7 cards , explore various dual-band and single-band card configurations, and discuss its advantages in AP Controller-based networking. Overview of the IPQ5322 SoC The Qualcomm IPQ5322 is a WiFi 7 SoC featuring: Dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with up to 1.5GHz clock speed, ensuring strong computational power. Integrated 2.5G Ethernet ports , supporting high-speed backhaul and fronthaul connections. WiFi 7 standard (802.11be) support , delivering higher band...
Post a Comment
Read more