With every new Wi-Fi standard comes the extra speed and features we expect, but also a transition period when all the pieces needed aren’t quite in place. After spending a week testing and living with the TP-Link Deco BE85, the first Wi-Fi 7 router available, this notion rings true. The new spec moves a lot of data, codifies the good things from Wi-Fi 6E and adds a few extra goodies, like super-wide 320MHz data bands.
On the other hand, it’s like a house under construction with a foundation and walls but no roof because there’s only one Wi-Fi 7 device that can take advantage of its abilities. I previewed the Deco BE85 with a OnePlus 11 smartphone that has built-in Wi-Fi 7 and gave them both a good workout. Here’s what I found out.
