image credit: tp-link
Both technologies are now mainstream, but they solve different problems. Here’s a clear, up-to-date comparison to help you decide which (or both) you actually need.
| Feature | 5G (Cellular) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Winner / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Theoretical Speed | 10–20 Gbps (mmWave), 1–3 Gbps (mid-band real-world) | Up to 46 Gbps (lab), ~10–15 Gbps realistic with 320 MHz channels | Wi-Fi 7 (local network) |
| Real-World Speed (2026) | 300 Mbps – 2 Gbps (most 5G Home / mobile plans) | 2–8 Gbps (on modern laptops/phones with good router) | Wi-Fi 7 (at home) |
| Latency | 4–20 ms (5G Advanced in 2026) | 1–5 ms | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Range / Coverage | Hundreds of meters to kilometers (depends on tower) | 50–100 m indoors, less through walls | 5G |
| Mobility | Designed for moving devices (cars, walking, trains) | Stationary or short-range only | 5G |
| Cost of Access | Monthly plan ($30–$120/mo for 5G Home, $50–$100 mobile) | One-time router cost ($200–$800) + your existing internet | Wi-Fi 7 (long-term) |
| Device Support (2026) | Almost every phone, many laptops, 5G home gateways | Newer flagships (iPhone 17/18, Galaxy S25/S26, Intel Lunar Lake/Arrow Lake laptops, etc.) | Tie – both widely supported now |
| Capacity (many devices) | Excellent (cellular slicing, massive MIMO) | Best yet (4096-QAM + Multi-Link Operation) | Slight edge to Wi-Fi 7 in dense homes |
| Interference Resistance | Very good (licensed spectrum) | Improved over Wi-Fi 6E, but still shared unlicensed | 5G |
| Power Consumption | Higher on phones (especially mmWave) | Lower (especially with target wake time) | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Best Use Cases | – On-the-go internet – Rural / backup home internet – Fixed Wireless Access (5G Home) | – Ultra-fast home/office network – 8K streaming – VR/AR – Local file transfers | Depends on scenario |
Verdict in 2026
| Scenario | Clear Winner |
|---|---|
| Home internet (fiber/cable available) | Wi-Fi 7 – cheaper long-term, lower latency, higher local speeds |
| Traveling, public places, mobility | 5G – only option that works outside your house |
| Rural areas or no wired broadband | 5G Home (T-Mobile, Verizon, Starry, etc.) |
| Gaming / VR / low-latency applications | Wi-Fi 7 (when on the same network) |
| Backup when fiber goes down | 5G (cellular failover routers now common) |
| Apartment with 100+ IoT devices | Wi-Fi 7 (better multi-device handling) |
Bottom Line
- Wi-Fi 7 is the undisputed king inside your home or office in 2026 — faster, cheaper per GB, lower latency.
- 5G is the mobility and wide-area champion — nothing beats it when you leave the house or live where wired internet isn’t available.
Most power users in 2026 will want both: a screaming-fast Wi-Fi 7 mesh at home + a solid 5G phone plan (or 5G home backup).
Which one are you more excited about right now — Wi-Fi 7 at home or 5G everywhere? Let me know!
