As Wi-Fi 7 technology continues to evolve, selecting the right platform becomes a key decision for device manufacturers and solution integrators. Among Qualcomm’s flagship Wi-Fi 7 SoCs, the IPQ9574 and IPQ9570 stand out with similar architectures but serve slightly different application needs. This article provides a detailed overview of both chips to help guide optimal product planning and development.
✅ 1. Positioning and Target Applications
| Chip Model | Positioning | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| IPQ9574 | Enterprise / Carrier Grade | Tri-band routers, Wi-Fi mesh, 5G CPE, wireless backhaul |
| IPQ9570 | Commercial / Mid-High End | Dual-band home routers, enterprise APs, IoT gateways |
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IPQ9574 supports full tri-band (2.4G / 5G / 6G) operations, ideal for high-performance wireless networking such as mesh or CPEs with backhaul.
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IPQ9570 focuses on dual-band support, offering cost-effective Wi-Fi 7 solutions for commercial and consumer markets.
⚙️ 2. Key Specification Overview
| Feature | IPQ9574 | IPQ9570 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz |
| Process Technology | 14nm FinFET | 14nm FinFET |
| Wireless Bands | 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz (tri-band) | 2.4GHz / 5GHz (6G optional) |
| MIMO Support | Up to 4×4 MIMO per band | 2×2 or 4×4 depending on design |
| Ethernet Support | Up to 10GbE + multiple GbE ports | 1GbE / 2.5GbE |
| Storage Interfaces | NAND, NOR, eMMC | NAND, NOR, eMMC |
| Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) |
| Acceleration Engines | HW NAT, Crypto, QoS, IPSec | HW NAT, Crypto, QoS, IPSec |
| Software Support | OpenWRT / Qualcomm SDK | OpenWRT / Qualcomm SDK |
📌 3. Shared Advantages
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Wi-Fi 7 Support:
Both platforms support 802.11be, including: -
320MHz channel width
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Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
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4096-QAM modulation
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High-performance ARM Architecture:
The quad-core Cortex-A73 offers enough processing power for advanced networking, VPN, mesh coordination, or edge computing. -
Developer-Friendly Platforms:
Fully compatible with OpenWRT, enabling rapid software development, UI customization, remote management, and OTA updates.
🧠 4. Recommended Application Scenarios
| Application Scenario | Recommended Chip | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-band mesh routers | IPQ9574 | Full tri-band + high computing power for AP coordination |
| Wireless backhaul APs | IPQ9574 | 6GHz for backhaul, 5G for access – optimal isolation |
| Industrial IoT gateways | IPQ9570 | Lower cost, sufficient performance, stable connectivity |
| Home Wi-Fi 7 routers | IPQ9570 | Affordable dual-band Wi-Fi 7 solution |
| Carrier-grade CPE/ONU | IPQ9574 | Supports high-throughput scenarios with 10G support |
🔩 5. Position Within Qualcomm’s SoC Portfolio
| Chipset | Wi-Fi Version | Market Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPQ5018 | Wi-Fi 6 | Entry-Level | For lightweight gateways and IoT |
| IPQ6018 | Wi-Fi 6 | Mid-Tier | Common in dual-band routers/APs |
| IPQ9570 | Wi-Fi 7 | Mid-to-High Dual-Band | Balanced cost and performance |
| IPQ9574 | Wi-Fi 7 | Flagship Tri-Band | Ideal for enterprise mesh, 10GbE CPEs |
✅ Conclusion
If your project requires Wi-Fi 7 tri-band performance, wireless backhaul, or enterprise-level throughput, the IPQ9574 is your go-to solution.
For dual-band applications focused on cost-efficiency and deployment flexibility—while still benefiting from Wi-Fi 7 core advantages—IPQ9570 is the right choice.
Both chipsets integrate seamlessly with Qualcomm’s QCN series (e.g., QCN9274, QCN6274, QCN9024), forming a complete and scalable Wi-Fi 7 platform. ODMs like WallysTech have released commercial modules and boards based on these platforms, allowing faster time-to-market for Wi-Fi 7 products.
