Combining information from various consumer electronics platforms, it is reported that Samsung is rumored to introduce its new flagship model, the S24, with the incorporation of the next-generation wireless communication technology, WiFi 7, in January next year. Following Samsung's lead, there are expectations that Apple's iPhone 16 series, set to be released next year, may also adopt WiFi 7. With both Samsung and Apple paving the way, 2024 is anticipated to be the year when smartphones embrace the WiFi 7 era.

WiFi 7 boasts faster transmission speeds and more frequency bands, with a theoretical speed 4.8 times faster than WiFi 6 and 13 times faster than WiFi 5. It provides users with an ultra-low latency and high-bandwidth internet experience, making it a crucial wireless communication technology for applications like smart home devices and AR/VR.

Samsung has traditionally unveiled its annual flagship S series smartphones just before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the United States, usually in January. The market anticipates that the S24 model for 2024 will follow this pattern and is likely to feature WiFi 7 technology, potentially making it the first smartphone equipped with WiFi 7. Additionally, Apple might also adopt WiFi 7 when launching the iPhone 16 in the latter half of next year, as failing to do so could result in a loss of market share.

While the specifications for WiFi 7 have not been finalized, major chip manufacturers such as Broadcom, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Intel have already begun preparations. Unlike WiFi 6, which operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, WiFi 7 introduces an additional frequency band at 6 GHz, totaling three frequency bands. Consequently, the number of power amplifiers (PAs) is expected to increase, along with heightened frequency agility, contributing to an expansion in PA demand.

Industry analysis suggests that WiFi 5 typically utilizes one to two power amplifiers (PAs), WiFi 6 requires three to four PAs, and the PA demand increased with WiFi 6E technology, ranging from four to seven PAs. For the upcoming WiFi 7 technology, it is estimated that the required number of PAs will reach eight to ten, potentially triggering a surge in demand in the PA market.