81
Android is adding a new Wi-Fi hotspot option that maximizes speed and compatibility
(www.androidauthority.com)
this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2025
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Android
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That's kind of dumb. Devices have had 5 GHz support since something like 2013, so why not do 5 and 6 instead of 2.4 and 6?
Because 2.4 GHz has a better range.
I think that depends on where you're at. If you're in the middle of nowhere, yeah, you're probably right. If you're in the middle of a city apartment building, probably not.
It can often still have better range, even within an apartment building, since 2.4GHz will penetrates walls easier.
However, interference can be different, because 5Ghz has more channels, and many devices still primarily operate on 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz, meaning 5GHz can be interfered with less than 2.4GHz.
At the end of the day, it will depend on your environment, as interference can be a big factor, but regardless, you'll almost always find you have better, consistent signal range with 2.4GHz than 5GHz, because it's just that much better at penetrating solid objects, irrespective of interference.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that 5ghz can use higher signal power than 2.4ghz which would diminish this advantage by some, anyway. If I remember correctly, the 2.4 GHZ band is limited to 0.1W while the 5 GHZ band is 1W.
Edit: With that said, I'm betting that a phone hotspot limits both of them to a very low power in order to keep battery life because blasting out one watt would kill your battery quite quickly.
The allowed transmit power can vary by country, but I doubt any phone will use 1000mW for it's mobile hotapot.
Like the last guy said, all about penetration. Higher frequencies just plain interact with stuff more, it's why you only hear the bass from outside a concert and why people were worried about 5g giving em cancer. My 5ghz stuff goes to shit when it rains while the 2.4ghz doesn't even notice. If you're rural and connecting stuff between buildings/through vegetation 2.4 is still where it's at, if everyone in apartment buildings switched to 6 they're interfere with each others stuff less and all have better signal
It is less about range and more about interference. 2.4GHz only has a few channels so it is very congested
Low end 2.4G only devices still exist
Hotspot is pretty nice if you are trying to get an old device online temporarily
Has better range
And as an anectode, l still see at least one 2.4G only device every month.
it's nice that your Kindle isn't just collecting dust in a drawer