IPQ9570 vs. IPQ5424 —Top-Tier Showdown- Which One Is Right for You?

wifi6

Top-Tier Showdown: A Comprehensive Analysis of Qualcomm IPQ9570 vs. IPQ5424 — Which One Is Right for You?As Wi-Fi 7 technology enters the application phase, Qualcomm’s two next-generation SoCs — IPQ9570 and IPQ5424 — are receiving increasing attention. But which one suits your needs better? Here’s a comprehensive and in-depth comparison to help you decide.
1. Chip Positioning

• IPQ9570 is positioned as a high-end enterprise/industrial Wi-Fi 7 platform, targeting applications like enterprise access points, industrial communications, and outdoor mesh nodes.
• IPQ5424 is designed as a mid-range enterprise and high-end residential Wi-Fi 7 platform, ideal for premium home routers and SMB wireless deployments.
  

Summary: IPQ9570 takes the high-performance, heavy-duty route, while IPQ5424 offers an optimized balance of performance and cost.

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2. Core Hardware SpecificationsItemIPQ9570IPQ5424
Process14nm14nm
CPU ArchitectureCortex-A73Cortex-A53
Cores4 cores4 cores
CPU FrequencyUp to 2.2GHzUp to 1.5GHzComment: Equipped with Cortex-A73 cores, the IPQ9570 delivers significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance compared to the IPQ5424 — crucial for handling high-concurrency scenarios.

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3. Wireless Communication CapabilitiesItemIPQ9570IPQ5424
StandardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Supported Bands2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz
MIMO Configuration4x4 MIMO2x2 MIMO
Single Band Max RateUp to 4804 MbpsUp to 2402 MbpsComment: With a 4x4 MIMO setup, the IPQ9570 offers double the wireless throughput, making it ideal for dense multi-user environments. The IPQ5424 fits well in standard home or small office setups.

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4. Interface and Expansion CapabilitiesItemIPQ9570IPQ5424
Ethernet Interface2×10GbE2×1GbE
PCIe ExpansionPCIe 4.0 x2 / x1PCIe 3.0 x1
USB InterfaceUSB 3.0USB 3.0Comment: The IPQ9570 offers abundant high-speed interfaces, particularly dual 10G Ethernet ports, ideal for enterprise-level LANs and module expansions. IPQ5424 strikes a good balance between cost and functionality.

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5. Software and Open Source EcosystemBoth chips are supported by Qualcomm’s official OVS SDK (based on the Yocto framework).
However, regarding open-source communities like OpenWRT/OpenWiFi:

• IPQ9570 and IPQ5424 are not yet fully supported (especially for the 6GHz band).
• OpenWRT is actively working on adaptation, but stable open-source support will require more time and development resources.
  

Tip: Projects requiring open-source integration should be prepared for additional software engineering efforts.

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6. Market Pricing TrendsChipCost LevelEstimated Bare Board Cost
IPQ9570High120–120–120–160
IPQ5424Medium60–60–60–90Summary: If budget allows and top performance is the goal, choose IPQ9570;
for a balanced cost-effective solution, IPQ5424 is a very smart option.

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7. Recommended Application ScenariosSolutionRecommended Applications
IPQ9570Enterprise-class APs, Industrial routers, Outdoor large-scale mesh systems, Hotel/campus Wi-Fi deployments
IPQ5424High-end residential routers, SMB access points, Light mesh networking setups

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Final ConclusionIf your goal is to build a high-throughput, high-concurrency, full-band enterprise network, the IPQ9570 is undoubtedly the first choice.
If you are aiming for high-speed Wi-Fi 7 performance on a reasonable budget, the IPQ5424 offers outstanding value.
As the Wi-Fi 7 ecosystem matures, both chips are set to play crucial roles in their respective markets.
Choosing the right platform is the first step towards building a successful product.