New router offers 7,200 Mbps wireless capacity but faces wired bottlenecks
ZTE has dropped a new contender into the Wi-Fi 7 market with the launch of the Wentian BE7200 Max. Released officially on December 17, the router hits a surprisingly accessible price point of CNY 799 (roughly $110). While the specs look impressive on paper, the device is clearly aiming to disrupt the mid-range market by offering next-gen features at a price usually reserved for older Wi-Fi 6 hardware.
The main draw here is the value proposition. While early Wi-Fi 7 adopters have grown used to eye-watering prices, the BE7200 Max lands significantly cheaper than direct competitors like the TP-Link Archer BE550.
Despite the sub-$110 equivalent price tag, the hardware specifications are competitive. The router operates on the IEEE 802.11be standard (Wi-Fi 7) and delivers theoretical aggregate speeds of up to 7,200 Mbps. This throughput is split across three bands: 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 2,882 Mbps on 5 GHz, and 3,456 Mbps on the 6 GHz band.
The device supports the 320 MHz channel width on the 6 GHz band, which allows for extremely low latency—ideal for VR applications. Powering the unit is a proprietary ZTE quad-core 1.5 GHz processor paired with 1 GB of RAM, a configuration designed to handle heavy traffic loads without stuttering.
ZTE markets the "Max" moniker as a solution for signal congestion, utilizing eight high-gain external antennas. However, users should be aware of the physical limitations regarding internet speeds.
For wired connectivity, the unit includes:
The Wentian BE7200 Max integrates Multi-Link Operation (MLO), a standard but essential feature of Wi-Fi 7. MLO allows devices to aggregate bands (connecting to 5 GHz and 6 GHz simultaneously) to improve stability and throughput. ZTE claims this results in a 40% efficiency improvement in multi-device scenarios compared to single-band connections.
ZTE has also implemented an AI-driven bandwidth allocation system. This uses machine learning to identify traffic types, prioritizing latency-sensitive data like gaming packets over background downloads. In their own controlled tests, ZTE claims this feature reduced lag by 30%, though real-world results in fluctuating home environments may vary.
Currently, the Wentian BE7200 Max is exclusive to the Chinese market, available via ZTE’s online store and JD.com.
International availability remains a significant question mark. Unlike TP-Link or Asus, ZTE faces substantial regulatory hurdles in Western markets, particularly the US and parts of Europe, due to ongoing security restrictions on their telecommunications equipment. While this router offers excellent hardware value, a global rollout is far from guaranteed. For now, it serves as a domestic powerhouse, demonstrating just how affordable Wi-Fi 7 can get when aggressive manufacturing meets a competitive local market.
