Sharing data from your mobile phone has become almost routine for working remotely, studying remotely, or connecting from homeBut until now, every time the Wi-Fi hotspot was activated on Android, a trade-off had to be made: either maximum speed was prioritized, or it was ensured that all devices, even the oldest ones, could connect to the network.
Google is making moves in the Android beta versions to try and resolve this dilemma with a new hotspot option that combines massive compatibility of the 2,4 GHz band with the performance of the 6 GHz frequency bandThe idea is to offer, in a single setting, the middle ground that many users have been missing for some time.
What problem does the new Android hotspot intend to solve?
Until now, most Android phones have created hotspots using traditional bands of 2,4 and 5 GHzIn the most recent models, especially in high-end ranges compatible with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, the possibility of using the 6 GHz band has also been added, designed to maximize speed and reduce congestion in saturated environments.
The problem is that, when activating an exclusive hotspot in 6 GHzMany devices are automatically rendered incompatible. This includes older laptops, budget tablets, portable consoles, or devices without the latest Wi-Fi standards. They don't even see the networkIn addition, the range of 6 GHz is shorter: the signal degrades faster and penetrates walls and obstacles less effectively.
In the United States and other markets where the 6 GHz band is already legally enabled, Google began offering Pixel phones the option to choose this frequency as the preferred one within the internet sharing settings. This was an important step toward taking full advantage of the new standards, but it still forced users to choose between performance and compatibility.
In everyday use, especially in hybrid work or travel around Europe, this compromise translates into fairly common scenarios: the new laptop connects seamlessly to the 6 GHz network, but the old tablet or borrowed office computer fails to detect the network. forcing you to manually change the mode from the access point.
The new 2,4 and 6 GHz option: the best of both worlds
To break out of this impasse, Google is testing a new hotspot configuration on Android that allows broadcast simultaneously on 2,4 and 6 GHzThe option was detected in a recent Canary version of the system, according to analysis by well-known developer and leaker Mishaal Rahman.
The logic behind this function is simple: the mobile phone acts as a small smart router capable of offering each device the band that best suits it. Modern equipment benefits from the high speed and lower saturation of 6 GHz.while older devices continue to connect seamlessly to the 2,4 GHz network, with greater range and virtually universal compatibility.
With this change, the hotspot settings menu in Android now shows three clear options: the familiar combination of 2,4 and 5 GHz; the exclusive option of 6 GHz for those who want to maximize speed; and the new adjustment of 2,4 and 6 GHz, designed as a kind of all-terrain mode that balances range and performance.
In practice, this simultaneous dual-band capability should allow a single access point to serve for recent laptops, current tablets, secondary mobile phones, or IoT devices that only speak on 2,4 GHz, all at the same time and without needing to change parameters every two or three times.
How does this new feature fit into Pixel phones and the Android ecosystem?
Google often uses its Pixel phones as a testing ground for its most advanced connectivity features, and everything suggests that it will follow the same pattern with this new hotspot: The Pixel phones would be the first to debut the 2,4 and 6 GHz option in your internet sharing settings.
In some regions, current Pixel phones already offer the option to activate the 6 GHz band for the hotspot by accessing the menu. "Networks and Internet" > "Internet Sharing" > "Speed ​​and Compatibility"That's where, in the Canary versions, the new 2,4 and 6 GHz alternative starts to appear alongside the usual configurations.
This feature has been found in early builds related to Android 16QPR3This suggests that the company wants to incorporate it in an intermediate update rather than waiting for a future major version like Android 17. In other words, it could reach users through a beta version relatively soon, provided that testing doesn't uncover stability issues or excessive battery drain.
Once it's been refined in the Pixel, it's expected that other Android mobile manufacturers in Europe and the rest of the world will follow suit. integrating the option into its customization layersprovided that your devices are compatible with Wi-Fi 6E or 7 and local regulations allow the use of the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi networks.
What impact could this have on Spain and Europe?
In Europe, the use of the band 6 GHz for Wi-Fi has been progressively approvedWith regulatory frameworks that vary from country to country but generally allow its use indoors and in certain controlled environments, this has facilitated the arrival of Wi-Fi 6E routers and, more recently, Wi-Fi 7 equipment that already takes advantage of this frequency.
The addition of a 2,4 and 6 GHz hotspot in Android fits perfectly into this context, because This makes the mobile phone a natural complement to new home networksAnyone with fiber optic internet at home and a modern router is already taking advantage of the 6 GHz band; with this feature, when out and about or traveling, they could maintain a similar speed experience on their laptop, simply by using their phone as a portable router.
This approach may be of particular interest to users who travel frequently for work, journalists, technicians, or students that need to connect multiple devices without relying on public Wi-Fi networksIt's also useful for those who use an old mobile phone as a makeshift 4G or 5G router: with dual-band capability, that spare phone could provide connectivity to a wider range of devices without becoming a bottleneck.
Obviously, to benefit from 6 GHz mode, both the mobile phone and the connected devices must be compatible with Wi-Fi 6E or 7. However, the fact that the hotspot also continues to broadcast at 2,4 GHz means that no device should be left out due to lack of support, which greatly eases the transition to these newer standards.
In the specific case of Spain, where the adoption of fiber optics and generous mobile data plans is high, a hotspot that combines high bandwidth with full compatibility It fits well with common uses: occasional connections in second homes, working on the go, university studies or simply sharing data with the family when fixed Wi-Fi fails.
One more step towards turning your mobile phone into an advanced portable router
Using a phone as a hotspot is nothing new, but it has always had technical limitations: high battery consumption, limited network configuration options and, until now, the need to manually choose which band to use depending on the devices to be connected.
With the new 2,4 and 6 GHz option, Android gets a little closer to the behavior of mid-range and high-end routers that already offer combined dual- or triple-band networksWithout requiring the user to become a Wi-Fi expert, the system can distribute the load more efficiently across different frequencies, reducing congestion and improving the overall browsing experience.
For those who make the most of tethering on a daily basis, the big advantage is clear: they will be able to continue enjoying the highest possible speeds on modern laptops without having to give up connecting simpler devices, such as e-readers, portable consoles, or equipment with older Wi-Fi adapters.
It remains to be seen how this dual emission will affect energy consumption and device heating, two aspects that are always a concern when discussing prolonged hotspot use. However, the initial test on the Canary branch indicates that Google is adjusting this feature with a view to realistic use., beyond the technical demos.
If the company stays on course and the feature finally arrives in a stable version of Android 16 QPR3, many current mobile phones will be able to transform into highly capable dual-band mobile routers without needing to buy any additional equipment. For those who are constantly glued to their laptops and mobile phones, especially in urban and professional environments, this can be a small but significant change in how they connect.
With this move, Android reinforces the idea that the smartphone is now the center of personal connectivity: a device capable of serving both the latest generation of devices with Wi-Fi 6E or 7 and that veteran laptop that still refuses to retire, offering an access point that It combines top speed, maximum compatibility, and greater flexibility. in almost any everyday use situation.
