Linux support for Qualcomm's Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) chipsets, including the WCN7850 client adapter built into recent Snapdragon X Elite laptops and the QCN9274 and IPQ5332 radios used in current-generation wireless routers and access points. These are the newest Qualcomm wireless parts, shipping in client and infrastructure devices from roughly 2024 onward.
It should stay in the kernel because it is the only Linux driver for Qualcomm's current Wi-Fi 7 silicon, including the WCN7850 found in Snapdragon X Elite laptops shipping now and the QCN9274 and IPQ5332 chips used in access points still being sold new in 2026. Upstream maintenance is clearly active, with bug-fix patch series flowing on the kernel mailing list as recently as January 2026.
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103files
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monthly commits · 2021-04-21 → 2026-04-21 · 1,040 total · active in 40/61 months
Ubuntu bug traffic in January-February 2026 shows real-world ath12k WCN7850 deployment on Snapdragon X Elite laptops and references the upstream lore patch series plus firmware follow-up.
Commercial product listing shows IPQ5332/QCN9274 Wi-Fi 7 hardware still being sold, indicating ongoing new hardware availability.
codex reasoning notes (technical)
Active upstream driver: local Kconfig inspection via shell showed ath12k is a Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 driver and names WCN7850/QCN9274/IPQ5332. No removal evidence surfaced; instead, a lore patch series URL for Jan 23 2026 was obtained from web-search snippet, indicating ongoing bug-fix traffic. Deployment evidence came from Launchpad web results showing WCN7850 use in current Snapdragon X Elite laptops. New-sales evidence came from opening the 524wifi product page showing an IPQ5332/QCN9274 board in stock/backorder in 2026. Given 2026 maintenance and current-market Wi-Fi 7 devices, this should be kept; there is no natural replacement driver for the same chips.