Yes, the choices will be hard. I have been tempted to pick up an RT-AX86U, and they have been available in my nearby BestBuy, but...they also just went up about 12% in price about two weeks ago ($250 to $280 USD now). Not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but annoying for an item I am on the fence about to begin with, as it isn't a true "need" at the moment. My RT-AC86U is still working fine, but is approaching three years old, and is a model known to suffer from sudden/premature death.Pros and cons to dropping the AC in favour of AX - the AC stuff would be forced to become nodes in AiMesh configs as they'd be feature-frozen (until...), AX stuff could be focused on as you've said...hmmm.
with @L&LD 's glowing report and whole-hearted endorsement of the AX68, this could be the lateral move while we wait...
the AX86 is sold out at my local retailers, and the $300+ Canuckistan kopeks to obtain one is a bit dear for me at the moment IF one were available (what's the difference between the 86u and 86s?)...the ax68 is only 60-70 kopeks less, still a reach but stretchable...
I will wait. there are only 3 AX-enabled devices (2 iPhones and an asus laptop) on my network at this time
Sorry for the off topic rant...