Asus is stepping up its game with the upcoming ROG Phone 9 FE, a more affordable alternative to its premium ROG Phone 9 series. This strategic move appears to be a direct response to the competitive offerings from Nubia’s Redmagic line, known for delivering high-performance gaming phones at attractive price points.
Although Asus has not made an official announcement yet, leaks have provided insights into the design and key specifications of the ROG Phone 9 FE, which is anticipated to hit the market in 2025. With a powerhouse combination of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, this device promises to deliver exceptional performance for budget-conscious gamers.
The rumored features of the ROG Phone 9 FE are impressive, including a 6.78-inch Full HD+ LTPO AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate (boosting to 185Hz in Game Genie mode) and AirTrigger controls for enhanced gaming experiences. The camera setup is said to consist of a 50Mp primary sensor, a 13Mp ultrawide lens, a 5Mp macro camera, and a 32Mp selfie shooter, catering to photography enthusiasts as well.
Not compromising on essential features, the ROG Phone 9 FE is expected to boast a 5,500mAh battery with 65W fast charging and wireless charging support. Its design, resembling the flagship ROG Phone 9 Pro and standard ROG Phone 9, offers a Phantom Black variant with an IP68 rating for durability, along with dual stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 7, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
The introduction of a more cost-effective gaming phone by Asus is a welcome development, especially for gamers seeking high-end performance without a hefty price tag. While the exact pricing remains unknown, comparisons with the Redmagic 10 Pro, starting at £579/$649, suggest that the ROG Phone 9 FE could offer similar or even lower pricing.
The real test lies in whether Asus can effectively challenge Redmagic’s stronghold in the affordable gaming phone market. By positioning the ROG Phone 9 FE competitively, Asus has the opportunity to revolutionize the mobile gaming landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on this promising addition to the gaming phone arena.