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Asus appears to have a cheaper ROG Phone 9 model on the way

Asus might soon announce a cheaper model to the ROG Phone 9 series. (Image source: Asus)
Asus might soon announce a cheaper model to the ROG Phone 9 series. (Image source: Asus)
Asus may soon announce a third ROG Phone 9 model that is expected to be cheaper than its siblings. Called the ROG Phone 9 FE, the phone also shares an important feature with the ROG Phone 8 series, hinting at it being a rebadge of the 2024 gaming phone.

It has only been a couple of months since Asus announced the ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro, its latest gaming smartphones, but it appears they will soon be joined by a third model, one that may be more affordable if its name and model number are taken into consideration.

The upcoming device was spotted on the database of the Malaysian and Thailand equivalents of the FCC under the name ROG Phone 9 FE. The FE suffix is reminiscent of Samsung's Galaxy FE line of affordable devices, and it appears Asus wants to toe the same line.

Aside from the FE suffix, the model number of the phone is AI2401_N which is almost identical to that of the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro announced a year ago. Based on this, it is presumed that the ROG Phone 9 FE may be a rebadged ROG Phone 8 or ROG Phone 8 Pro. For context, the ROG Phone 9 series has the model number AI2501.

Considering the ROG Phone 9 series isn't actually cheap with the standard model starting at $999.99 while the ROG Phone 9 Pro starts at $1,199.99, fans of the series will welcome a cheaper model. However, since the specifications of the ROG Phone 9 FE aren't known yet, it is advised to temper expectations.

The Asus ROG Phone 9 FE has the same model number as the ROG Phone 8 series. (Image source: 91Mobiles)
The Asus ROG Phone 9 FE has the same model number as the ROG Phone 8 series. (Image source: 91Mobiles)

More details of the ROG Phone 9 FE are expected to surface as its launch date draws closer. Although it is not known when it will be unveiled, Asus has an event scheduled for the 6th of February where it plans to unveil the Zenfone 12 Ultra. Maybe, the ROG Phone 9 FE will be announced on that day, too.

Buy the Zenfone 11 Ultra on Amazon for $899.99.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 01 > Asus appears to have a cheaper ROG Phone 9 model on the way
Habeeb Onawole, 2025-01-21 (Update: 2025-01-21)