According to recent leaks, ASUS is preparing to launch a Fan Edition (FE) variant of its popular ROG Phone 9 Pro series. This latest addition is expected to offer a slightly pared-down version of the flagship lineup, catering to gamers who seek high performance at a more affordable price.
Rumoured features and specifications
Leaked by 91Mobiles, the ROG Phone 9 FE is said to resemble its Pro siblings in design closely but differs in some specifications. Instead of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor powering the Pro series, the FE model is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 2024 high-end chipset capable of excellent performance for gaming and multitasking.
The FE model reportedly matches the Pro series in RAM, offering 16GB for seamless performance. However, the internal storage is halved, with only 256GB compared to the Pro’s 512GB. Its display is a Full HD+ LTPO screen measuring 6.78 inches, with a refresh rate of 165Hz and an impressive peak brightness of 2,500 nits. This provides smooth visuals and vibrant colours that are ideal for gaming.
Camera and battery details
When it comes to photography, the ROG Phone 9 FE features a 50MP Sony IMX890 main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. These specs differ slightly from the Pro series, which boasts a 50MP Sony Lytia 700 main camera with OIS, a 32MP telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. While the FE camera setup isn’t as powerful, it still caters to those looking for decent imaging capabilities alongside gaming performance.
The FE model’s battery capacity is slightly smaller at 5,500mAh compared to the Pro series’ 5,800mAh. Despite this, it’s expected to provide excellent battery life, especially with its power-efficient chipset.
Additional features and pricing speculation
Other notable features rumoured for the ROG Phone 9 FE include stereo speakers for immersive sound, a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio, Wi-Fi 7 support for ultra-fast connectivity, IP68 water and dust resistance, and an in-display fingerprint sensor for security.
While ASUS has yet to confirm the pricing, the ROG Phone 9 Pro series currently starts at S$1,599 (US$1,180). Based on the pared-down features, the ROG Phone 9 FE is expected to be more budget-friendly, possibly retailing closer to S$1,000 (US$740). This pricing would make it a strong competitor in the gaming phone market, balancing performance with affordability.
Stay tuned for an official announcement from ASUS, as the ROG Phone 9 FE launch date could be just around the corner.
