ASUS has introduced a new addition to its ROG Phone 9 series, the ROG Phone 9 FE. This budget-friendly model retains many of the features of its flagship siblings while making some adjustments to achieve a more accessible price point.
The ROG Phone 9 FE sports a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which can be boosted to 185Hz for gaming. The device features a triple rear camera setup, headlined by a 50MP primary lens with OIS, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The back panel also includes a simplified version of the ROG Phone’s signature LED dot matrix, with 85 programmable dots instead of the Pro model’s 648. A 32MP punch-hole selfie camera is located on the front.
Internally, the ROG Phone 9 FE is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, a 2023 chip. This choice likely contributes to the device’s lower cost. The phone packs a 5,500mAh battery and supports 65W fast charging and 15W Qi 1.3 wireless charging. It comes with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The ROG Phone 9 FE includes several gaming-centric features found in the other models in the series. Game Cool 8 is an internal cooling structure designed to dissipate heat during extended gaming sessions. X-Mode enhances gaming performance by “unlocking the limits of gaming,” according to ASUS. AI-powered features like X Sense, X Capture, and AI Grabber assist with recording highlights, finding gaming tips, and other tasks. AirTriggers provide customizable controls for gaming and other functions, and can even be used for retro gaming with the mini-LEDs on the back.
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 FE is currently available in Taiwan for approximately $894. ASUS has not yet announced plans for a release in other regions, including the United States. The ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro were released earlier this year at $999 and $1,199, respectively. The ROG Phone 9 FE offers a more affordable option for gamers seeking a high-performance device with many of the features found in the flagship models.
