An enigmatic Asus smartphone could take Samsung's place.
In an unusual twist, Asus appears to be referencing Samsung's name for an upcoming surprise presentation.
Asus has generated expectations with the potential introduction of the ROG Phone 9 FE, a model that seems to take inspiration from Samsung's naming conventions. This device has been detected in various comparative analyses, combining the familiar name ROG Phone 9 with the suffix "FE," which is typically associated with Samsung and stands for Fan Edition. Recently, Asus unveiled the ROG Phone 9 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro, without mentioning the existence of a third model on those occasions. While there were previous speculations about the arrival of an "Ultimate" model, the inclusion of the FE version suggests that it may offer more modest specifications compared to the ROG Phone 9.
The term FE used by Samsung commonly applies to slightly updated versions of its older flagship phones, allowing buyers to acquire recent high-end models at more accessible prices. This designation has a complicated background, as it emerged during the crisis of the Galaxy Note 7, which was linked to security incidents. Despite this, Asus has chosen to continue using this name, at least in performance test results, where the phone appears with the model number AI2401 N. This model has also been registered by the GSM Association (GSMA), suggesting that its appearance in the tests is legitimate.
Although specific specifications have not been disclosed, links are being established between the ROG Phone 9 FE and the ROG Phone 8, which had the model number AI2501 C. Asus may be replicating Samsung's strategy by reusing the chassis and some specifications from the ROG Phone 8, presenting it as a ROG Phone 9 and using the FE suffix to distinguish it within the product line. However, this decision is somewhat unusual, as the term FE does not have a direct connotation outside of Samsung's context and is associated with a problematic moment in the brand's history.
At the moment, there is no available information regarding the launch of this new model. However, those interested in the ROG Phone lineup can still acquire models like the ROG Phone 9 and the ROG Phone 9 Pro, which feature characteristics that may be very appealing to mobile gaming enthusiasts.
