ASUS has officially announced that it will be bringing its ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series to the global market this October. The company is positioning the series as the first-to-market WiFi 8 router, with the lineup set to arrive in retail stores starting next month.
ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series
The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series consists of two models: the GT-BN98 Pro (BN30000) and the GT-BN98 (BN25000). According to ASUS, both models feature quad-band WiFi 8 designs, while the lineup offers total wireless throughput of up to 30,000Mbps. However, the company notes that this maximum data rate applies specifically to the GT-BN98, with no specific maximum throughput rate stated for the GT-BN98 ProΒ
Under the hood, both models are equipped with a 2.6GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM to handle what ASUS describes as βdemanding networking workloadsβ. They also come with two 10Gbps ports and four 2.5Gbps LAN ports for flexible multi-gigabit wired connectivity.
Thanks to its 3D structural design, the router packs a 16-antenna architecture into eight high-performance external antennas. It also features an advanced thermal system that can help maintain performance, capacity, and coverage across the network while under load.
ZenWiFi BN12
Alongside the announcement, ASUS also introduced what it claims is the world’s first 12-stream tri-band WiFi 8 Mesh system, the ZenWiFi BN12. Much like the routers, the mesh system is scheduled to be available to consumers in October.
The brand says that the ZenWiFi BN12 is designed for large homes and connected households. As such, it comes with 2x LDPC wall-penetration technology, which allegedly supports coverage of up to 7,000 square feet. It also comes with two 10Gbps ports for high-speed wired backhaul between nodes.
The ZenWiFi BN12 also includes subscription-free ASUS AiProtection Pro and customisable Parental Controls. According to the brand, these features help with network security and screen-time management without requiring recurring fees. The system also supports ASUS AiMesh interoperability, allowing it to integrate with compatible existing ASUS setups, or so the company claims.
Global Rollout
As mentioned earlier, ASUS will be rolling out its WiFi 8 routers and mesh systems globally from October, with US availability to be announced separately. However, the company explicitly notes that the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 (BN25000) will be available in Malaysia from mid-October, with pre-orders starting at the end of September. The company says the pre-order details will be announced at a later date.
Thereβs still plenty we donβt know about ASUSβ upcoming products and their availability in Malaysia. For starters, the local arm of the company has yet to confirm if or when it will introduce the GT-BN98 Pro and ZenWiFi BN12 to the Malaysian market. As for the GT-BN98, the company has not revealed the exact pre-order date for the router, let alone its local pricing. To get an idea of how much it could cost, we can look to Canada, where the GT-BN98 Pro is already available for purchase. According to the Canadian website, the model is listed at CAD1,299.99 (~RM3,821). However, some estimates suggest that Malaysian pricing could be higher than this.
(Source: ASUS Malaysia press release)