Is the Asus ROG Phone 9 FE Just a Rebranded ROG Phone 8?

Asus appears to be following in Samsung’s footsteps with a new “Fan Edition” (FE) model for its ROG Phone series.

Certification documents from Malaysia and Thailand confirm that the company is working on the ROG Phone 9 FE, a more affordable version of the already available ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro.

While the specs of the ROG Phone 9 FE remain a mystery, we can speculate based on the device’s model number.

The FE version is likely to borrow heavily from the previous ROG Phone 8, as the model number for the FE is strikingly similar to the ROG Phone 8’s AI2401.

This suggests that the ROG Phone 9 FE could be a rebranded version of the ROG Phone 8, re-released in 2025 under a new name to refresh its appeal.

Given Asus’ pattern of using the FE suffix to offer high-end specs at a lower price, we expect some downgrades in comparison to the flagship ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro.

This could include a less powerful chipset or fewer premium features, but the lower price tag will likely make it an attractive option for gamers seeking performance on a budget.

The ROG Phone 9 FE is shaping up to be a cost-effective alternative for gamers who want the ROG experience without the high-end price.

While details are scarce, it seems like Asus is bringing its own version of Samsung’s popular FE strategy to the gaming phone market. We’ll keep an eye out for more details as they emerge.

Takeaway: The Asus ROG Phone 9 FE is expected to be a more affordable version of the flagship ROG Phone 9, possibly rebranding the older ROG Phone 8 with some spec downgrades to keep the price low.