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Wi-Fi 8 Arrives: Asus Router Pushes Future Speeds Now
2 Nov
Summary
- Asus ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro offers Wi-Fi 8 speeds ahead of final standards.
- The massive router boasts extensive ports and a silent, cool thermal design.
- Despite a $900 price tag, it delivers superior performance and future-proofing.
Asus is offering a preview of Wi-Fi 8 with its new ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro gaming router, based on the draft specification. This substantial device, featuring eight antennas and a striking design, prioritizes performance and reliability. It includes a 10Gbps WAN/LAN port, two 10 Gbps LAN ports, and four 2.5Gbps ports, supporting high-speed connectivity.
The router operates on four bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and two 6 GHz bands), all supporting advanced Wi-Fi 8 technologies for theoretical speeds up to 11.5 Gbps on the 6 GHz bands. Real-world testing shows speeds up to 3 Gbps in the same room and 350 Mbps at a distance, outperforming current Wi-Fi 7 models.
Beyond raw speed, Wi-Fi 8 focuses on stability and low latency, with features like adaptive Quality of Experience and AI-driven optimization for gaming. Asus continues its commitment to avoiding subscriptions, bundling services like a year of NordVPN and robust firmware with extensive customization options.
Despite its $900 cost and early-adopter status, the GT-BN98 Pro provides a significant performance leap. It outperforms other Wi-Fi 8 routers tested and offers superior future-proofing as Wi-Fi 8 devices become more common.
