ASUS launched a bunch of cool stuff at CES 2024. Typically, we have to wait before these devices can make their way into the country. However, in just over a month after the event, some of these devices have finally arrived in the Philippines—and we got to check them out.
These include two new Zenbook models, the powerful ROG laptops, and even the new ROG Phone 8 series.
So for those of you who watched the CES 2024 coverage from ASUS, it’s time to be excited. But more importantly, it’s time to prepare your wallets.
Table of Contents
ASUS Zenbook Duo (UX8406)
We begin with one of the coolest laptops we got our hands on — the new 2024 ASUS Zenbook Duo (UX8406). The Zenbook Duo has been around for quite some time. But in 2024, ASUS decided to give the dual-screen laptop a major makeover.
Instead of having a monitor and a small touchscreen at the bottom, you now get two 14-inch 3K touchscreen displays. As for the keyboard, it is now a removable unit. You might be thinking a laptop like this should be heavy and bulky right?
Well, that’s not the case. The new Zenbook Duo still lives up to the Zenbook’s philosophy of being slim, light, and easy to carry around.
In terms of design, it is similar to past Zenbook models with the signature line patterns across the lid. From afar, it’s hard to tell the Zenbook Duo apart from other Zenbooks with a closed lid and an unfitted keyboard. It’s only when you open it do you get to see the unique dual-screen design.
ASUS decided to integrate a stand behind the Zenbook Duo, allowing you to use it in multiple ways. You can set it up like a dual-screen laptop, sideways like a book, all up to your preference. You don’t even need to bring the keyboard with you all the time since there’s a virtual keyboard and virtual trackpad.
The 2024 Zenbook Duo runs the new Intel Core Ultra processors, and it can be ordered with up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. Windows 11 Home also comes standard along with the suite of AI assistance features.
You can read more about the 2024 Zenbook Duo (UX8406) in our first impressions article here 34.
ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3405)
The Zenbook 14 has been a staple model in the ASUS lineup for users preferring something light, compact, and portable. And for the 2024 model, ASUS didn’t do anything revolutionary to the Zenbook 14 like the Zenbook Duo.
The only exterior change ASUS made was making it lighter and even more compact than before. It now only weighs just 1.2kg, making it easier to carry around.
As for the size, the laptop now only measures 14.9mm thick when closed. Other exterior changes include the addition of a physical shutter for the webcam for improved privacy protection.
Instead, the majority of the changes are found under the hood and once you open up the laptop. The 2024 Zenbook 14 now features a new 14-inch 3K ASUS Lumina OLED screen, which is not only bright but features vivid colors.
You also get a refresh rate of 120Hz, making it nice to scroll through the menu while browsing the web. It should even be good for gaming, but we didn’t get to try it yet.
Tuned by Harman Kardon with Dolby Atmos technology, the speakers have also been upgraded giving users a better listening experience.
In terms of performance, the new Zenbook 14 runs on the newer Intel Ultra processor, making it better and faster. It can also be ordered with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage.
Read our first impressions of the 2024 Zenbook 14 (UX3405) here 62.
ROG Strix G16/G18 and Strix Scar 16/18
Moving on to the ROG models, there are also updates coming to the Strix and Strix Scar line. The changes aren’t as big as compared to the Zenbook Duo or the Zenbook 14 though. The models look almost identical from the outside, and we can’t fault ASUS for not changing the design.
They still look great to this day, and feature the signature ROG aesthetic.
Instead, most of the changes are hardware-related. For example, the ROG Strix G16 and G18 and the ROG Strix Scar 16 and 18 now feature the latest Intel 14th-gen processors. Depending on the model, these can be ordered with up to an Intel Core i9 14900HX and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU.
The ROG Strix G16 and G18 can also be paired with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. Meanwhile, the Strix Scar 16 and 18 comes with up to 64GB RAM and 4TB of storage.
Perhaps, the biggest upgrade would be the new displays. The ROG Strix G16 and G18 along with the ROG Strix Scar 16 and 18 now come with the ROG Nebula display.
Yes, even the 18-inch models now have the more beautiful ROG Nebula display. The display features over 1100 nits of peak brightness, vivid colors, and even a refresh rate of 240Hz.
2024 ROG Zephyrus G14/G16
The ROG laptops we’re hyped up about though are the new 2024 Zephyrus G14 and G16. ASUS Philippines didn’t have any models on hand, but they did say that it will also be arriving soon. These are the new models launched at CES 2024 that have been redesigned to be slimmer, more compact, and features an all aluminum body.
The lid features a new Slash Lighting in place of the AniMe Matrix lighting from its predecessor. So unfortunately, there’s no more AniMe Matrix for this model. However, you get a slimmer body that makes it more practical to bring a gaming laptop around.
There were no specific details just yet, but the new Zephyrus G14 and G16 are available with either an AMD or Intel processor. At the same time, you get RTX 4000 series laptop GPUs, making for a powerful but very portable gaming laptop.
For those who prefer the design of older Zephyrus models, ASUS Philippines did say they will continue to be on sale alongside the new, slimmer 2024 models.
ROG Phone 8 series
Lastly, we have the new ROG Phone 8 series – the ROG Phone 8 and the ROG Phone 8 Pro. The new ROG Phone 8 series features a radical makeover from the previous model adopting a more minimalist design.
Both phones sport a 6.78-inch Full HD Plus AMOLED display with up to a refresh rate of 165Hz. Powering the devices is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The standard version has 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage. As for the Pro variant, it comes with either 16GB of RAM with 512GB of storage OR 24GB of RAM with 1TB of storage.
As for the cameras, both phones come with a triple rear camera setup. They feature a 50MP Sony IMX890 OIS main, 32MP 3x optical zoom, and 13MP ultrawide with a 32MP selfie shooter. Both devices pack a 5,500mAh battery with 65W Quick Charge 5.0 and PD Charging support.
And like before, there are also a bunch of accessories that will be available including a cooler and more.
No doubt, there’s a lot to expect from ASUS Philippines this year. Over here at YugaTech, we are excited about the new Zenbook Duo and the redesigned ROG Zephyrus models given their makeovers.
At the moment, ASUS Philippines has not revealed the prices, specific variants, and specs that these devices will come with. However, do stay tuned for announcements about the products showcased at CES 2024. But more importantly, readers should know that these devices will also be available for purchase very soon.
Out of all the devices previewed by ASUS Philippines, which one are you really excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Dayummmmm, when will the ROG phone 8 be released??