ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro hits $920 as WiFi 8 era begins with focus on reliability

The WiFi 8 era has officially arrived with the launch of the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series, a move that matters because it shifts the focus from raw speed to reliability for high-density networks. ASUS claims that new technologies like UEQM and NPCA significantly reduce latency in crowded environments, which is a practical upgrade for gamers and heavy users who struggle with connection drops. We see this as a necessary step forward, as early WiFi 8 products prioritize stability over the raw throughput gains of previous generations.

ASUS launches quad-band WiFi 8 routers with 30000Mbps speeds and 10Gbps ports

The router lineup includes the GT-BN98Pro (model BN30000) and the GT-BN98 (model BN25000), both featuring a quad-band design and up to 30000Mbps total wireless speed. These devices are built around a 2.6GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of memory, supported by eight external high-gain antennas to maintain strong signals. ASUS also announced the ZenWiFi BN12 Mesh system, which offers a 12-stream tri-band configuration for broader home coverage.

Spec comparison

Technical specifications highlight the hardware's readiness for the new standard, with wired ports including two 10Gbps connections and four 2.5Gbps LAN ports. The GT-BN98Pro is listed at 1299.99 CAD (around $920) in Canada, where it began appearing on retail shelves in September 2024. ASUS Marketing stated, "Here it comes! The WiFi 8 era is here!" as the company prepares for a wider rollout.

Global availability for the full WiFi 8 product line is scheduled for October 2024, though domestic pricing and exact release dates for China remain unannounced due to pending regulatory approvals for the 6GHz band. We have been tracking the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 closely, and our earlier coverage on ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro is available for those interested in the initial announcements. The full 802.11bn standard is expected to be finalized in 2028, but early adopters can now access these devices.

ASUS claims that WiFi 8 mid-range throughput can reach up to twice that of WiFi 7, according to measurements presented at CES 2026. This performance boost, combined with the reliability improvements, positions the GT-BN98 series as a premium option for users seeking future-proof networking hardware. Buyers should note that while the technology is here, the final industry standard is still years away, making these devices early implementations of the new protocol.