Asus ROG NeoCore Wi-Fi 8 Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
Asus previewed the ROG NeoCore Wi-Fi 8 router at CES 2026
The router will focus on wireless stability and reliability.
Asus' first Wi-Fi 8 routers are slated for release later this year.
It feels like only yesterday that Wi-Fi 7 arrived, ushering in an era of faster home networking. Yet the industry is already looking forward as Wi-Fi 8 is just around the corner. At CES 2026, Asus previewed what could be the very first Wi-Fi 8 router, the ROG NeoCore.
It's important to note that this is only a proof of concept. There's no guarantee the ROG NeoCore will actually launch -- at least not in its current form. Its icosahedron shape is visually striking. I've never seen a router look anything remotely like this.
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It's hard for me to imagine something like this fitting neatly on a side table or tucked behind the TV next to the modem. I suspect Asus will opt for a more practical, boxy design for its eventual Wi-Fi 8 router, as the cost of its sci-fi flair may outweigh its benefits. ZDNET's Kyle Kucharski saw the NeoCore in person and told me that it comes with a hook for wall mounting. So, there's a chance the 20-sided shape could stay.
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