ASUS appeared at CES 2026 with a set of gaming novelties, but the brightest point among them is the special edition of the ROG Flow model for Kojima fans.
The portfolio presented for 2026 indicates a new, clear direction taken by ASUS: maximizing computing power while relieving the load on central units through dedicated NPU systems. At the heart of this strategy are the refreshed Zephyrus G14 and G16 models, which in the latest iteration become platforms for Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. Offering up to 50 TOPS of computing power exclusively for artificial intelligence tasks, these systems are intended to change the way the laptop manages resources during creative work and gaming.
In the GPU area, Asus decided to implement the Blackwell architecture. The G14 and G16 models were equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 units, which required rebuilding the power and cooling systems. The manufacturer decided to increase the TGP limits by 23%, which in practice means delivering up to 160W of power in the sixteen-inch model. Such high parameters in a slim, CNC-milled aluminum housing require advanced thermal solutions. The ROG Intelligent Cooling system is used here, based on liquid metal, which is intended to prevent throttling under long-term load. The specification is complemented by Nebula HDR matrices with a peak brightness of 1100 nits, which, thanks to the Delta E < 1 certification, are aimed at the segment of video colorization professionals.
Dual-screen and hybrid solutions
An interesting design case is the ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 marked GX651. This design is equipped with two full-size 16-inch ROG Nebula HDR OLED panels with 3K resolution. ASUS has chosen a refresh rate of 120 Hz and an extremely low response time of 0.2 ms. This device, powered by the RTX 5090, uses cooling based on a vapor chamber and graphite sheets, which is necessary with such a dense packing of components and two active matrices. This is a niche product, dedicated to a specific group of recipients who need a much larger working area without the need to connect external monitors.
In parallel, a line created in cooperation with Kojima Productions was developed. The ROG Flow Z13-KJP model is a 2-in-1 hybrid designed by Yoji Shinkawa. Technically, the device is based on the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and the Radeon 8060S graphics system. Here, too, the emphasis was on the NPU (50 TOPS), which suggests that Asus and Kojima’s studio see the future of mobile gaming in process optimization by machine learning algorithms. This cooperation also included peripherals, including Delta II-KJP headphones with 50 mm titanium drivers and the Keris II Origin-KJP mouse weighing 63 grams and equipped with a 42,000 dpi sensor.
Monitors and augmented reality
The monitor market is dominated by OLED panels, but Asus is introducing significant modifications. The ROG Swift OLED PG27UCWM model uses Tandem RGB OLED technology, which eliminates the white sub-pixel to improve the precision of displayed colors. This monitor offers the functionality of changing the operating mode: the user can choose between 4K resolution at 240 Hz and Full HD mode at 480 Hz. In turn, the curved PG34WCDN model received the ROG BlackShield coating, which, according to the manufacturer, increases scratch resistance by 250% and significantly improves the depth of black in bright rooms.
A completely new segment in the offer are the ROG XREAL R1 AR glasses. They use micro-OLED panels with Full HD resolution and a refresh rate of 240 Hz, unprecedented in this category. The device generates a virtual image corresponding to a 171-inch screen, while integrating an audio system developed by Bose. This is an attempt to transfer the experience from a large monitor to a mobile format, which may be applicable to users of portable consoles and people working on the go.
Accessory ecosystem
In the audio area, 2026 brings the ROG Kithara model – open planar headphones developed in cooperation with the HIFIMAN brand. The use of 100 mm drivers suggests a departure from typical gaming sound characteristics in favor of transmission fidelity. For mobile users, ROG Cetra Open Wireless has been prepared with an open-ear design that allows you to maintain contact with the surroundings during use. In the keyboard segment, the key novelty is the Falchion Ace 75 HE, using HFX V2 magnetic switches. They allow you to adjust the activation point in the range from 0.1 to 3.5 mm at a polling rate of 8000 Hz.
Desktop computers
In the desktop computer segment, the ROG G1000 unit is becoming the flagship solution. This device introduces the AniMe Holo holographic fan system, which is used to project images inside the housing. However, from a performance perspective, the ROG Thermal Atrium system is more important. It uses 420 mm AIO liquid cooling and insulated air paths to thermally separate the hottest components. The specification including RTX 5090 or Radeon 9070XT cards and up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory places this set at the forefront of ready-made gaming stations available on the market.
The new offer of X870E motherboards is also worth attention. The Crosshair X870E Glacial model is equipped with a 5-inch LCD screen for monitoring system parameters and an extensive power supply section in a 24+2+2 configuration. The manufacturer implemented NitroPath DRAM technology and four M.2 slots operating in the PCIe 5.0 standard. The AI Advisor and Overclocking systems are designed to automate the optimization process, which until now required manual configuration in the BIOS. For users who prefer a more subdued aesthetic, there is a Dark Hero version with a WiFi 7 module and two USB4 ports, which is becoming a standard in the highest segment of motherboards in 2026.
