Forget Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8 has already arrived at CES

In a CES 2026 surprise reveal, new Wi-Fi 8 routers have been unveiled – not long after Wi-Fi 7 just stated to go mainstream.

The jump forward in internet connectivity comes in the form of the Asus ROG NeoCore Wi-Fi 8 router. This is built to offer ultra-stable internet connections which are ideal for the AI demands that are arriving and still incoming.

The Asus ROG range is typically associated with high-end gaming setups. So while this router represents the future of internet connectivity, it's also perfectly targeted at gamers that want the very lowest latency and fastest online speeds.

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Wi-Fi 8, in this router, will offer double mid-range throughput and double the width of IoT coverage. For gamers, the really sweet spot is that this delivers six times lower latency thanks to smarter multi-AP and multi-client operations. And that's compared to the latest Wi-Fi 7 too – impressive.

So while Wi-Fi 8 is coming to lower latency, it's also about enhanced levels of stability and therefore reliability. That is exactly the point when it comes to the high demands of AI – something due to be far more prevalent in the coming months and years.

Wi-Fi 8 also offers stability in denser environments. So where routers can interfere with each other on older systems, Wi-Fi 8 uses intelligent spectrum coordination – making it ideal for use in flats.

Tenlong Deng, general manager of Asus' wireless and networking department, said: "WiFi 8 is not just about chasing peak speed – it’s about making every connection smarter and more reliable."

Asus ROG NeoCore: pricing and availability

The Asus ROG NeoCore Wi-Fi 8 router will arrive alongside a set of mesh systems and routers. These, Asus says, will arrive "in 2026".

Expect them to appear later this year therefore, with a range of pricing to reflect how much kit you're opting for.

To get an idea, the current top-end Asus ROG Rapture Wi-Fi 7 router is priced at £491 and the Asus ROG Strix is £349.