Gaming

ASUS ROG Flow X16 review: Great on its own

No additional accessories needed for good performance

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ASUS ROG exits 2022 and enters 2023 with a renewed lineup of gaming laptops that will bring the power into the new year. As they continually bring the firepower every year, their ROG Flow series adds another powerful device to the lineup for everyone to experience. With this one, however, it feels like it can stand on its own for what it brings to the table.

The newest addition to the Flow series is the ASUS ROG Flow X16, a 2-in-1 machine rocking powerful hardware and a myriad of possibilities. Essentially, what you have here is an all-rounder of a device fit for the creative professionals and the competitive gamers. It even comes with some nifty accessories, although not the one you usually expect with this series.

So, is the ROG Flow X16 for 2022 something worth bringing into the new year?

Well-built and well-processed

From the inside and out, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is just built different as a gaming machine. Inside, the device comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and an RTX 3060 — a decent combination of hardware that produces great performance across the board. Whether it’s for a ton of data analytics or gaming VOD recording and reviews, this machine can handle it all.

What also helps its case is that 16:10 WQHD anti-glare display that helps you house multiple windows on a single screen. In essence, multitasking would be a total breeze, especially when you have reports to finish or gaming streams to watch while you work. Plus, it has a refresh rate of 165Hz which is great for a lot of things, but let’s get into that later on.

Overall, the ROG Flow X16 boasts fantastic hardware fit for both the casual and competitive gamer. Also, if you’re more of a work in the day type of person, this device definitely gives you more than everything you need to get through, on paper.

For the uber competitive ones

It wouldn’t be an ASUS ROG machine if this laptop was not tailor-fit for gaming at a high level. For starters, the RTX 3060 inside the ROG Flow X16 provides great frame rates for most competitive titles out there, especially when under the proper settings. If you want to turn up the detail just a little bit, the GPU can also handle that with ease — no eGPU needed,

As per usual, RTX-powered mobile machines still can’t produce a balance of stellar graphics at stellar frame rates for games that support ray-tracing. Such is the case for the ROG Flow X16, although at least games like Fortnite and Cyberpunk 2077 managed to hit a stable 40 FPS reading. Details were great, and performance was a bit more stable than other GPUs, but again, it’s more for an overall aesthetic look.

Also, going back to the 165Hz refresh rate display, the ROG Flow X16 makes a case for the more ideal on-the-go competitive gaming machine. The 16:10 display gives more screen space to look around in-game, and the 1ms response rate allows you to quickly react to elements in a blink of an eye. 

To make beautiful art with

One detail we haven’t mentioned too much yet about the ROG Flow X16 is that, well, it’s also a 2-in-1 device with a touch display. As a staple with all other Flow models, this machine works a ton of wonders for those who like handwritten notes during meetings or doodle as their productive time. Along with a touch display, the ROG Flow X16 comes with a dedicated ASUS Pen for you to do all of these.

The display doesn’t show any signs of being hypersensitive to unnecessary touches from the wrist, which is good when used with the pen. This way, all your sketches and notes will look relatively organized without any unnecessary strokes in the way. Also, this is even helpful when you’re dabbling with photo and video editing.

With the 165Hz refresh rate for this display, you’ll be able to observe and act on any frames you may have missed out in your editing process. Whether it’s the mouse or ASUS Pen, your choice of input will allow you to be as pixel-perfect as possible when creating your masterpiece.

Just a few hygiene checks in there

Like most gaming laptops, the ROG Flow X16 comes with a decent battery in terms of lifespan and charge time. On average, the device lasts for about 8-9 hours on a single charge with regular use, which is pretty standard. Charging time back to 100 percent with the 280W charging brick takes about two hours at least.

Port selection on this device is great, with the inclusion of the dedicated port for the eGPU but they’re mostly placed on the left hand side. Although it seems like a good substitute over having the ports at the rear, it might not be for everyone. Also, some of the USB Type-A ports are on the right, so you’ll need to adjust your wired peripherals if you play a certain way.

This device also comes with an HD camera nestled at the top of the screen and under the display. In terms of photo and video quality, it’s decent for most video conferences and a bit of a grainy selfie for a wallpaper. If for streaming though, you’re better off getting the ROG Eye with this laptop.

Is the ROG Flow X16 your GadgetMatch?

At PhP 149,995, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is a great 2-in-1 device that holds its own with nothing extra needed. With powerful hardware embedded inside a relatively slim form factor, it has everything you need for work and play. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a content creator at heart, you won’t go wrong with this as an option.

Granted, you can upgrade the ROG Flow X16 into a gaming powerhouse with all the extra peripherals ASUS has to offer. From the ROG Eye to their own dedicated eGPU, to achieve the best, you will simply want a lot more added to the table. However, even when these aren’t in your budget, the device performs well enough to not need them anyway.

Even with a hefty price tag, this 2-in-1 laptop only provides the best performance possible with minimal sacrifices. It’s portable and powerful enough for you to work hard and play even harder wherever you go!

CES 2026

The ROG Flow Z13-KJP brings your Death Stranding dreams to life

The special gaming tablet was designed with Kojima Productions.

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Whenever a gaming studio partners with a new device, it’s always a hit or miss. While some partnerships elevate the design of their devices, some end up with tacky decals or obnoxious themes. Thankfully, 2026 is starting off with a dose of the former. During CES 2026, ROG has announced a partnership with Kojima Productions for the ROG Flow Z13-KJP.

Especially apparent through the Death Stranding duology, Kojima Productions has a uniquely futuristic aesthetic. The studio even has a similarly clad mascot called Ludens, a knight-like EVA suit. The studio is lending its designs to a special edition of the iconic ROG Flow Z13.

The gaming tablet features the gold, black, and white designs of the studio. It incorporates carbon fiber to make the whole design lighter. It also has a uniquely shaped keyboard cover with custom font for the keys.

Plus, the package comes with a carrying case reminiscent of the packages carried by Death Stranding’s Sam Porter Bridges. It also has a custom Ludens-inspired Armoury Crate theme.

Inside, the ROG Flow Z13-KJP features the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, paired with the Radeon 8060S GPU. It has up to 128GB LPDDR5X 8000 RAM and 1TB of internal storage. The touchscreen display has durable Gorilla Glass DXC protection. Finally, the 70Wh battery supports fast charging, which can juice up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

Pairing with the tablet, ROG is also launching KJP versions of the ROG Delta II, the ROG Scabbard II, and the ROG Keris II Origin.

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CES 2026

ROG reenergizes its lineup for 2026

Some old faces just made a comeback.

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Last year was a great time for gaming laptops. New notebooks presented themselves as worthy alternatives to bigger gaming rigs. Now, because the prices of components are rising to staggering levels, ready-to-play devices are more important than ever. For CES 2026, ROG is firing the first barrage by announcing a trove of notebooks and PCs coming this year.

ROG Zephyrus G Series

The ROG Zephyrus G14 ended up becoming my favorite laptop last year. The reinvented series featured a smoother design highlighted by slash lighting. Apparently, the design was so good that ROG is staying with the motif this year.

The 2026 Zephyrus G series will still feature the same slash lighting but with a few improvements. For one, the panel now has a new light that will alert users when the power is low. Otherwise, it’s the same lovable laptop series with beefed up specs.

Inside, it has an improved ROG Nebula HDR OLED screen that boasts up to 1000nits of brightness. It displays images in 2880 x 1800 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate.

Performance-wise, the Zephyrus G14 and G16 will have a mix between a next-gen Intel Core Ultra chipset and an AMD Ryzen AI chipset. They will have up to 64GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 2TB of internal storage. The series will feature the GeForce RTX 50 series, going up to a 5090. Finally, the 250W (200W for the lowest variant) can juice up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

ROG Zephyrus Duo

Arguably the highlight of ASUS’s presentation for CES 2026, the Zephyrus Duo reimagines the dual-screen gaming notebook for 2026. The last time we saw the Zephyrus Duo, it had a tiny secondary screen that redefined the design of a gaming notebook but ultimately didn’t maximize the potential of having two displays.

Now, the 2026 version has two fully functional 16-inch screens. Both offer 3K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, touchscreen capabilities, and ROG Nebula HDR technology. Finally, the Duo offers two screens laid side by side. Completing the device is a wireless Bluetooth keyboard you can prop under the two screens.

In terms of usage, users can set the device up in laptop mode (with the keyboard laid over the second screen), sharing mode (like a board game between two friends), book mode (like a foldable phone), and tent mode (for more immersive gaming).

It’s not just a gimmick laptop, either. The Zephyrus Duo has some serious firepower inside. It features a next-gen Intel Core Ultra processor, a GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, 64GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of internal storage.

ROG G1000

If you still prefer larger setups, ROG also launched a new pre-built PC for your needs. This year, the ROG G1000 is getting a huge revamp with AniMe Holo. The fan-powered technology displays custom images that look like they’re floating inside the tower. It even supports your own images and videos.

Under the hood, the ROG G1000 features up to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor and an ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 GPU. It also has up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM and up to 4TB of SSD storage.

With the new tri-zone airflow design and liquid cooling, the G1000 keeps cool even under intense gaming sessions.

ROG Kithara

Gaming headsets aren’t the best if you’re also an audiophile. The ROG Kithara aims to be different. Importantly, ROG isn’t alone in developing the headset; they had the help of HiFiMAN.

The headset comes with the audio brand’s planar magnetic drivers for an improved sound. It features an ultra-wide frequency response of 8Hz to 55kHz. It has smoother sound with less distortion and more immersion. The open-back design ensures that the sound is much grander.

It also comes with a MEMS boom mic that boasts clearer sound for comms. With a dual input for sound and communication, the setup ensures uninterrupted sound for your teammates.

ROG Cetra Open Wireless

Finally, ROG unveiled a new set of earbuds for both gaming and everyday use. The hook-type earbuds sits comfortably over your ear with an open-ear design, making sure that you’re still connected to your surroundings amid the music.

If you want to keep the world away, the earbuds come with four mics working together for better noise cancellation. It has immersion mode for gentler noise reduction and phantom bass for stronger response from the lower end of the spectrum. It has dual mode connectivity, so you can listen from two different sources simultaneously.

For convenience, the Cetra comes with physical buttons, so you don’t have to fiddle around with finicky controls. It’s IPX5 rated for water resistance. It’s also expected to last up to 16 hours on a single charge.

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Gaming

Unlocking the iPad Mini’s gaming potential with the GameSir G8+ MFi

Gaming handheld feel

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GameSir G8+ MFi

There’s a point where mobile gaming stops feeling like a compromise and starts feeling intentional. For the iPad mini, that moment usually comes when you stop treating it like a stretched-out phone and start using it like the compact gaming console that it can be. The GameSir G8+ MFi is designed precisely for that shift.

Designed like it belongs

GameSir G8+ MFi

At first glance, the G8+ MFi looks like a premium console controller that’s been split down the middle. The gray-and-white colorway feels clean and understated, more lifestyle accessory than gamer toy.

It doesn’t scream for attention, but once your iPad mini snaps into place, it immediately reframes the entire experience. This isn’t just an add-on. It feels like a missing piece.

Plug-and-play, the iOS way

GameSir G8+ MFi

What makes the G8+ MFi instantly approachable is its official MFi certification. There’s no pairing process to fuss over, no settings rabbit hole to fall into. You plug it in through the built-in Type-C connector and it just works.

Inputs register instantly, games recognize it properly, and latency simply isn’t part of the conversation. That plug-and-play reliability is a big deal on iOS, where controller support can feel inconsistent depending on the accessory.

Built to fit more than phones

The ultra-wide stretch design is the other quiet hero here. With support for devices from 125mm to 215mm, the G8+ MFi holds the iPad mini securely without feeling overextended or awkward. It will work with any Type-C device that fits within that range, whether it’s a compact tablet or a larger smartphone.

Weight distribution matters when you’re gaming for longer sessions, and GameSir gets this right. The controller grips take the strain off your hands, so the iPad mini never feels top-heavy or uncomfortable, even after extended play.

Console-grade comfort and control

Once you start playing, the console-grade ambition of the G8+ MFi becomes obvious. The laser-textured grips add just enough friction to feel secure without being abrasive. The mechanical D-pad is crisp and responsive, especially noticeable in fighting games and platformers where precise inputs matter.

GameSir G8+ MFi | Zenless Zone Zero

This made playing Zenless Zone Zero and NBA 2K26 Apple Arcade Edition even more engaging. Everything feels deliberate, as if the controller was tuned for real gameplay rather than quick demos.

Hall Effect precision, no drift

GameSir G8+ MFi

The Hall Effect sticks and triggers are the standout feature, and not just on paper. In use, the sticks feel smooth and consistent across their full range of motion, with none of the dead-zone uncertainty that cheaper mobile controllers suffer from.

Because they rely on non-contact magnetic sensors, stick drift isn’t something you have to worry about creeping in months down the line. The triggers mirror that same philosophy. They’re analog, smooth, and responsive, and with hair-trigger mode enabled, they snap into instant-response territory that works especially well for shooters and racing games.

Customization that actually matters

GameSir G8+ MFi

Customization is another area where the G8+ MFi leans into enthusiast territory without becoming overwhelming. The magnetic faceplate pops off easily, letting you swap ABXY layouts or thumbsticks depending on your preference.

Two rear buttons sit right where your fingers naturally rest, and they’re fully remappable for quick actions or shortcuts. It’s the kind of flexibility you appreciate more over time, especially when you start tailoring controls to specific games.

Immersion without compromise

GameSir G8+ MFi

GameSir also didn’t skimp on immersion. Dual asymmetric vibration motors provide feedback that feels purposeful rather than noisy. Explosions, collisions, and subtle environmental cues come through clearly, adding texture to gameplay without becoming distracting.

Combined with the wired connection and pass-through charging, it encourages longer sessions without the usual battery anxiety.

After spending time with the GameSir G8+ MFi, it’s hard to go back to touch controls or generic Bluetooth pads. It turns the iPad mini into something closer to a dedicated handheld console—one that feels focused, comfortable, and capable.

For anyone serious about mobile gaming on iOS, this controller doesn’t just improve the experience. It completes it.

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