Asus ROG Phones become collector's items, resale prices rise after market exit

Following Asus's announcement in January to gradually phase out of the mobile phone market, its ROG Phone series of gaming smartphones has become increasingly difficult to find, both new and used. This scarcity has unexpectedly driven up the resale prices of these devices.

According to data from a retail chain, two older ROG Phone models made it into the top three for resale value appreciation in April 2026. The ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition (24GB/1TB) saw its monthly resale price surge by NT$2,710, reaching a high of NT$9,130. Another model, the ROG Phone 8 (16GB/512GB), increased by NT$1,650, with a top resale price of NT$6,470. This trend stands in stark contrast to many other Android phones, whose prices have been declining.

The ROG Phone 8 series, released in 2024, received high praise for its significant design overhaul. Asus notably reduced the pronounced "gaming" aesthetic, making the overall style more akin to mainstream flagship phones. The series also introduced IP68 water and dust resistance and wireless charging for the first time. Camera specifications were also upgraded, including a 32-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, addressing key areas previously criticized by users.

The resale rankings highlight the strong loyalty of the gaming phone's user base, even though it caters to a niche market. As the ROG Phone series moves towards becoming a "discontinued model," many long-time users now view these devices not just as phones but as collector's items. This shift has unexpectedly increased their demand in the second-hand market.