Tech News

CES 2024: Asus’ New ROG Zephyrus Laptops Come with New Design and OLED Displays

The Zephyrus G14 and G16 gaming laptops get lovely new makeovers, while the less imaginative ROG Strix and Strix Scar get spec bumps.

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Cosbom

Asus has introduced the all-new ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 laptop series at CES 2024, featuring a completely revamped design. The updated look is notably different from the previous generation, which had distinctive Anime Matrix LEDs on the display lid.

The ROG Zephyrus G16 is equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors, ranging from Core Ultra 9 185H to Core Ultra 7 155H. Intel’s NPU chip enhances AI capabilities on the latest Zephyrus G16 laptop. In contrast, the 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 comes with AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, featuring an ‘XDNA 16 TOPs’ neural processor. The new desktop Ryzen 8000G processors unveiled at CES 2024 also incorporate AMD’s Ryzen AI.

Both the Asus Zephyrus G16 and G14 boast Nvidia RTX 40 Series laptop GPUs, with the G16 supporting up to RTX 4090 and the G14 up to RTX 4070 in terms of graphics.

In terms of design, the Zephyrus G14 and G16 feature a clean, CNC aluminum build, presenting a sleek and minimalist appearance. The G14 has a diagonal line on the display lid with configurable LEDs called ‘Slash Lightning.’ Both laptops have reduced overall weight compared to the previous generation, with the G14 weighing 1.5kg and the G16 weighing 1.85kg. The G14 includes a 73 WHr battery, while the larger G16 features a 90 WHr battery.

These laptops are expected to offer good battery life for gaming laptops. For audio, the ROG Zephyrus G16 and G14 feature six-speaker setups, including a 4-speaker “dual force woofer” audio system paired with 2 tweeters.

One significant upgrade is the inclusion of OLED displays in the new G14/16 lineup, supporting GSync. The Zephyrus G16 has a 3K resolution (2880×1880), while the Zephyrus G14 has a 2.5K resolution (2560×1600). The G16 offers up to a 240Hz refresh rate with its OLED panel, while the G14’s OLED display has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Both displays have a 16:10 aspect ratio and are VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certified.

The port options on both of the new Zephyrus laptops are surprisingly plentiful given their slim design. The G14, measuring 0.64 inches (1.59cm) at its thickest point, and the slightly larger G16, at 0.69 inches (1.64cm), offer a good selection. On the G14, you’ll find a left-mounted USB 4 port (which also supports slower charging), a right-side USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports (one on each side), HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card slot. The G16 shares most of these, with a Thunderbolt 4 USB port on the left, a right-side USB-C with Power Delivery, and a full-size SD card slot with UHS-II speeds.

During the Asus press briefing, some concerns were raised about these laptops using a proprietary charge connector instead of a more common barrel plug. However, the slim and reversible power cord was praised, offering a modern alternative. USB-C charging has been a convenient option for general use, and the bulkier 180W and 240W power bricks can be reserved for times when more power is needed, such as during graphically demanding gaming sessions.

The new charging port almost looks like an oversized USB-C, but it’s Asus’ own proprietary (and also reversible) connector. USB-PD charging is available as well.

To address OLED display concerns, Asus will provide OLED care features in its Armoury Crate app, including Pixel Refresh (a special screensaver) and Windows Taskbar Transparency to prevent OLED burn-in.

Pricing and availability details for the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 will be disclosed upon their launch in February 2024. In addition to the latest AMD Ryzen 8000 and Intel Core Ultra CPUs, these laptops include a MUX switch, allowing users to easily define which GPU should be utilized.

For more content from CES 2024 visit cosbom.com/ces-2024

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iPhone 17 Pricing Shock: India Faces Steepest Price Increases in Apple History

Apple just unveiled the iPhone 17 series with some of the steepest price increases ever seen in India—the iPhone 17 Pro Max now starts at a jaw-dropping ₹1,59,990, and even the ‘budget’ iPhone 17 Air costs ₹99,990. Here’s why Indian consumers are getting hit hardest by Apple’s new pricing strategy.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 9, 2025

Cosbom

The numbers are in from Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event, and for Indian consumers, they’re genuinely shocking. What was once considered expensive is now entering luxury car territory, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max starting at ₹1,59,990—making it the most expensive iPhone ever launched in India.

Segments

The Price Breakdown: Prepare Your Wallet

Here’s how Apple’s new pricing structure breaks down across the iPhone 17 lineup in India:

iPhone 17 Series India Pricing:

iPhone 17: ₹89,990 (up from ₹79,900 for iPhone 16)
iPhone 17 Air: ₹99,990 (replacing the Plus model)
iPhone 17 Pro: ₹1,29,900 (up from ₹1,19,900 for iPhone 16 Pro)
iPhone 17 Pro Max: ₹1,59,990 (up from ₹1,34,900 for iPhone 16 Pro Max)

That’s a ₹25,000 increase for the Pro Max model alone—enough to buy a decent mid-range Android phone.

Comparison of iPhone prices in India: 2007 iPhone 3G at ₹31,000 vs 2024 iPhone 16 at ₹79,900 with improved storage

The iPhone 17 Air: Premium Pricing for Compromised Features

Perhaps the most controversial pricing decision is the iPhone 17 Air at ₹99,990. This ultra-thin device, measuring just 5.5mm thick, replaces the iPhone 16 Plus but costs ₹10,000 more than its predecessor.

iPhone with ultra-thin design and single rear camera on a marble surface.

What you get for ₹99,990:

6.6-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate
A19 chip (not the Pro version)
Single rear camera (48MP)
Ultra-thin design prioritizing aesthetics over functionality

What you lose:

Dual camera system
Longer battery life (due to thinness constraints)
Advanced Pro features like ProRAW photography

The pricing suggests Apple is betting Indian consumers will pay premium prices for design over functionality—a risky gamble in a price-sensitive market.

Currency Impact vs. Global Pricing Strategy

Apple’s Indian pricing has historically followed a simple formula: $1 = ₹100. But with the current exchange rate at around ₹87 to the dollar, Apple appears to be padding prices beyond currency fluctuations.

Global Pricing Comparison:

US: iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199
India: ₹1,59,990 (equivalent to $1,839 at current rates)
Effective markup: Nearly 53% over US pricing

This means Indian consumers are paying significantly more than their global counterparts, even accounting for taxes and import duties.

Comparison of iPhone 16 prices across multiple countries in respective currencies showing regional price differences.

The Make in India Paradox

Here’s what makes these price increases particularly frustrating: Apple is now manufacturing all four iPhone 17 models in India through facilities including Tata Group’s plant in Hosur and Foxconn’s Bengaluru unit.

Despite local production—which should theoretically reduce costs—Apple has chosen to increase prices across the board. This suggests the company is prioritizing profit margins over the cost benefits of local manufacturing.

What ₹1.6 Lakh Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)

For the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s ₹1,59,990 starting price, you get:

6.9-inch display with ProMotion
A19 Pro chip with improved graphics
Triple 48MP camera system with 8K video recording
Enhanced thermal management
Wi-Fi 7 support
256GB base storage (finally)

But here’s the reality check: That same ₹1.6 lakh could buy:

A flagship Android phone + a premium laptop
A decent motorcycle
2-3 years of iPhone 16 Pro usage at current depreciation rates
A significant down payment on a car

The Festive Season Gamble

Apple’s timing is strategic but risky. Launching these prices just before India’s festive season—traditionally the biggest sales period—suggests confidence that Indian consumers will absorb the shock.

Pre-order and availability:

Pre-orders: September 12
General availability: September 19
Festive season discounts: Unlikely for at least 3-6 months

The Competition Advantage

These price increases hand significant advantages to competitors:

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (expected around ₹1,20,000):

Similar flagship features at ₹40,000 less
More storage options
Better zoom capabilities

OnePlus, Xiaomi, and other flagship killers now have a massive pricing umbrella to operate under, potentially offering 80% of iPhone features at 50% of the cost.

Why Apple Thinks It Can Get Away With This

Despite the sticker shock, Apple’s pricing strategy isn’t entirely irrational:

Brand loyalty: iPhone users tend to stick with the ecosystem
EMI culture: Many buyers focus on monthly payments rather than total cost
Status symbol: iPhones remain aspirational products in India
Trade-in programs: Older iPhone values help offset upgrade costs

The Real Winners and Losers

Winners:

Apple shareholders (obviously)
Android flagship manufacturers getting pricing umbrella
Older iPhone models getting extended life cycles

Losers:

Indian consumers facing 15-25% price increases
First-time iPhone buyers priced out of the ecosystem
Small retailers unable to move premium inventory

What This Means for the Market

Apple’s aggressive pricing could backfire in a market where smartphone penetration is still growing and price sensitivity remains high. While the company has successfully positioned iPhones as luxury products, there’s a limit to how much the market will bear.

The success of these prices will largely determine whether other premium brands follow suit or use this as an opportunity to gain market share with more reasonable pricing.

Bottom Line: Apple is betting that Indian consumers’ desire for iPhones is price-inelastic. The next few quarters will reveal whether they’re right—or whether they’ve finally priced themselves out of significant market growth.

Will you be upgrading to the iPhone 17 series at these prices, or are these increases finally pushing you toward alternatives? Let us know in the comments.

Tech News

Live Coverage: Apple’s “Awe Dropping” Event (September 9, 2025)

We’re here with the latest on iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 9, 2025

Cosbom

As the world tunes in tonight, here’s Cosbom’s live blog starting at 10:30 PM IST with play-by-play announcements, pricing details, and instant analysis of every major reveal.

10:30 PM — Keynote Kickoff
Tim Cook welcomes the world with “Awe Dropping” title graphics. Live stream quality is crisp, and social feeds are already buzzing.

10:35 PM — AirPods Pro 3

H3 chip, improved ANC, live translation, heart-rate monitoring, improved battery life.

Pricing: $249.

10:40 PM — Apple Watch Series 11 & Ultra 3

Series 11 adds blood-pressure monitoring, brighter display.
Ultra 3 gains satellite texting, advanced health sensors.
Pricing: Series 11 starts at ₹39,990; Ultra 3 at ₹79,900 (India).

10:58 PM — iPhone 17

Dual-lens camera, A19 chip, 6.1″ display.
Price in India: ₹89,990.

11:10 PM — iPhone 17 Air

Ultra-thin 5.5 mm chassis in five colors.
6.6″ 120 Hz display, A19 chip, single 48 MP rear camera.
Price in India: ₹99,990.

11:25 PM — iPhone 17 Pro

Triple-48 MP camera, “horizontal bar” design, 256 GB base.
ProMotion 120 Hz, A19 Pro chip.
Price in India: ₹1,29,900.

11:35 PM — iPhone 17 Pro Max

6.9″ display, advanced thermal system, Wi-Fi 7 support.
256 GB base storage.
Price in India: ₹1,59,990.

11:45 PM — HomePod & Services

HomePod 2 gets spatial audio.
Apple One bundle adds Fitness+ AI-powered workouts.

11:50 PM — Pre-orders & Availability

Pre-orders begin Sept 12 at 5 AM PT (6:30 PM IST).
In-store launch: Sept 19.
iOS/iPadOS/macOS updates roll out Sept 16.

11:50 PM — Closing Remarks
Tim Cook thanks developers and customers. Stream ends with “See you next year” teaser and product montage.

Key Takeaways:

Indian pricing jumps: Air at ₹99,990; Pro Max at ₹1,59,990.
Software rollout (iOS 26, macOS 26) synced with hardware release.
Apple doubles down on health features across wearables.

Stay tuned for in-depth hands-on reviews, detailed feature analyses, and comparison guides coming soon!

This page is being updated live, please reload the page if you don’t see the latest updates. You can also head on to our Live Streams section at live.cosbom.com

Tech News

Apple’s “Awe Dropping” Event: iPhone 17 Air and Everything to Expect This Tuesday

Apple’s biggest product launch in years is just 48 hours away, and the iPhone 17 Air could be the most radical iPhone redesign since the iPhone X. Here’s everything we know about Tuesday’s event.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 7, 2025

Cosbom

Apple’s highly anticipated fall event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at 10 AM PT (10:30 PM IST), promising what could be the company’s biggest product refresh in years.

Concept render of iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air showing their rear designs and camera setups

The iPhone 17 Lineup:

iPhone 17 Air: Ultra-thin at just 5.5mm thick, 6.6-inch 120Hz display, A19 chip
iPhone 17 Pro: Starting at $1,099 (up $100), 256GB base storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Redesigned camera system
Standard iPhone 17: Expected pricing and specs

Major Software Updates:
Apple will announce the official release dates for its 2025 software lineup, all numbered with “26” to represent the September 2025-2026 season:
iOS 26: Features the new “Liquid Glass” user interface, redesigned Camera app, enhanced ChatGPT integration, improved Apple Intelligence capabilities
iPadOS 26: Introduces a completely new windowing system, Preview app for iPad, enhanced Files app with folder customization, Background Tasks for intensive operations
macOS Tahoe 26: New features and improvements for Mac users
watchOS 26: Updated features for Apple Watch
visionOS 26: Updates for Vision Pro headset
The iOS 26 public release is expected around September 15-16, with release candidates available immediately after the September 9 event.