In late 2023, 2x2:2 routers are hardly midrange. They are barely entry-level. And, unless you're working for Asus, or are a reseller, there is no way to tell how well they are selling either (globally or locally).
I have no doubt the drivers/firmware are not mature. I haven't seen any hardware that I can claim that for the last 30 years or more.
You still haven't specified what issues you're having. Nor, what steps you've taken to eliminate those issues.
Hardware on its own isn't interesting. The firmware/software, drivers/SDK, and kernel level are, along with that hardware, what would make a specific model worthy of more immediate attention. Regardless of when that hardware was introduced.
From my point of view, Asus releasing a 2x2:2 router today means they are not too serious about the performance/experience it offers. Not their target market at that price point.
If you know/expect better of the equipment, you bought the wrong model in my opinion.
The post I made below is still relevant today, almost two years later, except for the part about the RT-AX86U which is now known to not be worthy of 3.0.0.6.xxx level firmware from Asus and therefore not recommended anymore for a long-term purchase as a main router.
Good morning everyone, i need some help choosing a new router for my home setup. First thing bear with me for my english, I'm not a native speaker. Anyway in the next months I'm getting finally a ftth connection (1gbit/300mbit profile) and i would like to change my actual router. My current...
www.snbforums.com
Why? Because stable/reliable and performant models aren't created merely by new hardware.
Those models are proven not just with their performance performing up to their specs, but also by the stability and reliability of their combined drivers, SDK, and hardware over many months/years and many different environments they've been used in.
Not picking at this model which I've never used before (and will never consider trying either), but it has similar limitations as the much better (for today) RT-AX86U. A single 2.5GbE port is not something that is effectively usable (if you actually want a 2.5GbE network). USB 3.2 isn't a selling point either. For scripts, even USB 2.0 still works very well. Using any consumer router as a NAS is just gambling with performance/stability, security, or all.
160MHz width is limited on 2x2:2 RF setups, so that isn't even a selling point.
Even that 1.7GHz 4-core CPU doesn't mean anything on its own. The specs/details are important for CPUs and I'm sure they're much less than the nominal 300MHz may show vs. the GT-AX6000's 2GHz quad cores, for example.
Marketing may make the TUF series seem like a contender. Unfortunately, reality lights them differently.
As you're seeing.
Why don't you start a thread on the actual shortcomings of the model, and maybe a solution will be discovered?