SOC: MediaTek MT7987
RAM: 1GB DDR4
FLASH: 128MB SPI-NAND GD5F1GM7UE
WIFI: Mediatek MT7991 + MT7976
ETH: Airoha AN8855 + EN8811
UART: 3V3 115200 8N1 (Pinout silkscreened / Do not connect VCC)
(https://wikidevi.wi-cat.ru/ASUS_RT-BE59)
(https://www.asus.com/networking-iot-servers/wifi-7/all-series/rt-be59/)
1x 2.5G for WAN,
1x 2.5G for LAN,
3 x 1G LAN,
Unknown about pricing or availability.
AX59U: have 2 USB ports , but have not 2.5Gbit ETH
BE59: have not USB ports, but have 2.5Gbit ETH
CPU have same frequency and core numbers
MT7987 is better, more powerful probably.
The ProArt version of this router (PRT-BE5000) is supposed to have 2 USB ports based on CES 2026 photo. However, ASUSâ website and their marketing material doesnât show this.
Looks like RT-BE59 / RT-BE5000 will be in the US / Canada market after all. FCC documents were uploaded yesterday MSQ-RTBE9D00.
The CES photo, itâs just ax-59u with new name slapped on it.
59u + filogic 850 + BE + 2x 2.5G + 2x RAM = RT-BE59. Definitely more than just slapping a new name; however, I think a lot of people will be disappointed in "wifi7" and the lack of 6Ghz. All comes down to price.
BT8 is ~$180. BE59 needs to be $100-$120.
https://www.asus.com /us/ networking-iot-servers/wifi-7/all-series/rt-be59/
Looks like a USA/NA release will happen. I get the feeling they will try to sell this @$150 MSRP and no one will buy it given the BT8.
https://shop.asus.com/us/90ig0ae0-ma1c0v-rt-be59.html
$179.99 @ Asus US webshop. 
I would just go buy a BT8.
edit: Amazon US
Released everywhere now.
(BT8 is also down to $190-$200 making this still a tough sell.)
Why get the Asus BT8 instead? Is the BT8 fully compatible with OpenWRT?
Yes, it is.
No bugs or limitations?
Knock yourself out Support for Asus ZenWiFi BT8 Tri-band Wifi7 (Mediatek MT7988).