RT-AC68R vs RT-AC68U confusion

[Jume]

I'm hoping someone here will have the definitive answer to what, if anything, is the difference between the two routers. I've searched this site and others and have found conflicting answers to this apparently common question. Most responses state the only difference is the sales venue (R= retail, e.g. Best Buy while U= online distribution). In fact, that is what ASUS customer phone support told me when I inquired prior to purchase.
I noticed that their online support often updates firmware for the U but not the R at the same time; this has been the case with their latest update:

RT-AC68U
Version 3.0.0.4.378.4585

RT-AC68R
Version 3.0.0.4.378.4376

If both routers are indeed identical, I figured I could use the 4585 to update my R router but thought I should double-check before doing so. I emailed ASUS customer support and was told not to use the U firmware to update my R router. I replied that they might be giving me incorrect information since their telephone support (and as I mentioned, many forum and review sites), assured me they were the same hardware and features. I received the following reply:
"I understand your frustration, and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we have caused you."

"I would like to mention that RT-AC68U has got additional VPN features like
OpenVPN server,PPTP client,L2TP client,OpenVPN client, when compared to RT-AC68R."

"Updating different router's firmware that might cause damages to your product."

Please understand that I am not nearly as knowledgeable as most of you here so I'm hoping for the "right answer" once and for all! Many thanks!

 

[L&LD]

They are the same. Just search harder for a confirmation from RMerlin and Tim Higgins on the forums here.

 

[staticfree]

I'm hoping someone here will have the definitive answer to what, if anything, is the difference between the two routers. I've searched this site and others and have found conflicting answers to this apparently common question. Most responses state the only difference is the sales venue (R= retail, e.g. Best Buy while U= online distribution). In fact, that is what ASUS customer phone support told me when I inquired prior to purchase.
I noticed that their online support often updates firmware for the U but not the R at the same time; this has been the case with their latest update:

RT-AC68U
Version 3.0.0.4.378.4585

RT-AC68R
Version 3.0.0.4.378.4376

If both routers are indeed identical, I figured I could use the 4585 to update my R router but thought I should double-check before doing so. I emailed ASUS customer support and was told not to use the U firmware to update my R router. I replied that they might be giving me incorrect information since their telephone support (and as I mentioned, many forum and review sites), assured me they were the same hardware and features. I received the following reply:
"I understand your frustration, and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we have caused you."

"I would like to mention that RT-AC68U has got additional VPN features like
OpenVPN server,PPTP client,L2TP client,OpenVPN client, when compared to RT-AC68R."

"Updating different router's firmware that might cause damages to your product."

Please understand that I am not nearly as knowledgeable as most of you here so I'm hoping for the "right answer" once and for all! Many thanks!

Before you start getting bashed for asking this question, I will clear it up for you as it has been answered over and over on these forums. See the very first thread on this forum!
The two routers are exactly the same and you can use the firmware for the AC68U for the AC68R and vice versa.
There is also a newer AC-68P model that is sold only by BestBuy stores that has a faster CPU but it also uses the same exact firmware as the AC68U.
So you can go ahead and load the latest AC68U firmware on your AC68R and AC68P.

 

[sm00thpapa]

68U, 68R, 68W and 68P all can run the U firmware. The 2 posts above answered your question.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jume]

Thank you all for the quick replies. You were, of course, correct and the update worked just fine!

 

[sm00thpapa]

Good glad it worked out for you. You own a damn good router my friend.

 

[ZachPA]

Good glad it worked out for you. You own a damn good router my friend.

I'll second that.