Sapphire Unveils Exclusive Radeon RX 9070 XT Nitro+ Variants for Chinese Media

Sapphire has recently distributed unique versions of its flagship Radeon RX 9070 XT Nitro+ graphics card to select Chinese press and influencer channels. Among these special editions, the Phantom Link variant received early video coverage, quickly followed by the unexpected debut of a white-themed model. The Just Buy (if you like it) video channel was among the first to showcase this striking new look, which stands out as a possible first in the Nitro+ lineup.

Traditionally, Sapphire’s premium Nitro+ cards within the RDNA 4 generation feature a distinctive champagne gold finish. However, the unreleased "Aurora Edition" takes inspiration from the company’s PURE series, offering a design that aligns more closely with Sapphire’s upper-mid-range aesthetic. This shift in color scheme signals Sapphire’s intent to diversify its high-end graphics card offerings and appeal to a broader range of PC enthusiasts.

Despite the launch of these new graphics card variants, reviewers have yet to pair them with Sapphire’s own X870EA Wi-Fi Phantom Link Edition motherboard. Instead, the Just Buy channel opted for an ASUS TUF Gaming BTF-type motherboard, which is fully compatible with the Phantom Link system. This system is essentially Sapphire’s rebranded version of the modular GC-HPWR adapter, designed to streamline power delivery and cable management for high-performance GPUs.

During their hands-on sessions, reviewers seamlessly switched between the new Sapphire card and what appears to be a TUF Gaming RTX 5070 Ti BTF White model. This flexibility highlights the growing trend of modular and color-coordinated PC components, catering to users who value both performance and aesthetics in their builds.

Industry Endorsements and Anticipated Launch

The Radeon RX 9070 XT Nitro+ Phantom Link design has received notable industry attention, including a personal endorsement from Tony Yu, general manager of ASUS China. This recognition underscores the card’s significance within the competitive graphics card market.

Industry analysts suggest that Sapphire’s current distribution of press samples is intended to generate excitement ahead of an official unveiling at CES 2026. A broader retail release is expected to follow, giving enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to experience these new designs firsthand. As of now, early previews have focused on the hardware’s design and compatibility, with performance benchmarks and on-screen demonstrations yet to be shared.