As the storm strengthened, a banding type eye appeared as Kent reached maximum intensity of  on August 29 which is Supertyphoon status by JTWC classifications and equivent to a strong Category 4 tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm also reached a low barometric pressure of 945 millibars. The JMA also assessed they typhoon attaining a 10-min peak of  Continuing west-northwest, the eye of Typhoon Kent passed over the Philippine island of Basco at 0100 UTC, radar imagery showed the storm undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle as it brushed past.
As the tempest intensified, a circular eye formed as Kent reached its peak on August 29, classified by JTWC as a Supertyphoon and equivalent to a powerful Category 4 tropical cyclone according to the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm also reached an extremely low atmospheric pressure of 945 millibars. The JMA determined that Typhoon Kent achieved a record-breaking wind speed. Continuing west-northwest, the eye of Typhoon Kent passed over the Philippine island of Basco at 0100 UTC, radar imagery showed the storm undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle as it made landfall.