I really feel that we’ve reached a degree the place upgrading our units wants a strong, logical cause. At the moment, no gadget could be purchased only for the sake of it, regardless that EMIs have made purchases simpler. Take laptops, for instance. With distant work not as widespread as through the pandemic, and a worldwide reminiscence scarcity driving costs up, shopping for a brand new laptop computer has develop into a extra thought-about resolution. On the identical time, synthetic intelligence is shaping decisions, typically guiding us towards an improve, different instances convincing us to attend.
I stored all of those factors in thoughts whereas reviewing the brand new Asus ZenBook S16, which has been my foremost laptop computer for the previous few days. It’s a premium ultraportable Home windows pocket book powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 465 processor, that includes a refreshed design and a 16-inch OLED panel. Whereas the ZenBook S16 seems to be an iterative improve, my testing revealed a stunning enchancment inside this very acquainted shell.
Right here is my overview.
What: Asus ZenBook S16 | Worth: Rs 1,69,990
Lighter chassis for a 16-inch pocket book (and that keyboard…)
The ZenBook S16 has an unconventional look whereas nonetheless retaining a conventional laptop computer type issue. This is because of the usage of what Asus calls “Ceraluminum”, a end that blends ceramic and aluminum which not solely creates a definite look but additionally provides sturdiness for a laptop computer of this dimension. My loaned unit got here in Scandinavian White, and actually, the end appears vastly totally different from what you get on a MacBook Air.
The pocket book nonetheless comes with all of the important ports: a pair of Thunderbolt 4–succesful USB-C ports, a USB-A port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and even a full-size SD card reader. (Picture: The Indian Categorical/Anuj Bhatia)
The pocket book is pleasantly slim, and the 16-inch laptop computer weighs simply 1.5 kg.
Although it’s not gentle sufficient to be labeled as an ultraportable, it’s very gentle for a 16-inch pocket book. What’s barely totally different within the design, nonetheless, is that Asus has ditched the etched strains on the lid and changed them with easy “Asus Zenbook” lettering within the center.
Whether or not you need to throw it in a backpack or take it to work, the laptop computer is simple to journey with. The charger is compact and ultimate for carrying, however I appreciated how Asus beforehand shipped a mini charger that was much more moveable and smaller in dimension.
The advantage of the ZenBook S16 is that Asus hasn’t trimmed the port choice, which is commonly the case with high-end, mainline flagship notebooks lately. Fortunately, the pocket book nonetheless comes with all of the important ports: a pair of Thunderbolt 4–succesful USB-C ports, a USB-A port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and even a full-size SD card reader. It makes me comfortable to see an SD card reader on a modern-day pocket book that isn’t marketed as a creator laptop computer.
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Whereas reviewing the ZenBook S16, I observed you can reliably open it one-handed – each time. Certain, this may not matter to most individuals, however I believed I ought to share this small micro-detail in regards to the pocket book.
The trackpad and keyboard are among the many finest available on the market. The keys present a clicky, snappy, and tactile expertise, making them nice for typing, one thing I can personally vouch for. In the meantime, the trackpad is large and feels very easy and responsive.
OLED show is unbelievable
Actually, earlier than reviewing the ZenBook S16, I by no means felt the necessity for an OLED show on a pocket book. It appeared like a luxurious reserved for high-end TVs. Now, I really feel an OLED show needs to be commonplace on each premium pocket book.
I’m seeing visuals that look the most effective I’ve ever skilled. Every thing appears nice on the show, together with nature scenes, and on a regular basis pores and skin tones are significantly unbelievable. I streamed Netflix’s The Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough, and the sequence appeared lifelike on the ZenBook S16’s 16-inch OLED display screen, which has a 3K decision and even helps a 120Hz excessive refresh price.
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The ZenBook S16’s 16-inch OLED display screen, which has a 3K decision and even helps a 120Hz excessive refresh price. (Picture: The Indian Categorical/ Anuj Bhatia)
The show can also be nice for modifying photographs and movies, in addition to for studying e-newspaper editions. On high of that, it’s a touchscreen show, although that’s a special matter because the ZenBook S16 isn’t a convertible pocket book. Apple’s MacBooks nonetheless don’t help a touchscreen, nor do they provide an OLED show.
There’s not a lot to say in regards to the ZenBook S16’s onboard audio system. You’ll find two downward-firing audio system, and I can’t say that I used to be both stunned or upset by them. They’re good, however not on par with the audio system on a MacBook Professional.
The efficiency most individuals really need
One of many largest upgrades on the brand new ZenBook S16 (32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB SSD) is the processor powering the pocket book. My overview unit got here with AMD’s new Ryzen AI 9 465 chip, which is without doubt one of the higher-end fashions within the new “Gorgon Level” technology of AMD’s cell processors. The Ryzen AI 9 465 chip has ten cores and 20 threads, break up between 4 full-fat Zen 5 cores and 6 extra environment friendly Zen 5c cores.
It’s primarily a mid-generation refresh of final 12 months’s spectacular Strix Level APUs, with enhancements corresponding to greater enhance clocks and quicker supported reminiscence. It delivered snappy efficiency all through my work and play, effortlessly juggling dozens of browser tabs (together with YouTube movies), WhatsApp internet, and different productiveness apps.
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One of many largest upgrades on the brand new ZenBook S16 (32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB SSD) is the processor powering the pocket book. (Picture: The Indian Categorical/ Anuj Bhatia)
Talking of GPUs, AMD hasn’t drastically improved the built-in graphics; this chip comes with the identical Radeon 880M iGPU as its predecessor. So sure, gaming is feasible on the ZenBook S16. I might run AAA video games at 1080p, however this isn’t a gaming machine. Maintain that in thoughts.
I might additionally like to spotlight that the ZenBook S16 is an AI PC. The chip contained in the pocket book has an NPU, a subsection of the processor that handles AI duties, a lot of which you’ll not realise, corresponding to blurring the webcam background or stay video transcription. In case you are getting an AI-branded PC with an NPU, I might encourage you to attempt AI apps and run free-to-use fashions, corresponding to OpenAI’s GPT-OSS fashions, which can be found to obtain and use regionally by yourself system.
Dependable battery life … however not the most effective available on the market
My pattern unit lasted roughly 10 hours and 12 minutes with an 83 Whr battery. It’s bought good battery life, virtually able to lasting a full working day, however it’s nonetheless not the most effective. Apple’s MacBook Air, for instance, constantly lasts longer, averaging over 15 hours on a single cost.
Asus ZenBook 16 lasted roughly 10 hours and 12 minutes with an 83 Whr battery. (Picture: The Indian Categorical/ Anuj Bhatia)
I used to be fairly stunned that this model has a bigger battery cell (in comparison with the 78 Whr cell within the earlier ZenBook S16), so, technically, the battery life needs to be longer, however it isn’t.
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So, must you purchase the Asus ZenBook S16 (2026)?
The 16-inch Asus ZenBook S16 appears totally different, has a shocking OLED show (it’s a touchscreen too), encompasses a pretty succesful new AMD processor, and comes with a superb keyboard. These qualities make the ZenBook S16 one of many high mainline premium Home windows notebooks available on the market.
Nevertheless, as a client, you also needs to remember that it’s a marginal improve over the ZenBook S16 I reviewed in 2024. Modest year-over-year upgrades to laptops, very like smartphones, are a actuality, and we must always settle for that by now.
In case you are out there for a brand new laptop computer and have the next price range earmarked for a Home windows machine, you may actually take into account the brand new ZenBook S16. However don’t ignore the competitors from different manufacturers, which additionally provide very succesful laptops. You can additionally take into account the previous-generation ZenBook S16 (2024), which is promoting for much less.