Asus Zenbook S16 review: The greatest ultrabook of them all
This article contains affiliate links. The products or services listed have been selected independently by journalists after hands-on testing or sourcing expert opinions. We may earn a commission when you click a link, buy a product or subscribe to a service.
Our Rating: 9/10
We like:
Sumptuous OLED touchscreen
Potent yet efficient AMD chipset
Long battery life
We don't like:
Can get warm when stressed
Limited upgrade options
The webcam should be better
What is the Asus Zenbook S16?
The phrase 'ultrabook' was first coined by Intel back in 2011 to denote a thin and light laptop that met an exacting list of features set by Intel, including using a modern Intel CPU. Since then, it's become a generic term taken to mean any high-end thin and light laptop with a screen size above 15 inches, which is why I'm here using it to apply to a laptop with an AMD processor – an Intel rival.
The new Asus Zenbook S16 is far more than just another thin and light laptop though. Thanks to the latest generation of AMD's processors and the company's design, this is a Windows laptop that can match or better the best that Apple can offer with its MacBook Air and Pro machines in terms of performance, quality, design and value.
How we test laptops
I have been a technology journalist for over 15 years, testing everything from laptops and electric cars, to tablets and audio systems. Over the years, I've used all the operating systems, though these days I've settled down to Windows, Linux and Android. As the saying goes, 'the best operating system is the one you're most familiar with'.
When we test laptops here at The Telegraph, we focus on five testing metrics: design and usability, keyboard and touchpad, display and audio, performance and configurations, and battery life. However, we don't just look at scores on a spreadsheet.
We use the laptops we're testing as our main laptops and in my case, that means lots of typing, using them on the go, general web browsing, emails and other basic productivity tasks, as well as gaming – the latter especially if the laptop has a graphics card. This gives us a good idea of what they are capable of, how long the battery lasts and how they handle intense tasks.
Design and usability: 10/10
The Zenbook S16 is made from something that Asus calls Ceraluminium, a substance that combines the strength of aluminium and the tactile finesse of ceramic. Such made-up substances are usually more marketing flannel than fact but this new finish from Asus is impressive.
With its engraved lid and drilled vent panel, I'd say the Zenbook S16 is the most visually interesting and attractive laptop on the market. The Ceraluminium finish also resists greasy fingerprints so the Zenbook S16 looks good even after a day at the office.
The S16 weighs just 1.35kg, which is 200g lighter than the 16-inch MacBook Pro and measures up at 353.6 x 243 x 12.9mm (WDH). Despite the lightness, it feels solid and meets the US MIL-STD 810H standard for resistance to shocks, vibration and particle ingress, so it will withstand a little abuse too.
There are two colours available: Scandinavian White and Zumaia Gray. My review machine looks stunning in the former, showing off the angular design and Asus trademark chrome strips on the lid.
Asus has found room for plenty of ports too so you get two USB-C ports, a HDMI 2.1 video output, 3.5mm audio socket, USB-A port and an SD card reader. The USB-C ports may not carry Thunderbolt 4 branding but they perform the same, transmitting data at 40Gbps and supplying video in DisplayPort Alt Mode.
If I had to criticise the design, it would be that the lid hinge is just a little too stiff to be opened with just one hand and both the USB-C ports are on the same side and next to each other so things can get a bit crowded.
Wireless communications are fully up to date with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Getting inside the Zenbook S16 is an easy job but there's no room for a second SSD and the RAM and wireless modules are all soldered in place so there's no opportunity for upgrades.
The Zenbook S16 is fully compliant with Microsoft's Copilot+ AI service thanks to the Ryzen 9 AI's powerful XDNA neural processing unit (or NPU). The mileage general users get from services like Copilot is certainly increasing. I often find myself using it to upscale images rather than doing it manually, but Copilot is still a relatively new evolution of Microsoft's software.
Keyboard and touchpad: 9/10
The keyboard is a model of clarity and solidity on the Zenbook S16. The graphics are easy to read with or without the three-stage white backlight turned on, while the keycaps themselves have a slightly rough, rubberised feel to them and are pleasant to type on.
The large white keys don't have the greatest amount of travel at just over 1mm but the typing action is positive, nicely damped and quiet, easily passing the 'can you use it in a library without getting tutted-at' test.
The 150 x 100mm touchpad is one of the largest you'll encounter on any laptop. The plastic surface is smooth and its mechanical clicks are positive and quiet. Asus has installed some bespoke swipe gestures on the touchpad, including display brightness on the right edge, volume on the left edge and media controls along the top. Given the size of the touchpad, these can be used with surprising delicacy.
The webcam is a rather basic 1080p affair so the images it generates appear a little noisy and drab, though it does include support for Windows Hello IR facial recognition and Windows Studio Effects AI enhancements. It's not a bad camera per se, but given the standard of the rest of the Zenbook S16, I expected better.
Display and audio: 9/10
The Zenbook S16 uses a 2,880 x 1,800 OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's one of the finest laptop displays I've ever encountered. The brightness is great and it's lovely and colourful too. Asus laptops have a reputation for excellent colour accuracy and the Zenbook S16 is no exception.
In Vivid mode, the colour palette is deliberately over-saturated to deliver a supernatural look which is great for watching movies. Dune 2 proved to be a stunning visual feast. The panel also carries the VESA-certified DisplayHDR True Black 500 seal of approval so you're getting a proper HDR (high dynamic range) show.
The combination of a 120Hz refresh rate and OLED per-pixel lighting makes for superb levels of motion fidelity; better than the IPS panels on the vast majority of thoroughbred gaming laptops, with not even a suggestion of ghosting or smearing.
The Harman Kardon six-speaker system doesn't boast a massive amount of volume but the sound is well balanced and detailed with a solid bass underpinning the soundscape. It's easy on the ear no matter what you listen to.
Performance and configurations: 8/10
The Zenbook S16 is available in three configurations. The base model runs on an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with basic Radeon graphics and 16GB of RAM. Next is a Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 model with Radeon 880M graphics and 24GB of RAM. At the top of the range is the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 model with Radeon 890M and 32GB of RAM.
Asus is currently selling the Ryzen AI 9 370 machine for £1,299, which is £400 off the RRP in the UK at the time of writing and the Ryzen AI 9 365 model for £1,199, again £400 off. For the extra £100, the AI 9 370 machine is the one to pick.
For comparison, a 15-inch MacBook Air with a matching 24GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive costs £1,799.
AMD's new chips deliver improved performance thanks to a host of small optimisations in how they handle data throughput, rather than by adding more cores or upping the clock speed. The result is better performance, efficiency and longer battery life.
Regardless of the task in hand, the Zenbook S16 is one of the fastest ultrathin laptops currently on the market and capable of running demanding games on its potent Radeon integrated graphics. The Black Myth Wukong benchmark ran at 44fps, albeit at 1,920 x 1,080 and the lowest graphics preset, which is a superb result for a laptop without a discrete GPU. It means this laptop is up to the task of casual gaming.
The Zenbook S16 scored 928 in the Cinebench R24 CPU test which is a strong result and similar to the score you'll get from the base Apple M4 processor used in the MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro. The 1TB SSD (solid state drive) performed well, recording sequential read and write speeds of 4,026MBps and 2,212MBps respectively. That's more than sufficient for the quick movement of even large amounts of data.
Given the Zenbook S16's performance levels, it runs surprisingly cool and quiet under maximum stress. After 30 minutes of extreme stress testing, the CPU performance dropped to 50 per cent but the GPU stayed at 100 per cent and fan noise never climbed above a moderate whisper. The rear edge of the underside does, however, get a little hot.
Battery life: 8/10
In our standard video rundown battery test, which involves looping a video using the VLC video player with the display brightness set to 200cd/m2, the Zenbook S16 lasted for 14 hours and 10 minutes. That's a strong achievement for this type of laptop, especially one with only a 78Wh capacity battery.
The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon laptops can do better than that, some running past the 24-hour mark, but considering the large display and powerful hardware, the Zenbook S16's showing is impressive.
Battery life has long been an area where Apple laptops consistently beat those running Windows, but those days are now gone. I was easily able to get through a full day's work with the Zenbook S16 without using the charger. Usefully, the charger Asus supplies is a small and compact 65W USB-C affair that you can also use to charge your phone.
Technical specifications:
Telegraph verdict: 9/10
The Asus Zenbook S16 is an exceptionally well-rounded laptop: The design, performance, build, screen and speaker quality are superb, while the battery life is good for a Windows laptop with a large OLED display.
The only downsides are the rather ordinary webcam, the lack of an option to add a second SSD and the degree to which it gets warm when being thrashed. None of those niggles bothered me excessively though.
FAQs
What was the release date for the Asus Zenbook S16?
The Zenbook S16 went on sale in the UK in late 2024 but since then, the price has dropped and it has gained official Microsoft CoPilot+ AI accreditation.
What new features does the Zenbook S16 have?
The Zenbook S16 is the first outing for AMD's new Zen 5 x86 processors which offer improved efficiency, faster performance and a new neural processor capable of running local AI tasks at up to 50 TOPS. The latest Radeon 880M and 890M graphics chips are also impressively powerful.
What configurations does the Zenbook S16 have?
The Zenbook S16 is available with three processor choices, two AMD Ryzen 9 and one AMD Ryzen 7, with either 16, 24 or 32GB of RAM. All models have the same 1TB SSD and the same 3K, 120Hz OLED touchscreen display.
What is the Zenbook S16's price?
At the time of writing, Asus is knocking £400 off the price of the Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 and HX 360 models, taking them down to £1,299 and £1,199 respectively.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Urgent WiFi warning as 1,000s of top-brand routers hacked in mystery attack that drags your internet into crook's ‘army'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EXPERT analysts have discovered a massive hack affecting Wi-Fi routers with thousands already compromised. Analysts who uncovered the hack said it has already impacted over 9,000 devices and is still ongoing. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Routers are being added to a 'botnet army' Credit: Alamy 3 Experts are urging users to perform a factory reset Credit: Getty So far only Asus routers have been hit by the hackers who seem to be adding the devices to their 'army' after gaining control. It remains unclear what the internet crooks intend to do with the nearly 10,000 routers they have gained control over. The hack was detected by an AI system known as 'sift' in March, this led analysts to investigate. Working for cybersecurity platform GreyNoise Enterprise, who designed the AI, analysts quickly identified and named the hack. The firm collects and analyses Internet-wide scan and attack data to provide insights into potential threats. The attack has been dubbed "ViciousTrap" by security experts who are monitoring the ongoing situation. Attackers stealthily accessed the routers over a period of time with their access seemingly immune to reboots and firmware updates. This gives the hackers control over the affected devices that is hard to block or remove. Despite the hack being identified the number of devices being affected is still rising indicating that the hack has not been stopped. Experts have said the hack is essentially invisible with little to no trace that devices have been affected left behind. The reason why the attackers are building their army of routers is still a mystery. Asus has addressed the weaknesses that initially granted the hackers access to their routers. How to stay safe from hackers Protect your devices and networks by keeping them up to date: use the latest supported versions, use anti-virus and scan regularly to guard against known malware threats. Use multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of password compromises. Tell staff how to report suspected phishing emails, and ensure they feel confident to do so, investigate their reports promptly and thoroughly. Set up a security monitoring capability so you are collecting the data that will be needed to analyse network intrusions Prevent and detect lateral movement in your organisation's networks. A GreyNoise report on the hack said: "The techniques used reflect long-term access planning and a high level of system knowledge. " Government authorities were notified of the hack shortly after it was discovered. Routers are always exposed to the Internet, and move significant amounts of highly valuable data, making them actively sought after targets for hacks. Experts are recommending performing a complete factory reset on Asus routers that may be affected. Following the reset experts are urging users to update their router firmware and reconfigure their devices manually. Updating routers to the latest firmware from or after May 27 can protect unaffected routers from falling victim to the hack and help remedy already affected routers. No source for the hack or a reason behind it have been identified yet.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Urgent WiFi warning as 1,000s of top-brand routers hacked in mystery attack that drags your internet into crook's ‘army'
Douglas Simpson Published: Invalid Date, EXPERT analysts have discovered a massive hack affecting Wi-Fi routers with thousands already compromised. Analysts who uncovered the hack said it has already impacted over 9,000 devices and is still ongoing. 3 3 So far only Asus routers have been hit by the hackers who seem to be adding the devices to their "army" after gaining control. It remains unclear what the internet crooks intend to do with the nearly 10,000 routers they have gained control over. The hack was detected by an AI system known as "sift" in March, this led analysts to investigate. Working for cybersecurity platform GreyNoise Enterprise, who designed the AI, analysts quickly identified and named the hack. The firm collects and analyses Internet-wide scan and attack data to provide insights into potential threats. The attack has been dubbed "ViciousTrap" by security experts who are monitoring the ongoing situation. Attackers stealthily accessed the routers over a period of time with their access seemingly immune to reboots and firmware updates. This gives the hackers control over the affected devices that is hard to block or remove. Despite the hack being identified the number of devices being affected is still rising indicating that the hack has not been stopped. Experts have said the hack is essentially invisible with little to no trace that devices have been affected. The reason why the attackers are building their army of routers is still a mystery. Asus has addressed the weaknesses that initially granted the hackers access to their routers. How to stay safe from hackers Protect your devices and networks by keeping them up to date: use the latest supported versions, use anti-virus and scan regularly to guard against known malware threats. Use multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of password compromises. Tell staff how to report suspected phishing emails, and ensure they feel confident to do so, investigate their reports promptly and thoroughly. Set up a security monitoring capability so you are collecting the data that will be needed to analyse network intrusions Prevent and detect lateral movement in your organisation's networks. A GreyNoise report on the hack said: "The techniques used reflect long-term access planning and a high level of system knowledge." Government authorities were notified of the hack shortly after it was discovered. Routers are always exposed to the Internet, and move significant amounts of highly valuable data, making them actively sought after targets for hacks. Experts are recommending performing a complete factory reset on Asus routers that may be affected. Following the reset experts are urging users to update their router firmware and reconfigure their devices manually. Updating routers to the latest firmware from or after May 27 can protect unaffected routers from falling victim to the hack and help remedy already affected routers. No source for the hack or a reason behind it have been identified yet.
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
SteamOS ROG Ally vs Legion GO S vs Steam Deck OLED : Handheld Games Consoles Compared
What if your next gaming session didn't have to be tethered to a desk or console? The rise of handheld gaming consoles has transformed how we play, offering the freedom to take AAA titles or indie gems on the go. With Valve's bold move to extend official SteamOS support to third-party devices, the competition among portable gaming systems has never been fiercer—or more exciting. Enter the Steam Deck OLED, Lenovo Legion Go S, and ASUS ROG Ally: three distinct handhelds vying for your attention with their unique blend of power, design, and features. But which one truly delivers the best experience for your gaming style? In this comprehensive comparison, ETA Prime compares the specs, performance, battery life, and usability of these standout devices. Whether you're drawn to the vivid OLED display of the Steam Deck, the larger screen real estate of the Legion Go S, or the raw power and customization potential of the ROG Ally, this overview will help you navigate the intricate landscape of handheld gaming. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of which console aligns with your gaming priorities—be it portability, performance, or immersive visuals. Let's explore what sets these devices apart and why your next gaming adventure might just fit in the palm of your hand. Handheld Gaming Console Comparison Steam Deck OLED: Balanced Efficiency and Seamless Compatibility The Steam Deck OLED represents an evolution of Valve's original Steam Deck, introducing a 7.4-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. This upgrade enhances the visual experience with vibrant colors and deeper contrasts, making games more immersive. Powered by a custom AMD Zen 2 APU (4 cores, 8 threads) and an RDNA2 GPU, the device delivers a balanced performance suitable for a wide range of games. With pricing starting at $439 for refurbished models and reaching $649 for new units, it remains an accessible choice for many gamers. One of the Steam Deck OLED's standout features is its optimized SteamOS, which ensures smooth compatibility with an extensive library of games. Its battery life is another strong point, offering up to 5+ hours for indie games and approximately 2 hours for AAA titles at a 15W TDP. This makes it an excellent option for gamers who value energy efficiency, ease of use, and a robust game library. The device's compact design and seamless integration with Steam's ecosystem further enhance its appeal for casual and dedicated gamers alike. Lenovo Legion Go S: Bigger Screen, Enhanced Comfort The Lenovo Legion Go S differentiates itself with an 8-inch IPS display featuring a 120Hz variable refresh rate. This larger screen provides a more immersive gaming experience, particularly for players who prioritize screen real estate and smoother visuals. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Ryzen Z2 Go APU, which incorporates Zen 3+ architecture, 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 12-compute-unit RDNA2 GPU. Prices range from $580 for open-box models to $649 for new units, positioning it as a direct competitor to the Steam Deck OLED. Although the IPS display lacks the color depth and contrast of OLED technology, its larger size and higher refresh rate make it a compelling choice for gamers who value visual fluidity. The Legion Go S offers comparable battery life to the Steam Deck OLED, though it tends to drain faster during AAA gaming sessions. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended play, making it particularly suitable for users who engage in long gaming sessions. Additionally, the device's larger screen enhances its usability for multitasking or streaming content, adding versatility to its feature set. 2025 Handheld Games Consoles Compared Watch this video on YouTube. Below are more guides on SteamOS from our extensive range of articles. ASUS ROG Ally: High Performance with Customization Potential The ASUS ROG Ally stands out as the most powerful device in this comparison, designed for gamers who demand top-tier performance. It features the Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, built on Zen 4 architecture, with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a 12-compute-unit RDNA3 GPU. This advanced hardware enables the ROG Ally to handle demanding AAA titles with ease, delivering smooth gameplay and impressive graphical fidelity. The device includes a 7-inch IPS display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and is priced between $440 for open-box models and $649 for new units. While the ROG Ally's stock 40Wh battery limits its runtime, upgrading to a 65Wh battery significantly improves its endurance, making it more suitable for extended gaming sessions. Its mod-friendly design appeals to enthusiasts who enjoy customizing their devices, whether through hardware upgrades or software tweaks. Performance benchmarks consistently place the ROG Ally ahead of its competitors, excelling in graphically intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. However, its shorter battery life and higher power consumption may require compromises for gamers prioritizing portability. Performance Benchmarks and Battery Life: Key Differences Performance and battery life are critical factors when comparing these handheld gaming devices. Each device offers unique strengths in these areas, catering to different gaming styles and preferences. Steam Deck OLED: Focuses on efficiency, offering the best runtime for indie games and steady performance for casual gaming sessions. Focuses on efficiency, offering the best runtime for indie games and steady performance for casual gaming sessions. Lenovo Legion Go S: Balances a larger screen and higher refresh rate with competitive performance, though its battery life may fall short during intensive gaming. Balances a larger screen and higher refresh rate with competitive performance, though its battery life may fall short during intensive gaming. ASUS ROG Ally: Delivers unmatched performance for AAA titles but requires a battery upgrade to sustain longer playtimes. The ROG Ally leads in raw performance, using its advanced Zen 4 architecture and RDNA3 GPU to handle demanding games effortlessly. The Legion Go S offers a middle ground, with its larger display and 120Hz refresh rate enhancing gameplay for visually demanding titles. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck OLED excels in indie game performance and energy efficiency, making it a reliable choice for casual gamers. Choosing the Right Handheld Gaming Console Selecting the ideal handheld gaming console depends on your individual gaming priorities and preferences. Each device in this comparison caters to specific needs, offering distinct advantages: Steam Deck OLED: Best suited for gamers who prioritize compatibility, ease of use, and energy efficiency. Its optimized SteamOS and extensive game library make it a versatile choice for casual and indie gaming. Best suited for gamers who prioritize compatibility, ease of use, and energy efficiency. Its optimized SteamOS and extensive game library make it a versatile choice for casual and indie gaming. Lenovo Legion Go S: Ideal for those who value a larger display and ergonomic design, making it perfect for extended gaming sessions and multitasking. Ideal for those who value a larger display and ergonomic design, making it perfect for extended gaming sessions and multitasking. ASUS ROG Ally: Tailored for performance enthusiasts who seek maximum capability and are willing to invest in upgrades for extended playtime and customization. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your gaming style and priorities. Whether you're drawn to performance, display quality, or battery life, these devices offer compelling options for handheld gaming enthusiasts. Carefully evaluate your needs to determine which device aligns best with your gaming preferences and lifestyle. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Gadgets News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
