Asus Zenbook S16 Review: A Masterclass in Refined Evolution
At first glance, the new Asus Zenbook S16 appears indistinguishable from its predecessor—and that’s precisely the point. Sporting the same sleek Ceraluminum body, an ultra-thin 1.1 cm profile, and the familiar two-color palette, Asus has wisely chosen not to fix what isn’t broken. In a market saturated with generic aluminum ultrabooks, this design continues to stand out, making a deliberate lack of change a strategic strength rather than a shortcoming.
Under the Hood: Where the Real Magic Happens
While the exterior remains unchanged, Asus has overhauled the internals with cutting-edge upgrades. The star of the show is the new AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 processor, built on the advanced Zen 5 architecture. Paired with 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, this hardware configuration is engineered for seamless multitasking and demanding workloads. Priced at Rs 1,69,990, these enhancements must deliver tangible benefits in daily use—and early impressions suggest they do.
The Ceraluminum Charm: A Lasting Impression
Three years after its debut, the Ceraluminum finish still captivates. Its dry, textured, almost ceramic feel remains unique, resisting fingerprints and scuffs with ease. Weighing just 1.5 kg for a 16-inch machine, it feels remarkably portable, slipping effortlessly into a backpack. The build is rigid, the hinge is robust, and the Scandinavian White option maintains a pristine appearance. However, Asus could expand its color offerings to include darker, moodier variants for greater personalization.
Display Excellence: Setting the Benchmark
No changes were made to the display—and none were necessary. The 16-inch 3K Lumina OLED panel, calibrated to Delta E under 1 with True Black HDR and touch support, remains a segment leader. Side-by-side comparisons with IPS laptops reveal a stark, almost embarrassing gap in quality. Notably, Asus backs this screen with a burn-in warranty, offering free replacements during the coverage period—a rare and valuable assurance in the OLED laptop market.
Performance and Cooling: Zen 5 Takes Center Stage
The AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 processor, with its 10-core design, is the cornerstone of this refresh. It handles everyday tasks—like managing dozens of Chrome tabs, Slack, documents, and light photo editing—with effortless grace. More impressive is Asus’s cooling solution: a dual-fan setup, a 0.7 mm vapour chamber, and 3,522 geometric vents allow the laptop to sustain 28W of power, outperforming most ultraportables that max out at 15W. During routine use, the fans operate silently, though heavier workloads will require further testing.
The 83 Wh battery shows promise for all-day use, though its endurance with the OLED panel constantly active needs more evaluation. An integrated NPU supports AI tasks and Copilot+ PC readiness, future-proofing the device even as Windows AI features remain in developmental stages.
Daily Delights: Keyboard, Audio, and Connectivity
Daily usage reveals several standout features. The keyboard offers satisfying travel and feedback, reducing the need for an external one. The six-speaker Dolby Atmos system delivers robust audio for calls and streaming. Port selection is practical, including USB4, HDMI, USB-A, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack—eliminating the need for dongles. Wi-Fi 7 and USB-C charging round out a well-considered package.
Early Verdict: Prioritizing Substance Over Style
A few days with the Zenbook S16 isn’t enough for a definitive judgment, but early signs are positive. Asus has focused on meaningful upgrades—better silicon and enhanced cooling—rather than unnecessary redesigns. This laptop impresses not through flashy changes but through refined performance and reliability. The coming weeks will test battery life, thermal management in extreme conditions, and benchmark comparisons, but for now, the Zenbook S16 starts on a confident, quiet note.
