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Asus Vivobook S16 OLED (Snapdragon Edition) Review

The Asus Vivobook series has long been a go-to recommendation for those seeking reliable, stylish, and value-packed laptops. Now, Asus is shaking up its lineup with the introduction of the Vivobook S16 OLED, powered by the entry-level Snapdragon X chip. This move promises to deliver a new level of efficient performance at an accessible price point, making it one of the most exciting releases in the Vivobook family.

Design and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the Vivobook S16 OLED makes a solid impression with its unique color options. Available in a standout “BFF Peachy,” a subtle gray, and a cool “Salvia Green,” it’s designed to appeal to those who want their tech to have some personality.

Despite its large 16-inch display, this laptop maintains an ultrabook profile. It measures just 15.9mm at its thickest point and weighs a portable 1.74 kg. Asus hasn’t compromised on build quality; the laptop features a premium metal chassis, a precisely CNC-engraved logo, and a military-grade MIL-STD-810H certification for durability. This combination of a thin, light, and sturdy build makes it a well-put-together machine that is both funky and portable.

A Stunning OLED Display

The main event is the 16-inch Asus Lumina OLED display. True to Asus’s reputation, the panel is impressive. It features a modern 16:10 aspect ratio with a WXGA (1920×1200) resolution and slim bezels that result in an 89% screen-to-body ratio.

Color reproduction is fantastic, boasting 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, making it great for content consumption and creative work. It also includes TUV Rheinland certification for eye comfort. However, there are a couple of compromises. The display is limited to a standard 60Hz refresh rate, so you won’t get the ultra-smooth motion of a 90Hz or 120Hz panel. Furthermore, the brightness peaks at 300 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but means there is no HDR support, and outdoor visibility in direct sunlight could be a challenge.

Performance and AI Integration

At the heart of this machine is the Snapdragon X126100 processor, featuring 8 cores, 8 threads, and a clock speed of up to 2.97 GHz. It’s paired with 16 GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 GB Gen 4 SSD. It is important to note that both the RAM and storage are soldered and cannot be upgraded later.

In daily use, the Vivobook S16 is snappy. Apps open quickly, and multitasking is exceptionally smooth. The real advantage of the Snapdragon X platform is its AI capability, thanks to the Hexagon NPU which delivers up to 45 TOPS of power. This enables a suite of Copilot+ features right out of the box, including Windows Studio Effects for enhanced video calls, Live Captions, and the new Windows Recall feature. This laptop isn’t designed for serious gaming, but for professional, creative, and everyday workloads, it handles everything with ease.

Battery Life and Charging

ARM-based laptops are known for their efficiency, and the Vivobook S16 shines here. It houses a 70Wh battery that, in real-world testing, delivers up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, making it a true all-day device. When it’s time to recharge, the included 65W USB-PD fast charger gets the battery topped up quickly.

Connectivity and Ports

Asus has been thoughtful with the port selection. Despite its slim profile, the laptop includes:

The only notable omission is an SD card reader, but the existing selection is excellent for an ultrabook. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Keyboard, Touchpad, and Audio

The laptop is equipped with Asus’s ErgoSense backlit keyboard, which provides a comfortable typing experience with good key travel. It also includes a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to AI features. The only minor complaint is the use of small, half-height arrow keys.

The touchpad is generously sized and smooth for navigating, though it is made of plastic rather than glass. It cleverly integrates Asus’s smart gestures, allowing you to scrub through videos or adjust the volume directly from the touchpad surface.

For audio, the bottom-firing speakers are Dolby Atmos certified. They get plenty loud for watching Netflix or YouTube videos and produce a decent amount of bass.

Webcam and Software

Video calls are handled by a sharp Full HD IR webcam that supports Windows Hello for secure face unlock. Thanks to the NPU, it also supports Windows Studio Effects like background blur and auto-framing and includes a physical privacy shutter. The Vivobook S16 OLED runs Windows 11 Home and comes bundled with a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home 2024.

Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Value

The Asus Vivobook S16 OLED with Snapdragon X is a compelling package. It successfully combines a thin and light premium design, a gorgeous OLED display, all-day battery life, and a great selection of ports. Its AI-driven performance is smooth and efficient for everyday tasks.

Priced at a maximum retail price of ₹65,990, it represents outstanding value. This laptop could be the breakthrough device that puts Snapdragon processors into the hands of more users, offering a fantastic all-around experience that challenges the Intel and AMD-based competition.

Here are the key specifications for the Asus Vivobook S16 OLED (Snapdragon Edition):

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