The race for the ultimate ultraportable laptop has a new frontrunner. At CES 2026, Asus showcased its latest engineering marvel: the Zenbook A16. Despite its massive 16-inch display, this Windows machine manages to weigh less than Apple’s iconic 13-inch MacBook Air, setting a new benchmark for large-screen portability.
Featherlight Design Meets “Ceraluminum”
The standout feature of the Zenbook A16 is its weight. Tipping the scales at just 2.65 pounds, it is nearly an ounce lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air. To achieve this, Asus utilized its patented “Ceraluminum” material—a high-tech magnesium-aluminum alloy that is:
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Scratch-resistant and shock-resistant
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Fingerprint-resistant
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100% recyclable
Finished in a sleek “Zabrinskie Beige,” the chassis is not only durable but incredibly easy to carry with one hand, a rarity for 16-inch devices which typically weigh between 3.3 and 4.7 pounds.
Next-Gen AI Performance: Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme
Asus isn’t just focusing on aesthetics; the Zenbook A16 is a performance beast. It is slated to be the first laptop to hit the market featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip.
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18 Cores: High-octane processing power for demanding tasks.
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80 TOPS NPU: The industry-leading AI processing power (Trillion Operations Per Second) makes it a premier Copilot+ PC.
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Memory: It comes packed with 48GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, ensuring seamless multitasking.
Stunning 3K OLED Display
The visual experience is anchored by a 16-inch 3K (2,880 x 1800) OLED touchscreen. With a 90% screen-to-body ratio and thin bezels, the display offers:
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120Hz Refresh Rate for smooth motion.
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1,100 nits Peak Brightness for vivid HDR content.
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Professional Color Accuracy typical of the Zenbook lineup.
Asus Zenbook A16 Key Specifications
The 2026 Zenbook Refresh
Alongside the new A16, Asus is also updating the award-winning Zenbook A14. The 2026 version of the 14-inch model will feature the Snapdragon X2 Elite chip, WiFi 7, and a durable matte keycap coating.
Furthermore, Asus is expanding its use of Ceraluminum across the entire premium line, including the Zenbook S14, S16, and the dual-screen Zenbook Duo.
Pricing and Availability
While Asus has confirmed the hardware, official pricing and release dates are still under wraps. Industry experts are watching closely to see if the ongoing global RAM shortage or potential trade tariffs will impact the final retail price.
Editor’s Note: The Zenbook A14 originally launched at $899, but economic factors pushed it higher. Whether the A16 can maintain a competitive price point while offering 48GB of RAM remains the big question for 2026.
