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The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 are closer than their prices suggest. Both makers’ official lists give the same maximum GPU power at every tier: 115 W for the RTX 5050, 5060 and 5070, 140 W for the RTX 5070 Ti and 175 W for the RTX 5080. Both have a 90Wh battery and weigh just under 6 lb. So with the same graphics card, buy whichever is cheaper on the day, and check the screen. The one trap is the thinner Helios Neo 16S AI, which caps the RTX 5070 Ti and 5080 at 115 W.
Check the ROG Strix G16 on Amazon →
How we put this together: this comparison is based on Acer’s and ASUS’s official GPU power lists and specification pages, our laptop GPU power database, Notebookcheck’s spec listing and Amazon US listings checked on October 19, 2026. It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices change often. See how we choose products.
GPU power: identical, except the Helios Neo 16S
| GPU | ROG Strix G16 (2025) | Helios Neo 16 AI | Helios Neo 16S AI (thin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5050 / 5060 / 5070 | 115 W | 115 W | 115 W |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 140 W | 140 W | 115 W |
| RTX 5080 | 175 W | 175 W (2026 model) | 115 W |
Maximum GPU power including Dynamic Boost, from ASUS’s 2025 ROG GPU power list and Acer’s Predator and Nitro GPU specs, as collected in our GPU power database. ASUS’s figures cover the 18-inch Strix G18 too. Up to the RTX 5070, every version of all three laptops runs at full power, so the graphics performance should be close; cooling and settings decide the rest.
The Helios Neo 16S AI is the thinner, lighter version (Notebookcheck lists 2.3 kg and a 76Wh battery for the PHN16S-71). That’s a fine trade with an RTX 5060 or 5070, but an RTX 5070 Ti or 5080 at 115 W gives away much of what you pay extra for. If you want those cards, buy the regular Helios Neo 16 AI or the Strix G16.
Helios Neo 16 AI vs ROG Strix G16: specs compared
| Spec | Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX in most US listings | Intel (G615: Core Ultra 9 275HX, Core i7/i9 14th Gen HX) or AMD (G614: Ryzen 9 9955HX or 8940HX) |
| Screen | 16″ 2560×1600, 240Hz; OLED versions too | 16″ 2560×1600 (2.5K) 240Hz, or 1920×1200 165Hz on cheaper versions |
| Battery | 90Wh | 90Wh |
| Weight | 5.95 lb (2.7 kg) | 5.84 lb (2.65 kg) |
| Upgrades | DDR5-6400 memory | 2 DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, 2 M.2 SSD slots |
| Charger | Not listed in our sources | 280 W or 380 W, by GPU |
Sources: ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) specifications; Notebookcheck’s Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) listing. Specs vary by configuration, so check the exact model in the listing.
The screen is the real difference
Since the graphics power matches, the screen decides most comparisons. The Helios Neo 16 AI comes with a 2560×1600 240Hz panel in the listings we checked, and Acer also sells OLED versions. The Strix G16 has two screens: a 2.5K 240Hz panel covering 100% of DCI-P3, and a 1920×1200 165Hz panel on cheaper versions. A Strix that looks cheap often has the 1200p screen, so compare like for like.
Prices on Amazon US (October 19, 2026)
| Laptop | GPU and processor | Screen | Price | Seller |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Strix G16 (G614FP) | RTX 5070 (115 W), Ryzen 9 9955HX | 1920×1200 165Hz | $1,899.99 | Amazon.com, in stock |
| Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | RTX 5070 Ti (140 W), Core Ultra 9 275HX | 2560×1600 240Hz | $2,199.99 | Third-party seller, 1 left |
| ROG Strix G16 (G615LR) | RTX 5070 Ti (140 W), Core Ultra 9 275HX | 2560×1600 240Hz | $2,551.42 | Amazon.com |
That day, the same RTX 5070 Ti, processor and screen cost $351 less in the Helios, but only from a third-party seller with one unit left. Amazon itself sold both Strix G16 models above, so the Strix was the safer buy that day.
Which should you buy?
- Same GPU, both available: the cheaper one. GPU power, battery and weight are near-identical.
- You want an OLED screen: the Helios Neo 16 AI (or the Neo 16S AI with an RTX 5060 or 5070).
- You want to buy from Amazon itself, or an AMD processor: the ROG Strix G16. Check that it has the 2.5K 240Hz screen.
- RTX 5070 Ti or 5080: the Helios Neo 16 AI or the Strix G16, never the Helios Neo 16S AI (115 W).
Check the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Predator Helios Neo 16 better than the ROG Strix G16?
Neither is clearly better. Acer and ASUS list the same maximum GPU power for each graphics card: 115 W up to the RTX 5070, 140 W for the RTX 5070 Ti and 175 W for the RTX 5080. Both have a 90Wh battery and weigh about 5.9 lb. Buy the cheaper one with the screen you want.
What’s the difference between the Helios Neo 16 and the Helios Neo 16S?
The Neo 16S is thinner and lighter (about 2.3 kg against 2.7 kg), but Acer caps its RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 at 115 W, against 140 W and 175 W in the regular Helios Neo 16 AI. With an RTX 5060 or 5070, both run at 115 W.
Does the ROG Strix G16 run its GPU at full power?
Yes. ASUS lists 115 W for the RTX 5050, 5060 and 5070, 140 W for the RTX 5070 Ti and 175 W for the RTX 5080 in the 2025 Strix G16, including Dynamic Boost.
Which is lighter, the Helios Neo 16 AI or the Strix G16?
The Strix G16, barely: 5.84 lb (2.65 kg) against 5.95 lb (2.7 kg) for the Helios Neo 16 AI. Both have a 90Wh battery.
