Asus has released the 2026 edition of the ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop, bringing a faster processor and a higher refresh rate screen to the global market. This update matters because the new CPU delivers measurable performance gains over the previous year's model, and the display now supports speeds that exceed standard gaming monitors. Buyers looking for a high-speed machine will find the 300 Hz panel and the upgraded Intel chip to be the primary reasons to consider this year's version.
New laptop features faster Intel processor and high refresh rate screen
The 2026 model replaces the previous Core Ultra 9 275HX with the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor. This change represents the defining hardware shift between the 2025 and 2026 iterations of the laptop. According to performance claims from Notebookcheck, this new chip should provide around 7% higher processor performance than the 2025 edition.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Display: 16-inch 1600p IPS, 300 Hz (240 Hz in non-Ultimate mode)
- Battery: 90 Wh
- Charging: 280 W
- GPU Configurations: GeForce RTX 5060, RTX 5070 8GB, RTX 5080
Asus equips the laptop with a 16-inch 1600p IPS display that reaches a peak refresh rate of 300 Hz. The screen only hits this maximum speed when the dedicated GPU is running in Ultimate mode. In all other configurations, the display peaks at 240 Hz. The system also includes a 90 Wh battery that supports 280 W charging.
The laptop ships with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage in the base configuration we have seen listed. Customers can choose between the GeForce RTX 5060, the RTX 5070 8GB, or the RTX 5080 for their graphics needs. We looked at Asus ROG Strix G16 vs Lenovo Legion 5 in our earlier Asus coverage to help compare value in this segment.
Pricing starts at around $2,174 for the base model in the Eurozone, while the UK version starts at around $3,505. Canadian listings show the RTX 5070 model at around $2,350, and Hong Kong prices sit at around $3,699. Asus is preparing to offer the 2026 edition in the US, but a specific release date has not been confirmed yet.
Source: NotebookCheck
