ASUS Unveils 2026 ROG Strix G16, G18 Gaming Laptops with 300Hz Mini LED Panel, Intel Core Ultra 9 and RTX 5080 GPUs

ASUS has announced the 2026 versions of its ROG Strix G16 and ROG Strix G18 gaming laptops, introducing updated hardware, higher-end display options, and a redesigned chassis aimed at easier user upgrades. The new models bring Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors and NVIDIA’s RTX 50-series laptop GPUs to the Strix lineup, positioning them for high-performance gaming and content workloads.

Both the Strix G16 and G18 are powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor, paired with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU. This combination is designed to handle modern games with ray tracing, high refresh rate output, and GPU-accelerated tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering. Support for DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation is also included, which can improve frame rates in supported titles.

Display upgrades are a key change in this generation. The 16-inch Strix G16 features a 2.5K (2560 x 1600) IPS-level panel with a 300Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, up from 240Hz in the previous model. It supports 100 percent DCI-P3 color coverage, Pantone validation, Dolby Vision, and G-SYNC. The larger Strix G18 uses an 18-inch 2.5K panel with Mini LED technology and more than 2000 dimming zones. It offers a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and peak brightness of up to 1600 nits, targeting users who need higher contrast and HDR performance.

Both panels include anti-reflection coating, aimed at improving visibility in bright environments and maintaining color consistency from different viewing angles.

Cooling has also been updated. ASUS is using a combination of a vapor chamber, a tri-fan setup, and a layered heatsink design to manage thermals. This setup is intended to maintain stable performance during extended gaming sessions or heavy workloads.

One of the more practical changes is the redesigned chassis. The laptops now feature tool-less access through spring-loaded tabs, allowing users to open the system without screws. Internal components such as RAM and SSDs can be accessed quickly, and the SSD slots use a Q-Latch system for easier installation. Both models support up to 64GB DDR5 memory at 6400MT/s and up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage.

Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 5 ports with DisplayPort 2.1 and power delivery, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a 2.5G Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wireless support comes via WiFi 7. Audio features include Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and AI-based noise cancellation.

The laptops ship with Windows 11 Pro and include a per-key RGB keyboard with Aura Sync lighting and a dedicated Copilot key. Both models are equipped with a 90Wh battery and support up to a 380W power adapter.

The Strix G16 weighs 2.7kg, while the Strix G18 weighs 3.5kg. ASUS plans to offer both models in Eclipse Grey and Volt Green finishes.

Pricing and availability have not been announced yet.

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