Highlights

• The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 features the 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics.
• Boasting a sleek design, the G16 has a unique ErgoLift hinge and an understated gaming aesthetic.
• Equipped with a 16-inch QHD+ display, it offers a 240Hz refresh rate for an immersive gaming experience.
• A 90Whr battery powers the Zephyrus G16, though real-world usage offers 4-5 hours of moderate use.

Asus is a prominent brand in the gaming laptop industry, especially in India. Its Zephyrus series is recognized for integrating portable hardware like CPUs and graphics into a lightweight frame, ensuring impressive performance.

Currently, we have the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2023) available, priced at Rs 1,79,990.

While the cost might seem steep, the internal hardware justifies the price.

Let’s evaluate the laptop’s capabilities and determine its value for potential users.

Key Specs

• Processor: 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900HGraphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
• Memory: 16GB DDR5 RAM
• Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD
• Display: 16-inch QHD+ (2,560×1,600); 60Hz default, upgradable to 240Hz
• Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, Combo audio jack, USB-A, Thunderbolt 4, Standard Type-C
• Battery: 90Whr 4-cell Li-ion; Full recharge in ~2.5 hours
• Design: ErgoLift hinge, 19.9mm thickness, polycarbonate build

Pros and Cons

Build, Design, and Connectivity

Asus has opted to maintain the design for their latest Zephyrus, likely due to the positive feedback from their earlier models.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, despite being constructed from polycarbonate, boasts a robust build.
Notably, the laptop is surprisingly lightweight when compared to many of its gaming counterparts.
Furthermore, its even weight distribution stands out, permitting users to single-handedly open the lid with ease.

The design continuity of the new Zephyrus G16 with its predecessor suggests a preference for a more understated appearance over the typical aggressive gaming aesthetic.

Its dimensions are noteworthy; the laptop’s sleekness is emphasised with a thickness of 19.9mm, and its weight of 2kg is acceptable for a laptop that houses heavy-duty internals.

A significant feature is the ErgoLift hinge, enabling users to lay the laptop flat at a 180-degree angle.

This design not only fosters collaborative work but also enhances cooling by elevating the laptop slightly off the surface.
Rounding out its design features, the laptop sports an ROG logo at the lid’s base.

Additionally, there’s a distinctive asymmetrical dot matrix pattern, crafted through a meticulous CNC milling process.

In terms of connectivity, the laptop offers a well-rounded selection of ports.
It features an upgraded HDMI 2.1 port, a step up from last year’s 2.0 version.

Additionally, users will find an Ethernet port, a combo audio jack, and a USB-A port.
It also comes equipped with two Type-C ports: one being a Thunderbolt 4 port, while the other is a standard Type-C.
On the opposite side, the laptop houses a micro SD card slot and another USB-A port.

Display

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 boasts a 16-inch screen that supports a QHD+ resolution of 2,560×1,600.

By default, the display operates at a 60Hz refresh rate, but it offers the flexibility to ramp up to a stunning 240Hz.
This elevated refresh rate is optimal for gamers, as it provides sharper visuals, making it effortless to spot and respond to swift in-game movements.

Notably, the screen’s vibrancy and brightness are prominent indoors, with colors rendered so precisely that it’s apt for tasks like photo editing.

While the display shines exceptionally bright, enabling work even under direct sunlight, its performance outdoors might vary in extremely bright conditions.

 However, this minor limitation is overshadowed by its primary indoor utility, catering to both professional and personal needs.

An added highlight is the impressive audio, thanks to the array of speakers smartly integrated into the ample space flanking the screen.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 stands out with its ergonomic design.
Central to its user experience is the expansive glass trackpad, placed precisely in the middle for ease of access.

It’s built sturdy, eliminating any unwanted flex, and efficiently supports Windows Gestures.
While we often paired the G16 with a mouse, the trackpad was pretty good during mobile use.

One of the laptop’s distinguishing features is its keyboard, mirroring the design of last year’s G15.
Notably, the 1.7mm key travel and well-spaced layout facilitate both gaming and typing sessions.

Despite our initial perception of smaller keys, the overall typing experience proved comfortable.
Users will also appreciate the spacious palm rests flanking the keyboard.

We found that the keyboard’s versatility extends to its customizable RGB backlighting and a multitude of shortcuts, enhancing productivity.

These shortcuts cover a gamut of tasks, from taking screenshots and adjusting fan speeds to initiating sleep mode and recording gameplay.

Performance and Software

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, a premium gaming laptop, promises unparalleled performance with its array of top-tier hardware components.

Equipped with the 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor, the machine carries an impressive 14 cores, split between six for performance and eight for efficiency.

The resulting computing prowess ensures tasks, from gaming to multimedia editing, are handled with ease.

Adding to the laptop’s gaming credentials is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, supplemented by Intel UHD Graphics.

This particular graphics card supports a TDP (also referred to as TGP) of 125W, implying a potent cooling system in the Zephyrus G16 designed for sustained, high graphics output.

When put to the test, demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, Dirt 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2 ran smoothly on high settings.

The laptop’s benchmarks further affirm its performance capabilities.
PCMark scores reached 7,893, while Cinebench R23 multi-core touched a commendable 15,477.

To bolster data processing and storage, the G16 houses 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD.

Using CrystalDiskMark, the SSD recorded impressive read and write speeds of 4,072MB/s and 3,602MB/s respectively.
Notably, all these tests were performed under the Turbo fan profile to extract maximum performance.

Beyond its gaming prowess, the Zephyrus G16’s sleek design and lightweight make it equally apt for office tasks and multimedia editing.

The laptop’s acoustics are well-managed; it emits a barely audible hum in Performance or Silent mode. Only in Turbo mode does the fan become more noticeable, but it remains unintrusive.

During intense gaming sessions with Turbo mode engaged, the CPU’s temperature remained below 95 degrees, while the GPU seldom exceeded 80 degrees.

Audio and Battery Life

The audio capabilities of the new Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 showcase a blend of quality and immersive experience.

Armed with a six-speaker sound system boasting Dolby Atmos support, it achieves a rich sound profile worthy of its Hi-Res certification.
To enhance the stereo effect, Asus thoughtfully positioned speakers alongside the keyboard.

Despite the impressive depth and bass that enriches gaming sessions, some might find the volume slightly subdued for streaming content from platforms like YouTube or Netflix.

Additionally, the Zephyrus G16 has incorporated a 1080p webcam.
Its performance is middle-of-the-road; satisfactory lighting conditions, especially abundant sunlight, are crucial for optimal video call clarity.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is equipped with a 90Whr 4-cell Li-ion battery, complemented by a 240W AC adapter. This setup allows for a full recharge in approximately 2.5 hours.

For those seeking an alternative, the G16 also supports USB-C power delivery up to a capacity of 100W.

While Asus touts nearly an entire day’s worth of battery life for the G16, practical testing revealed a more conservative duration of 4-5 hours under moderate usage.
This duration leaves some room for enhancement in future iterations.

Final Verdict

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2023) stands as a testament to Asus’s prowess in delivering a premium gaming laptop that harmoniously blends high-end performance with a meticulously crafted design.

Its power-packed internals, led by the 13th-gen Intel Core i9 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, ensure top-tier gaming and multimedia performance.

Additionally, its lightweight construction and sleek aesthetic make it a versatile choice, not just for the gaming enthusiast but also for the professional on-the-go.

However, every product has its share of imperfections.
The Zephyrus G16’s battery life doesn’t quite live up to the long-lasting claims, posing a limitation for those away from power outlets for extended durations.

Similarly, while the audio system is technically proficient with its Dolby Atmos support, the volume levels may not always satisfy those looking to immerse in multimedia content.

In conclusion, the Zephyrus G16 shines brightly in a crowded market but has some areas of potential improvement for future models.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G16: My Mobile Rating

Build and design– 4/5

Display – 3.5/5

Keyboard and trackpad– 3/5

Connectivity options – 3/5

Performance– 4/5

Graphics- 3.5/5

Battery– 3/5

Overall – 4/5

FAQs

What is unique about the design of the Zephyrus G16?

The Zephyrus G16 retains the design from previous models, featuring a robust polycarbonate build. Its ErgoLift hinge allows a 180-degree laptop lay, enhancing cooling and collaborative work. The design also includes a distinct asymmetrical dot matrix pattern created through CNC milling.

How does the Zephyrus G16 display fare for gamers and professionals?

The 16-inch QHD+ display supports a 240Hz refresh rate, ideal for gaming. The screen’s color accuracy and brightness make it suitable for tasks like photo editing, even under direct sunlight, though performance might vary in extremely bright conditions.

How does the Zephyrus G16 perform in real-world scenarios?

Equipped with a 13th-gen Intel Core i9 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, it smoothly runs demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 on high settings. However, while the battery is said to last almost a day, practical testing reveals about 4-5 hours of usage.

What kind of audio experience does the Zephyrus G16 offer?

The laptop has a six-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support. While it provides an immersive experience for gaming, some users might find the volume levels a bit subdued for multimedia streaming.