ASUS Zenbook S16 With Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 50 TOPS NPU Launches

ASUS has officially introduced the updated Zenbook S16 (UM5606) powered by AMD’s new Ryzen AI 400 series processors, expanding the Copilot+ PC ecosystem with a high-performance Zen 5 option positioned directly against Intel’s latest Core Ultra ultrabooks.

In the U.S. market, pricing starts at approximately $1,699, placing it in direct competition with premium Intel Core Ultra 7 and Ultra 9 thin-and-light systems. With a dedicated 50 TOPS XDNA neural processing unit, a 3K 120Hz OLED display, and a thin 1.5 kg chassis, the Zenbook S16 represents AMD’s most refined push yet into the mainstream AI PC category.

The system can be configured with either the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 featuring 12 cores and 24 threads with boost clocks up to 5.1 GHz, or the Ryzen AI 7 350 offering 8 cores and 16 threads up to 5.0 GHz. Both chips are built on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, delivering improved IPC efficiency and stronger sustained performance within thin-and-light thermal limits compared to previous Ryzen AI generations.

A central feature of the platform is AMD’s XDNA NPU rated at up to 50 TOPS, enabling full acceleration of advanced Windows 11 Copilot+ features, including Recall, Studio Effects, and real-time translation.

Intel’s current Core Ultra processors integrate NPUs generally rated in the mid-30 to high-40 TOPS range, depending on configuration. While Intel emphasizes GPU gains through its Arc integrated graphics architecture, AMD’s approach combines Zen 5 CPU efficiency improvements with competitive integrated Radeon graphics and higher NPU throughput. For AI-accelerated productivity workloads, AMD’s 50 TOPS engine provides stronger future-proofing within the Copilot+ ecosystem.

The 16-inch OLED panel carries a 2880 × 1800 resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 120 Hz refresh rate and peak HDR brightness rated at 500 nits. It offers 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, and Pantone validation. Touch and stylus support further position the device as a productivity and creative tool, while the OLED contrast enhances both content creation and media consumption.

Storage is handled by a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with an M.2 expansion slot available for upgrades, and memory configurations scale up to 32GB LPDDR5X. Connectivity includes dual USB 4.0 Type-C ports offering 40Gbps bandwidth with display and power delivery support, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, an SD 4.0 card reader, and Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4 for next-generation networking.

The Zenbook S16 is powered by a 78Wh battery paired with a 65W USB-C adapter. The chassis weighs approximately 1.5 kg and maintains a thin profile between 1.19 cm and 1.29 cm, balancing portability with performance. Security features include firmware TPM, Microsoft Pluton integration, and an IR camera supporting Windows Hello authentication, alongside US MIL-STD 810H durability certification and EPEAT Gold compliance.

Early third-party coverage of Ryzen AI 400 systems indicates measurable IPC gains over prior Ryzen AI 300 chips, along with strong multi-threaded productivity performance and capable integrated Radeon graphics suitable for light gaming and creative acceleration. Within thin ultrabook power envelopes, the Zenbook S16 is positioned as a balanced premium AI system rather than a purely performance-driven machine.

As AI features become more deeply embedded into Windows 11, purchasing decisions are increasingly shaped by on-device AI capability, sustained efficiency, display quality, and long-term platform support. With Zen 5 architecture, a 50 TOPS NPU, OLED panel quality, and modern connectivity, the ASUS Zenbook S16 enters the premium AI laptop segment as a serious competitor to Intel’s Core Ultra lineup rather than a secondary alternative.

Key Specifications

Source: ASUS