ASUS Zenbook S14 UK Launch With Core Ultra 9 386H

ASUS has started selling a new version of its 14-inch ZenBook S14 OLED in the United Kingdom ahead of a wider global launch. The laptop is powered by Intel’s latest Core Ultra 9 386H processor based on Panther Lake architecture, making it one of the first retail laptops available with Intel’s next-generation mobile CPU platform. The early UK release gives buyers a first look at how Intel’s Panther Lake laptops are entering the premium thin-and-light segment in 2026.

ASUS previously introduced Panther Lake systems in its business-focused ExpertBook B5 G2 series, expanding the architecture beyond consumer ultrabooks.

According to UK retail listings, the new Asus Zenbook S14 2026 is priced at £1,599, which converts to roughly $1,799 before VAT and around $2,040 including tax differences. That places the Zenbook S14 firmly in the high-end ultraportable category, competing with devices such as the Dell XPS 14 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The UK appears to be the first market receiving the Core Ultra 9 386H configuration ahead of broader European and US availability.

The model currently available includes 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, suggesting Asus is targeting power users, creators, and business professionals who need high memory capacity in a lightweight chassis. At launch, Asus is offering a single configuration and one gray color option, although additional variants may follow when the Zenbook S14 reaches other regions.

The Zenbook S14 keeps its 14-inch 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The OLED panel delivers up to 500 nits in standard SDR mode and can reach higher peak brightness levels in HDR content. The 2.8K resolution combined with a 120Hz refresh rate positions the Zenbook S14 as a strong option for productivity, media consumption, and creative workflows such as photo editing and video work.

The Zenbook S14 continues ASUS’s premium ultrabook strategy, following models such as the Ryzen AI–powered Zenbook S16, which targeted creators with AMD’s latest AI-focused silicon.

Battery capacity has increased from 72Wh in the previous generation to 77Wh in this 2026 Zenbook S14 model. That increase suggests Asus is focusing on improved battery life alongside Intel’s enhanced power efficiency under the Panther Lake platform. The laptop weighs around 1.2 kilograms or 2.65 pounds, keeping it competitive in the premium lightweight Windows 11 laptop category for professionals and frequent travelers.

Some buyers may notice that this model uses the Core Ultra 9 386H instead of a higher-tier Core Ultra X7 or X9 chip from the Panther Lake lineup. The 386H still offers improved efficiency and better AI performance compared to older generations, but non-X versions usually run at different power levels and may include different integrated graphics compared to the top-end X-series processors.

For everyday tasks like office work, multitasking, content consumption, and light media editing, performance should be more than enough. However, users who plan to do heavier graphics work or more demanding gaming may want to look at higher-tier Panther Lake options once full benchmark results become available.

Panther Lake is also designed to improve on-device AI performance, an area that is becoming increasingly important for Windows 11 and Microsoft Copilot features. The integrated NPU in Core Ultra processors is built to accelerate AI-driven tasks such as background blur, voice isolation, transcription, and AI-assisted creative tools. As more AI-enabled software expands across the Windows ecosystem in 2026, systems powered by the Core Ultra 9 386H are positioned to handle AI workloads more efficiently without relying entirely on cloud processing.

ASUS has also expanded its enterprise lineup with the Core Ultra Series 3–powered ExpertBook models, including the ExpertBook B3 G2, which focuses on higher memory ceilings and business-grade security features.

Industry sources indicate that wider availability of the Zenbook S14 outside the UK is expected soon. The early rollout suggests ASUS is moving quickly to bring Panther Lake laptops to market as competition intensifies in the premium Windows ultrabook space.

Key Specifications

Source: Currys UK