The line between science fiction and reality continues to blur as ASUS brings true AI computing to the masses with its latest laptop offerings. The tech giant has officially unveiled two cutting-edge Copilot+ PCs in India – the premium Zenbook S16 and the more accessible Vivobook 16 – both powered by next-generation AMD Ryzen AI processors that promise to revolutionize how we interact with our computers.
But are these new machines worth your hard-earned rupees, and do they deliver on the AI promise? Let’s dive deep into what makes these laptops special and whether they deserve a place in your digital life.
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The Premium Contender: Zenbook S16 – Elegance Meets Intelligence
The Zenbook S16 (UM5606KA) immediately impresses with its ultra-slim profile – measuring just 1.1 cm thick while weighing a mere 1.5 kg. This combination of slenderness and lightness is remarkable considering the powerhouse components packed inside.
A Visual Feast for Your Eyes
The centerpiece of this premium machine is undoubtedly its gorgeous 16-inch 3K (2880 × 1800) ASUS Lumina OLED display. With a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, this screen delivers vibrant visuals with 100% DCI-P3 color coverage – making it perfect for creative professionals and content consumers alike.
The display also incorporates eye-friendly features, reducing blue light by 70% and boasting VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification for those inky deep blacks that only OLED can deliver. Whether you’re editing photos, binge-watching Netflix, or tackling spreadsheets, this screen elevates every visual experience.
AI Performance That Redefines Productivity
Under the hood, the Zenbook S16 is powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads with clock speeds reaching up to 5.0 GHz. What truly sets this chip apart is its dedicated 50 TOPS XDNA 2 NPU (Neural Processing Unit) designed specifically for accelerating AI workloads.
This specialized AI hardware enables a range of intelligent features:
- Real-time background blur and noise cancellation during video calls
- AI-enhanced photo and video editing
- Microsoft Copilot integration for smart assistance
- Advanced voice recognition and natural language processing
The system comes with 24GB of blazing-fast LPDDR5X-8000MHz memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, ensuring applications launch instantly and multitasking remains smooth regardless of your workload.
Built for the Long Haul
Battery life has always been the Achilles’ heel of powerful laptops, but ASUS claims the Zenbook S16’s 78Wh battery delivers up to 18 hours of runtime – an impressive feat for a machine with these specifications. When you do need to recharge, fast USB-C charging gets you back to work quickly.
The premium experience extends to the audio department with a six-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system that delivers immersive sound for both work and entertainment. Security hasn’t been overlooked either, with a Microsoft Pluton security chip and Passkeys integration protecting your digital life.
The Value Champion: Vivobook 16 – Smart Computing for Everyone
While the Zenbook S16 targets premium users, the Vivobook 16 (M1607KA) makes AI-powered computing more accessible without major compromises.
Practical Design with Thoughtful Features
The Vivobook 16 features a 16-inch FHD+ (1920 × 1200) display with a productivity-friendly 16:10 aspect ratio. While not OLED, this TÜV Rheinland-certified panel reduces blue light and flicker for comfortable all-day use. The 180-degree hinge provides flexibility for collaborative work and different viewing positions.
At 1.88 kg and 1.79 cm thick, it’s slightly heavier and thicker than its premium sibling but remains portable enough for daily commutes or moving between rooms.
Surprising Power at Half the Price
What’s truly impressive about the Vivobook 16 is that it shares the same powerful AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor as the Zenbook S16, complete with 8 cores, 16 threads, and 5.0 GHz boost clock. It also incorporates a 50 TOPS Qualcomm Hexagon NPU for AI acceleration – meaning you get the same AI capabilities at a much lower price point.
The system comes with 16GB of DDR5 memory onboard and includes a SO-DIMM slot for future upgrades – a flexibility not offered by the soldered memory in the Zenbook. This upgradability makes the Vivobook 16 more future-proof for users who might need more RAM down the line.
Practical Connectivity and Security
The Vivobook 16 offers practical connectivity with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports and HDMI 2.1 for connecting external displays. Security features include an FHD IR camera with Windows Hello facial recognition, a physical webcam shutter for privacy, Microsoft Pluton security, and Passkeys support.
Like its premium counterpart, the Vivobook 16 is also built to last with US MIL-STD 810H certification for durability – an important consideration for a device that will likely see daily use for several years.
The AI Advantage: What Can These Machines Actually Do?
Both laptops are designated as “Copilot+ PCs,” which means they meet Microsoft’s specifications for running advanced AI features locally rather than relying on cloud processing. This local AI processing offers several advantages:
- Enhanced Privacy: Sensitive data doesn’t need to leave your device
- Faster Response Times: No internet latency when processing AI requests
- Offline Functionality: AI features work even without internet connectivity
- Better Performance: Dedicated NPU hardware accelerates AI tasks
In practical terms, these capabilities translate to features like:
- Advanced photo and video editing with AI-powered object removal, style transfer, and enhancement
- Real-time translation and transcription without internet connection
- Intelligent noise cancellation and background effects during video calls
- Predictive text and writing assistance that learns your style
- Smart organization of files and information based on content
As more AI-optimized applications become available throughout 2025, the value of having dedicated AI hardware will only increase.
Pricing and Availability: Premium Features at Different Price Points
The Zenbook S16 (UM5606KA) is positioned as a premium offering at Rs. 1,49,990. It’s available through multiple channels including ASUS e-shop, Flipkart.com, Amazon.in, and ASUS Exclusive Stores across India.
The Vivobook 16 (M1607KA) offers an excellent value proposition at Rs. 75,990 – essentially half the price of the Zenbook while retaining the same processor and AI capabilities. It’s available through Reliance retail stores and the ASUS eShop.
Buy from Amazon India: https://amzn.to/3EeR6fa
The Verdict: Are These AI-Powered Laptops Worth It?
Arnold Su, Vice President of Consumer and Gaming PC at ASUS India, summarizes the company’s vision: “Our innovation continues to center around delivering powerful yet intuitive devices. With the new lineup powered by AMD Ryzen and advanced AI features, we’re focused on enabling smooth, efficient multitasking and intelligent performance.”
For creative professionals, business users, and tech enthusiasts who want to stay ahead of the curve, the Zenbook S16 represents one of the most complete premium laptop packages of 2025. Its combination of stunning OLED display, powerful performance, and AI capabilities justifies the premium price for those who can afford it.
For practical users who want access to AI capabilities without breaking the bank, the Vivobook 16 offers exceptional value. You get the same processor and AI performance at half the price, sacrificing only the OLED display and some premium design elements.
The true test for both machines will be how the AI ecosystem develops throughout 2025 and beyond. As more applications leverage these dedicated AI capabilities, these laptops should become increasingly valuable – making them smart investments for forward-thinking users.
Are you ready to embrace the AI-powered future of computing? These new ASUS offerings make a compelling case that the time is now.
Have you tried any Copilot+ PCs yet? Share your experiences with AI-powered computing in the comments below!
