ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED review: Great performance meets stunning display

First impressions of ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED

After I unboxed the Vivobook S16 OLED, at first glance I must admit that I was thoroughly impressed with its sleek and portable build. My review unit came in the Mist Blue shade, which I found to be easy on the eyes. I have been working on blocky black laptops for a while, and this new shade was a welcome change. This was something I call the perfect balance between a svelte design and a high-end performance. I had a feeling from the start that this would be something that would make for an excellent choice for both work and play. 

The Vivobook S16 OLED is stylish and has a sleek metal profile. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The standout aspect of this laptop is its immersive 16-inch 3.2K(3200×2000) 120Hz Asus Lumina OLED display. Also, this is the first time I am getting to try my hands on an OLED laptop. I have been a fan of OLED displays and this was more than a delightful experience.  From the moment I switched on the laptop, I was charmed by the striking colours, and exceptional contrast ratios, something that OLED is known for. The laptop comes with a peak brightness of 600 nits and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certification. 

Technical details aside, this display delivers inky blacks, and vivid highlights that bring visuals to life. From editing photos, watching movies on Netflix, or even casually browsing the web, I found the visuals to be consistent and striking. Be it gameplay or HDR 8K videos of nature, the display is spectacular. The long battery life also makes it an ideal entertainment device, especially for movie nights with friends and family. The outstanding visuals on this device are coupled with the Dolby Atmos and Harman Kardon-certified audio experience.

But, the laptop is not just about the stunning display. I feel it has been thoughtfully designed to meet the rigours of the modern day, especially the constant need to whip out the laptop at the drop of a hat. I feel most work lately demands a certain mobility, and to an extent devices that are agile and easy on power consumption have become imperative. In my experience, the Vivobook S16 OLED is an incredibly well-designed and compact laptop. The best part is that it is 13.9 mm thin and weighs merely 1.5 kg. This to me is a huge perk, especially after spending a long time on the 2.5 kg Legion Pro 7i — not comparing the two, as both are unique and serve different purposes. 

The OLED display on the Asus Vivobook 16 is its standout feature. Its vibrant colours make for an immersive viewing experience. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The all-metal chassis of Vivobok S16 OLED offers a premium feel. It also has the 180-degree ErgoLift hinge that offers a great typing experience as well as aids in cooling the machine. When it comes to typing, the ErgoSense keyboard is a delight to use, this will be particularly beneficial for those whose work involves extensive writing. Besides, this is also among the first of the laptops to have an enlarged 150×99 mm touchpad which I found to be an efficient addition as it offers ample space, and precision when it comes to cursor controls

ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED performance

Under the hood, the Vivobook S16 OLED is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor-155H. The combination of this powerful chipset integrated Intel ARC graphics and up to 16GB of  LPDDR5X RAM, makes for smooth multitasking and seamless performance, even when running demanding applications. For someone like me, I juggle between gazillion, video and music streaming, etc. The laptop handles all of it with ease. 

For working professionals, I feel the Vivobook S16 OLED comes with ample power, this is owing to its 75Wh battery and exceptional power management. The laptop can easily last around eight hours on a single charge making it a great tool to enhance working efficiency. Besides, it also comes with a  90W Type-C fast charging to ensure that you don’t run out of juice. The laptop charges up to 60 per cent in less than an hour. 

When it comes to connectivity, the Vivobook S16 OLED has some great options. The laptop features two Thunderbolt 4 (type-c), two USB 3.2 ports, an HDMI, a 3.5mm audio port, and a microSD card reader. The presence of Thunderbolt 4 ports makes it easier for anyone to connect to high-resolution external displays or transfer data at lightning speed. While the laptop has some admirable features, the only gripe I had is the glossy OLED display that can easily suffer from glare in bright environments. The device features a 1080p web camera that does a decent job of capturing the essence of video conferencing. 

Verdict on ASUS Vivobook S16 OLED

Overall, I strongly recommend the Vivobook S16 OLED as it is a great choice for both working professionals and students. The powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor-155H chipset and all-metal chassis give it a premium feel. The stunning display and extended battery life make it an all-purpose laptop that is easy to carry around. This is an all-rounder device that offers value.