Asus Launches ROG Strix G18 2026 From $3,299 With 300 Hz Option and Mini LED

Q: Can a minor CPU upgrade justify the Strix G16's price amid mixed reviews for Nvidia's new GPUs?

No. On the evidence available, the 2026 ROG Strix G16’s CPU bump alone is too small to justify its premium pricing, especially in configurations tied to Nvidia’s more controversial RTX 50-series laptop GPUs. The new Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a fast chip, but the gain over the prior generation appears modest: roughly 5% to 7% in benchmark terms. In a gaming laptop, that matters less than GPU performance, thermals, display quality, and overall value. For most buyers, a single-digit CPU uplift will not materially change gaming or creative workloads enough to explain prices starting around £2,599 in the UK or stretching to €3,599 for RTX 5080 models. The stronger case for the new G16 is the broader package. Asus has added a 300 Hz 1600p IPS panel, kept high power limits on upper-tier GPUs, and offers upgradeable RAM and storage with aggressive cooling. Those are meaningful improvements for enthusiasts. But the GPU side complicates the value argument. Reviews of Nvidia’s RTX 50 laptop range have been mixed, especially for lower tiers. Critics point to limited raw generational gains, heavy marketing reliance on DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, and weak value on parts like the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070, with VRAM concerns on 8 GB models. The RTX 5080 is better positioned, but still not a dramatic leap in conventional performance. That leaves the Strix G16 as a premium buy for users who want the full Asus package, not a laptop whose price is justified by the CPU upgrade alone.

3 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Jul 18

Asus has rolled out the 18-inch ROG Strix G18 2026 globally, pairing Intel’s 24-core Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus with configurations up to GeForce RTX 5080 graphics.
Display upgrades drive the refresh: Ultimate GPU mode now enables 300 Hz on the standard panel, while higher trims add a 1600p Mini LED screen with about 2,000 dimming zones and 1,200 nits peak brightness.
Pricing starts at CAD 3,099 and €2,699 for an RTX 5060 model with one Thunderbolt 4 port, while RTX 5070 Ti versions start at $3,299 in the US and £2,899 in the UK.
An RTX 5080 variant with 32 GB RAM and 2 TB storage is already listed at £3,699 in the UK, more than 25% above comparable RTX 5070 Ti models.
The redesign is modest—chamfered edges, a returning numberpad and 90 Wh battery remain—while Asus’ own benchmarks suggest only marginal CPU gains over the 2025 G18.