ASUS at CES 2026 - Refreshes, Redesigns, and New Releases
January 9, 2026
|
ASUS's 2026 Lineup
Summary
ASUS showed off a range of products at CES 2026, spanning ultra-portable consumer devices, premium creator machines, and significantly refreshed gaming laptops.
Table of contents:
Across the board, the themes were clear: brighter OLED displays, major processor updates from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, and smarter thermal and power management to balance performance with battery life. So, let's get into it.
Zenbook DUO: A More Refined Dual‑Screen Flagship
ASUS’s dual‑screen Zenbook DUO received a meaningful redesign for 2026. The new Ceraluminum™ chassis feels more premium, while a redesigned hinge and thinner bezels reduce the gap between the two displays. This makes multitasking across both screens feel far more cohesive than before.
Both displays are still 14‑inch 2880×1800 OLED panels with a new anti‑reflective coating, higher brightness of over 500 nits, and up to 144Hz refresh rates. The improved kickstand and hinge finally make side‑by‑side desktop mode practical. Audio quality has been upgraded as well.
Performance sees a large jump thanks to Intel’s new Panther Lake CPUs, with configurations up to a 16‑core Core Ultra X9 chip and a significantly stronger integrated Arc B390 GPU. Combined with a larger 99Wh battery and Wi‑Fi 7 support, the Zenbook DUO looks far more viable as a daily productivity machine.
Zenbook Series: Brighter Displays and Broader CPU Choices
Nearly the entire Zenbook lineup received brighter OLED displays this year, addressing one of the biggest criticisms of prior models.
Zenbook A16 and A14
The lightweight Zenbook A16 debuts Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor, offering up to 18 cores and a strong focus on efficiency. Despite its 16‑inch OLED display, the A16 weighs under three pounds thanks to a magnesium‑aluminum Ceraluminum™ chassis. Battery life is expected to be a major strength, and port selection is unusually generous for a thin‑and‑light, including a full‑size SD card reader.
The smaller Zenbook A14 also receives the Snapdragon X2 Elite refresh, maintaining its position as an affordable, ultra‑portable option.
Zenbook 14
The standard Zenbook 14 sees a silicon refresh rather than a redesign, with AMD’s new Zen 5 400 Series processors aka Gorgon Point. For Intel, they will continue to use older Arrow Lake CPUs.
Zenbook S: Cooler, Faster, and Still Ultra‑Slim
ASUS updated its premium Zenbook S line with new processors and improved cooling. The 14‑inch Zenbook S moves to Intel Panther Lake, while the 16‑inch model adopts AMD Gorgon Point CPUs. Both now feature larger vapor chamber cooling solutions, which ASUS claims reduce keyboard deck temperatures by around four degrees Celsius compared to last year.
ExpertBook Ultra: The Surprise Standout
One of the most talked‑about devices from ASUS’s CES showing was the ExpertBook Ultra. Designed for both enterprise and premium consumer buyers, it can be configured with a 3K tandem OLED display featuring 120Hz refresh, 600 nits of brightness, a matte finish, and variable refresh rate. It also remains very lightweight around 2.5 pounds.
Powered by Intel Panther Lake CPUs up to an Ultra X9, the ExpertBook Ultra is designed to run at full wattage while staying quiet—ASUS claims fan noise as low as 35 dB. Battery life claims reach up to 24 hours, with fast charging delivering 50% in 30 minutes. Additional highlights include a haptic touchpad, six‑speaker audio system, nano‑ceramic coating, and warranty options up to five years.
Vivobook: Budget Options Get Modernized
ASUS refreshed both its standard Vivobook and Vivobook S lines with new Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors. The standout here is the Vivobook S 16 powered by Qualcomm silicon, which ASUS says will be aggressively priced. These updates aim to deliver better performance and efficiency without pushing prices upward.
ProArt: Big Updates for Creators
ProArt PX13
The ProArt PX13 receives a major CPU option upgrade with AMD’s Strix Halo platform. Configurations can include up to 128GB of unified memory, making it particularly appealing for AI, machine learning, and heavy creative workloads. The powerful integrated GPU approaches RTX 4060‑level performance while reducing weight compared to models with dedicated graphics.
ASUS also announced a special GoPro Edition of the PX13, bundled with a rugged carrying case and unique visual accents.
ProArt PZ14 Tablet
Previously known as the PZ13, the new PZ14 offers a larger display in a lighter chassis. It now includes a full‑size SD card reader and runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. The tablet ships with a detachable keyboard and the new ASUS Pen 3.0, which supports optional haptic feedback and stores directly in the chassis.
ProArt Accessories
ASUS also introduced a second‑generation ProArt Mouse with an endless metal scroll wheel, alongside a new low‑profile mechanical ProArt keyboard.
Gaming Laptops: More Power Where It Matters
Zephyrus G16 and G14
The Zephyrus G16 receives Intel Panther Lake CPUs and improved airflow, allowing ASUS to significantly increase GPU power limits. High‑end configurations now push RTX 5080 GPUs up to 160W, while mid‑range models also see meaningful wattage increases. The result should be noticeably higher sustained gaming performance if it can actually maintain its power draw.
The smaller Zephyrus G14 adds Intel processor options for the first time, pairing Panther Lake CPUs with higher GPU power limits than before. It also gains a full‑size SD card reader, a rare feature in 14‑inch gaming laptops.
Both models now feature brighter OLED displays exceeding 500 nits and improved hinges.
Zephyrus DUO
The Zephyrus DUO returns as a fully redesigned 16‑inch dual‑screen gaming laptop. It features two 2880×1800 OLED touch displays with 120Hz refresh rates and multiple usage modes, including stacked, side‑by‑side, and tent configurations. Internally, it pairs Intel Panther Lake CPUs with up to RTX 5090 graphics.
TUF A14
The TUF A14 gains a Strix Halo refresh in the U.S., offering strong integrated graphics performance in a more affordable chassis. Dedicated‑GPU versions remain available for users who prefer Nvidia graphics.
Final Thoughts
ASUS’s CES 2026 lineup shows a clear focus on refinement rather than radical redesigns—brighter displays, smarter cooling, stronger efficiency, and more flexible performance options. From experimental dual‑screen devices to polished business laptops and more powerful thin‑and‑light gaming machines, ASUS covered nearly every segment with meaningful updates.
As these devices roll out over the coming months, real‑world testing will determine how well ASUS’s ambitious efficiency and performance claims hold up. Stay tuned for our future coverage!