Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) vs ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025)
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is the better laptop on paper: it has a smoother screen, has a sharper screen and has more accurate colour. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
- Smoothness Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI's 240 Hz screen is smoother than the ASUS ROG Strix G16's 165 Hz one, which shows in fast games.
- Sharpness Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI's screen is sharper: 2.5K against Full HD.
- Colour Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI's screen shows a wider range of colour (100% DCI-P3 against 100% sRGB), so photos and films look richer and truer.
- Ports Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
Only the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI has an SD card reader.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI if…
- You play fast games: its 240 Hz screen keeps motion smooth.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You edit photos or care about colour: its screen covers 100% DCI-P3.
- You plug things in: it has an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Choose the ASUS ROG Strix G16 if…
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 7 gets more out of a modern router.
- You do demanding work: its Intel Core i7 14th gen HX is built for heavy creative work.
- You want to play games too: it plays modern games at high settings.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI leads on the screen; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Both laptops are very close on performance.
Their processors are in the same class: both are built for heavy creative work, and both have 16 GB of memory.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 115 W | 115 W |
| AI engine (NPU) | 13 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | — | 2 |
Screen
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is ahead on the screen.
It has a smoother screen, has a sharper screen and has more accurate colour, and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16" | 16" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% sRGB |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is ahead on battery and weight.
It is slimmer, and the ASUS ROG Strix G16 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 8 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 90 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Charger | 230 W | 280 W |
| Charges via | — | Barrel (rectangle connector); USB-C PD up to 100W |
| Weight | 2.7 kg | 2.65 kg |
| Dimensions | 356.8 x 275.5 x 13.47-23.90 mm | 354 x 268 x 22.8-30.8 mm |
| Colour | Black | Eclipse Gray |
| Colours available | — | Eclipse Gray, Volt Green |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI has an SD card reader, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has Wi-Fi 7.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (1 of them Thunderbolt), 1x HDMI, 1x 5 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45, 1x microSD | 1x 3.5 mm combo audio, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, power delivery, 10Gbps), 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort, power delivery, G-SYNC, 40Gbps), 1x RJ45 LAN |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 4 |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | 5 GbE RJ-45 | 1x RJ45 LAN |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 or above | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | — | 1080p + IR |
| Webcam privacy | — | None |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | RGB 4-zone backlight, PredatorSense key, Caps Lock and microphone mute indicators | Copilot key, 4-zone RGB backlight |
| Login | — | Face |
| Speakers | 2 speakers | 2-speaker system, Smart Amplifier, Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | Built-in microphone | built-in array microphone, AI noise-cancelling |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Kensington lock, Firmware TPM | TPM (firmware), BIOS admin and user password |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | NH.QX3EK.002 | G615JMR-AS74 |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |