Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) vs MSI Katana 15 HX
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is the better laptop on paper: it lasts longer on a charge, has a smoother screen and has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader. Pick the MSI Katana 15 HX only if it matters to you that it is lighter.
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Key differences
- Battery life Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI should last longer on a charge: it has a 90 Wh battery against 75 Wh.
- Smoothness Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI's 240 Hz screen is smoother than the MSI Katana 15 HX's 165 Hz one, which shows in fast games.
- Weight MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX is 0.3 kg lighter: 2.4 kg against 2.7 kg.
- Ports Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI wins
Only the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 8 hours).
- You play fast games: its 240 Hz screen keeps motion smooth.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Choose the MSI Katana 15 HX if…
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.3 kg lighter.
- 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 battery and weight, the screen and ports and wireless; 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) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 | PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | — | 1 |
Screen
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is ahead on the screen.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI has a slightly bigger screen: 16" against 15.6". It has a smoother screen and has a slightly bigger screen, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 2.5K (2560 x 1440) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% DCI-P3 (Typical) |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI lasts longer on a charge and is slimmer, while the MSI Katana 15 HX is lighter.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 8 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 90 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Charger | 230 W | 240 W |
| Weight | 2.7 kg | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 356.8 x 275.5 x 13.47-23.90 mm | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| Colours available | — | Black |
Ports and wireless
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.0), 1x HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz), 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x 3.5 mm mic-in/headphone-out combo |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | microSD | None |
| Ethernet | 5 GbE RJ-45 | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 or above | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| 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) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | — | 720p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | RGB 4-zone backlight, PredatorSense key, Caps Lock and microphone mute indicators | 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key |
| Speakers | 2 speakers | 2x 2W, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | Built-in microphone | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Kensington lock, Firmware TPM | Firmware TPM (fTPM) 2.0 |
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) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | NH.QX3EK.002 | B14WFK-810US |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |