Alienware 15 vs Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250)
The Alienware 16 Aurora is the better laptop on paper: it is better for gaming, lasts longer on a charge and has more storage. Pick the Alienware 15 only if it matters to you that it has a smoother screen and is lighter.
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Key differences
- Gaming Alienware 16 Aurora wins
The Alienware 16 Aurora is the one for gaming: its RTX 5060 plays modern games at high settings, while the Alienware 15 with its RTX 5050 plays modern games at 1080p.
- Battery life Alienware 16 Aurora wins
The Alienware 16 Aurora should last longer on a charge: it has a 96 Wh battery against 70 Wh.
- Storage Alienware 16 Aurora wins
The Alienware 16 Aurora has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Smoothness Alienware 15 wins
The Alienware 15's 165 Hz screen is smoother than the Alienware 16 Aurora's 120 Hz one, which shows in fast games.
- Weight Alienware 15 wins
The Alienware 15 is 0.3 kg lighter: 2.2 kg against 2.49 kg.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Alienware 15 if…
- You play fast games: its 165 Hz screen keeps motion smooth.
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.3 kg lighter.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2026.
Choose the Alienware 16 Aurora if…
- You play games: its RTX 5060 plays modern games at high settings.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Alienware 16 Aurora leads on performance and battery and weight; 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
The Alienware 16 Aurora is ahead on performance.
It is better for gaming and has more storage, and the Alienware 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 7 240H | Intel Core 7 240H |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | — | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2230 |
| Storage slots | — | 2 |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Alienware 16 Aurora has a slightly bigger screen: 16" against 15.3". The Alienware 15 has a smoother screen, while the Alienware 16 Aurora has a sharper screen, has more accurate colour and has a slightly bigger screen.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.3" | 16" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | LCD |
| Refresh rate | 165 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 300 nits |
| Colour range | 62.5% sRGB | 100% sRGB (typical) |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | — | Anti-reflective |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Alienware 15 is lighter, while the Alienware 16 Aurora lasts longer on a charge and is slimmer.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 70 Wh | 96 Wh |
| Charger | 180 W | — |
| Charges via | 7.4 mm barrel | barrel |
| Fast charging | — | ExpressCharge Boost: 0 to 35% in 20 minutes (computer off) |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 2.49 kg |
| Dimensions | 349.5 x 250.3 x 22.95 mm | 356.98 x 265.43 x 18.6-22.7 mm |
| Colour | Nova Black | Interstellar Indigo |
| Colours available | Nova Black | — |
Ports and wireless
The Alienware 16 Aurora is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Wi-Fi 7, and the Alienware 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4a; charging), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet (1GbE), 1x 3.5 mm universal audio | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, DisplayPort, Power Delivery - charges), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4a), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet (1 GbE), 1x 3.5 mm universal audio jack, 1x DC power-in |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | 1 GbE RJ-45 | 1 GbE RJ-45 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 MT7920 | MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 MT7925 (MT7925B22M) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | 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 | Alienware 15 | Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p | 720p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | white-backlit UK keyboard with numeric keypad | White backlit, English UK 102 keys, 18.70 x 18.05 mm key pitch |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | Yes | Yes |
| Touchpad | — | 115 x 70 mm |
| Speakers | — | 2 speakers, 2 W average / 2.5 W peak each |
| Microphones | dual-array microphones | digital-array microphones in the camera assembly |
| Pen | No | No |
Software and model
The Alienware 15 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Alienware 16 Aurora doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Alienware 15 | Alienware 16 Aurora (AC16250) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | AWDA15260-7288BLK-PGB | RTV1V |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |