ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) vs MSI Katana 15 HX
Both are good choices with different strengths. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 lasts longer on a charge and has Thunderbolt or USB4, while the MSI Katana 15 HX is lighter, has a sharper screen and has more accurate colour.
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Key differences
- Battery life ASUS ROG Strix G16 wins
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 should last longer on a charge: it has a 90 Wh battery against 75 Wh.
- Weight MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX is 0.3 kg lighter: 2.4 kg against 2.65 kg.
- Sharpness MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX's screen is sharper: 2.5K against Full HD.
- Colour MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX's screen shows a wider range of colour (100% DCI-P3 (Typical) against 100% sRGB), so photos and films look richer and truer.
- Ports ASUS ROG Strix G16 wins
Only the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has Thunderbolt or USB4.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS ROG Strix G16 if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives).
- You want a little more room on screen: it's 16 inches.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 HX if…
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.3 kg lighter.
- 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 (Typical).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe ASUS ROG Strix G16 leads on battery and weight and ports and wireless, while the MSI Katana 15 HX leads on the screen. 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 | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-14650HX | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 115 W | 115 W |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | 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 | 2 | 1 |
Screen
The MSI Katana 15 HX is ahead on the screen.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a slightly bigger screen: 16" against 15.6". The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a slightly bigger screen, while the MSI Katana 15 HX has a sharper screen and has more accurate colour.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | 2.5K (2560 x 1440) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 165 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | 100% DCI-P3 (Typical) |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 lasts longer on a charge and is slimmer, while the MSI Katana 15 HX is lighter.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 90 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Charger | 280 W | 240 W |
| Charges via | Barrel (rectangle connector); USB-C PD up to 100W | — |
| Weight | 2.65 kg | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 354 x 268 x 22.8-30.8 mm | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Colour | Eclipse Gray | Black |
| Colours available | Eclipse Gray, Volt Green | Black |
Ports and wireless
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4 and has Wi-Fi 7, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 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 | 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 4 | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | 1x RJ45 LAN | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is ahead on extras.
It has a sharper webcam, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | None | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Copilot key, 4-zone RGB backlight | 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key |
| Login | Face | — |
| Speakers | 2-speaker system, Smart Amplifier, Dolby Atmos | 2x 2W, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | built-in array microphone, AI noise-cancelling | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM (firmware), BIOS admin and user password | 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 | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | G615JMR-AS74 | B14WFK-810US |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |