ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 vs MSI Katana 15 HX
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, is more compact and has an OLED screen. Pick the MSI Katana 15 HX only if it matters to you that it has a bigger screen and has a smoother screen.
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Key differences
- Memory ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 wins
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Screen size Depends on you
The MSI Katana 15 HX has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is more compact.
- OLED screen ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 wins
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 has an OLED screen, with true blacks and richer colour than the MSI Katana 15 HX's LCD.
- Smoothness MSI Katana 15 HX wins
The MSI Katana 15 HX's 165 Hz screen is smoother than the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405's 120 Hz one, which shows in fast games.
- Weight ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 wins
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is 0.9 kg lighter: 1.5 kg against 2.4 kg.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14-inch screen.
- You watch a lot of films and video, or edit photos: its OLED screen has true blacks and rich colour.
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.9 kg lighter.
Choose the MSI Katana 15 HX if…
- You want more room to work: its 15.6-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You play fast games: its 165 Hz screen keeps motion smooth.
- You plug things in: it has Ethernet (for wired internet).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 leads on performance, the screen, battery and weight and extras; 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
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 has more memory, while the MSI Katana 15 HX can be upgraded.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 115 W | 115 W |
| AI engine (NPU) | 50 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X-8533 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | 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 | 1 |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The MSI Katana 15 HX has the bigger screen (15.6" against 14"), while the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is more compact. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is more compact, has an OLED screen and has a sharper screen, while the MSI Katana 15 HX has a bigger screen and has a smoother screen.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 15.6" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1800) | 2.5K (2560 x 1440) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | — |
| Brightness | 1,100 nits | — |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% DCI-P3 (Typical) |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 | — |
| Finish | Anti-reflective | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is lighter and is slimmer, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 20 hours | — |
| Battery capacity | 73 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Charger | 250 W | 240 W |
| Charges via | barrel | — |
| Fast charging | 0-50% in 30 minutes | — |
| Weight | 1.5 kg | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 311 x 220 x 15.9-16.3 mm | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Materials | CNC-machined aluminium alloy | — |
| Colour | Gray | Black |
| Colours available | Eclipse Gray, Platinum White | Black |
Ports and wireless
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is ahead on ports and wireless.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader and has Wi-Fi 7, while the MSI Katana 15 HX has Ethernet.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort, power delivery/charging, 40Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, power delivery/charging), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x SD card reader (UHS-II), 1x 3.5 mm combo audio | 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 | SD (UHS-II, 312MB/s) | None |
| Ethernet | None | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features and has a sharper webcam, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 720p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit chiclet single-zone RGB, Copilot key, 1.7 mm travel, N-key rollover, anti-shine keycap coating | 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key |
| Login | Face | — |
| Number pad | No | — |
| Touchpad | Extra-large touchpad | — |
| Speakers | 4-speaker system (dual-force woofers, 2 tweeters), Smart Amp, Dolby Atmos | 2x 2W, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | Built-in array microphone, AI noise-canceling | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Secured-core PC (Level 3), Microsoft Pluton security processor, BIOS administrator and user password protection | Firmware TPM (fTPM) 2.0 |
Software and model
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) GU405 | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | GU405AP-SY004W | B14WFK-810US |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |