ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) vs ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR)
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is the better laptop on paper: it is better for gaming, has more memory and has a bigger screen. Pick the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 only if it matters to you that it is more compact and is lighter.
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Key differences
- Gaming ASUS ROG Strix G18 wins
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is the one for gaming: its RTX 5070 Ti plays the latest games at very high settings, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 with its RTX 5070 plays modern games at high settings.
- Memory ASUS ROG Strix G18 wins
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 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 ASUS ROG Strix G18 has the bigger screen (18" against 16"), while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is more compact.
- Smoothness ASUS ROG Strix G18 wins
The ASUS ROG Strix G18's 300 Hz screen is smoother than the ASUS TUF Gaming A16's 144 Hz one, which shows in fast games.
- Weight ASUS TUF Gaming A16 wins
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is 1 kg lighter: 2.2 kg against 3.2 kg.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 if…
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 16-inch screen.
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 1 kg lighter.
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories).
Choose the ASUS ROG Strix G18 if…
- You play games: its RTX 5070 Ti plays the latest games at very high settings.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You want more room to work: its 18-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You play fast games: its 300 Hz screen keeps motion smooth.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe ASUS TUF Gaming A16 leads on battery and weight, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 leads on performance and the screen. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is ahead on performance.
It is better for gaming and has more memory, and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 115 W | 140 W |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 13 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 64 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 4.0 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
Screen
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is ahead on the screen.
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 has the bigger screen (18" against 16"), while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is more compact. The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is more compact, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has a bigger screen, has a smoother screen and has a sharper screen.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16" | 18" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz | 300 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | Yes |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | 100% DCI-P3 |
| HDR | — | None |
| Finish | Matte | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is lighter and is slimmer, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 charges over USB-C.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 90 Wh | 90 Wh |
| Charger | 280 W | 280 W |
| Charges via | barrel | Barrel (rectangle connector) + USB-C PD up to 100W |
| Fast charging | — | None |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 3.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 354 x 269 x 17.9-27.3 mm | 399 x 298 x 23.5-32 mm |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H | — |
| Colour | Grey | Gray |
| Colours available | Grey | — |
Ports and wireless
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is ahead on ports and wireless.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has USB-A, while the ASUS ROG Strix G18 has Thunderbolt or USB4 and has Wi-Fi 7.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, charging, G-Sync), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, G-Sync), 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x RJ-45 | 1x 3.5 mm combo audio jack, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gbps), 2x Thunderbolt 5 (DisplayPort, power delivery charging, G-SYNC, up to 120Gbps), 1x 2.5G LAN (RJ45) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | Thunderbolt 5 |
| Card reader | — | None |
| Ethernet | RJ-45 Ethernet | 2.5G LAN |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is ahead on extras.
It has a number pad, and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 1080p + IR |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | 1-zone RGB backlit chiclet keyboard, Copilot key | Backlit chiclet, per-key RGB, Num-key, Copilot key |
| Login | Face | Face |
| Number pad | No | Yes |
| Touchpad | touchpad | — |
| Speakers | 2-speaker system, Dolby Atmos | 2-speaker system, Smart Amp, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res certification (headphone) |
| Microphones | array microphone with AI noise cancelling | Built-in array microphone, AI noise-canceling |
| Pen | — | No |
| Security | firmware TPM, BIOS administrator and user passwords | Firmware TPM, BIOS administrator and user password |
Software and model
The ASUS ROG Strix G18 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (FA608) | ASUS ROG Strix G18 (G815LR) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Update promise | — | None |
| Model number | FA608PP-TU094W | G815LR-TT281W |
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |