MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) vs MSI Katana 15 HX
The MSI Raider 16 HX is the better laptop on paper: it is better for gaming, lasts longer on a charge and has a smoother screen. The MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
- Gaming MSI Raider 16 HX wins
The MSI Raider 16 HX is the one for gaming: its RTX 5070 Ti plays the latest games at very high settings, while the MSI Katana 15 HX with its RTX 5060 plays modern games at high settings.
- Battery life MSI Raider 16 HX wins
The MSI Raider 16 HX should last longer on a charge: it has a 91.8 Wh battery against 75 Wh.
- Smoothness MSI Raider 16 HX wins
The MSI Raider 16 HX's 240 Hz screen is smoother than the MSI Katana 15 HX's 165 Hz one, which shows in fast games.
- Ports MSI Raider 16 HX wins
Only the MSI Raider 16 HX has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the MSI Raider 16 HX if…
- You play games: its RTX 5070 Ti plays the latest games at very high settings.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge.
- 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 do demanding work: its Intel Core i7 14th gen HX is built for heavy creative work.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: it has 16 GB of memory.
- You keep big files on the laptop: it has 1 TB of storage.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe MSI Raider 16 HX leads on performance, 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
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on performance.
It is better for gaming, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop |
| Graphics memory | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics power (TGP) | 140 W | 115 W |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-5600 |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 96 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Upgradeable (slots) | Upgradeable (slots) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD | PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 2 | 1 |
Screen
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on the screen.
The MSI Raider 16 HX 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 | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | 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) |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | — | Matte |
| Touchscreen | No | — |
Battery and size
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge and is slimmer, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 91.8 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Charger | 280 W | 240 W |
| Charges via | barrel | — |
| Weight | 2.45 kg | 2.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 363 x 269.7 x 21.95-25.85 mm | 359 x 262 x 25.5 mm |
| Colour | Core Black | Black |
| Colours available | Core Black | Black |
Ports and wireless
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4 and an SD card reader and has Wi-Fi 7, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort, Power Delivery 3.1), 1x HDMI 2.1 (8K 60Hz / 4K 120Hz), 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x 2.5GbE RJ-45, 1x SD Express | 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 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | SD Express | None |
| Ethernet | 2.5 GbE RJ-45 | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on extras.
It has a sharper webcam, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p IR, HDR, 3D noise reduction | 720p |
| Webcam privacy | webcam shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | 24-zone RGB gaming keyboard with Copilot key, 99 keys | 4-Zone RGB Gaming Keyboard with Copilot Key |
| Login | Face | — |
| Number pad | Yes | — |
| Speakers | 2x 2W speakers + 2x 2W woofers, Dynaudio | 2x 2W, Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res Audio Ready |
| Microphones | array microphone | — |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | firmware TPM 2.0, Kensington lock, webcam shutter | Firmware TPM (fTPM) 2.0 |
Software and model
The MSI Raider 16 HX is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the MSI Katana 15 HX doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | MSI Raider 16 HX (B2W) | MSI Katana 15 HX |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | 9S7-265122-239 | B14WFK-810US |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |