ASUS Vivobook 16 (2025) Review: Great for Everyday Tasks, With Some Room for Improvement

The ASUS Vivobook 16 is aimed at students and casual users who need a large-screen laptop for productivity. It features Intel's Core Ultra 5 (Series 2) processor, a full-size keyboard with a numpad, USB-C charging, and a solid build.

On paper, it looks like a well-rounded option, but after using it for a while, I found that while it gets some things right, it struggles in areas that could make or break the experience for potential buyers.

PROS

• Nice keyboard with a tactile feel and full numpad
• Good quality webcam with useful Windows Studio Effects
• USB-C charging with a compact charger
• Decent performance for office work and light media consumption

CONS

• Dim and dull display
• Color accuracy is subpar for media consumption or creative work
• Mediocre speakers that lack depth
• Multi-core performance could be better
• No microSD card slot, which could be a drawback for some users

ASUS Vivobook 16 Specifications

• Display: 16-inch IPS, 60Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio, 300 nits brightness
• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5 225H (14 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.9GHz)
• RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
• Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Battery: 42Wh
• Ports: 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, Audio Jack
• Weight: 1.88kg
• Camera: FHD IR Camera with Windows Hello
• Build and Design: Sturdy but Not the Lightest

The first thing I noticed about the Vivobook 16 is its weight. At 1.88kg, it's not the heaviest 16-inch laptop out there, but it's also not the most portable. If you're someone who needs to carry their laptop around frequently, you might feel the extra weight. However, the build itself is solid, with ASUS boasting a MIL-STD 810H military-grade certification, meaning it can handle minor drops and rough use.

The 180-degree lay-flat hinge is a nice touch, adding flexibility for collaboration or adjusting the screen to a comfortable angle. However, the chassis, while durable, is made of plastic that tends to pick up smudges and dirt easily, which means frequent cleaning is necessary to keep it looking fresh.

Ports and Connectivity: Mostly Good, But No MicroSD Slot

The port selection is solid, with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an audio jack. However, there's no microSD card slot, which could be a drawback for photographers or content creators who frequently transfer files from cameras or mobile devices.

Display: The Weakest Link

A 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio is always a welcome addition for productivity-focused users, as it provides more vertical space for documents, spreadsheets, and web browsing. The Vivobook 16's WUXGA (1920x1200) IPS panel does a decent job in these areas, but it comes with a few noticeable compromises.

The brightness maxes out at 300 nits, which is acceptable for indoor use but struggles in bright environments. Even in well-lit rooms, I found myself keeping the brightness at max, and it still felt a bit dim at times. If you're someone who works in spaces with a lot of natural light, this might not be ideal. Outdoor usage is even more challenging, as the screen doesn't get bright enough to remain visible under direct sunlight.

Color accuracy is another area where the display falls short. With only 45% NTSC coverage, colors look washed out and lack richness. This is fine for everyday work like web browsing and document editing, but if you're into photo or video editing, content creation, or watching high-quality media, you may find the visuals underwhelming. Compared to laptops with higher sRGB or DCI-P3 coverage, the difference is noticeable.

The 60Hz refresh rate is standard for this price segment, but if you're used to higher refresh rate panels (like 120Hz or 144Hz), you'll feel the difference. Scrolling and animations don't feel as smooth, and motion blur is slightly noticeable when moving quickly through web pages or UI elements.

The MyAsus app offers a "Vivid" profile for the display, but I found it underwhelming. While it does enhance colors slightly compared to the default mode, the difference isn't significant or particularly impressive.

Performance: Gets the Job Done

The Vivobook 16 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H processor, featuring 14 cores and 16 threads with clock speeds of up to 4.9GHz. On paper, this sounds powerful, but real-world performance tells a different story.

Benchmarks and Comparisons

When compared to similar laptops, I found some interesting results. The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1, which runs the Ultra 5 (Series 1), was slightly behind in single-core performance but actually outperformed the Vivobook in multi-core tasks. Even more surprising was the Snapdragon X Plus, which has only 8 cores yet managed to score higher in multi-core benchmarks.

I initially tested the laptop on Balanced mode, and while the performance was decent, I wanted to push it further. Switching to Best Performance mode, I was expecting a more noticeable improvement, but while the multi-core score increased slightly, it still couldn't cross the 10,000 mark, something both the Series 1 Ultra 5 and the Snapdragon X Plus managed to do.

This raises some concerns about Intel's Series 2 lineup, as it seems less efficient than expected in handling multi-core workloads.

Real-World Usage

That said, benchmarks only tell part of the story. In real-world use, the Vivobook 16 kept up well with daily tasks. With multiple Chrome tabs open, Slack running in the background, a 1080p video streaming, and a few AI assistants active, the laptop handled everything smoothly.

For browsing, working on documents and spreadsheets, and handling light media editing, this laptop is more than sufficient. However, if you're looking to use it for content creation, video editing, or programming, you'll need a more powerful machine.

ASUS does offer higher-end models better suited for demanding workflows, but they come at a premium price. If your workflow involves multitasking but isn't heavily dependent on intensive workloads, this laptop can still get the job done.

Gaming and Graphics: Not Built for It

While this laptop is not designed for gaming, I tried running Marvel Rivals on low settings with anti-aliasing off. The game crashed within five minutes, citing a GPU error. I retried the game by playing in training mode, which worked fine, but as soon as I switched to a quick match, it crashed again.

For casual games, this laptop may handle older titles, but if you're expecting smooth performance on even moderately demanding games, this is not the laptop for you.

Keyboard and Touchpad: Well-Designed for Productivity

The ASUS ErgoSense keyboard on this laptop is genuinely pleasant to use. The keys have 1.7mm travel, making them responsive and comfortable for long typing sessions. The backlit keyboard is useful in low-light environments, and the inclusion of a numpad is always welcome on a 16-inch laptop.

The trackpad is large and supports smart gestures, allowing you to adjust brightness and volume by sliding your fingers along its edges. This makes quick adjustments seamless without needing to fiddle with function keys. ASUS has also included a dedicated Copilot key, giving users quick access to AI-powered assistance in Windows 11.

Webcam and Speakers: One Surprises, One Disappoints

The FHD IR camera with Windows Hello support is one of the better webcams I've used on a mid-range laptop. It includes AI-powered features like background blur, eye contact correction, and automatic framing, which makes video calls look more polished. The inclusion of a physical privacy shutter is also a thoughtful addition.

Unfortunately, the speakers leave a lot to be desired, even with Dirac certification. The audio feels flat and lacks depth, which isn't great if you enjoy watching movies or listening to music. There's a "Volume Booster" toggle in the MyAsus app, which helps a little with loudness, but it doesn't do much to improve the overall sound quality. If audio matters to you, I'd definitely recommend using external speakers or headphones.

Battery Life & Charging: Reliable for Daily Use

The Vivobook 16 packs a 50Wh battery, which is fairly standard for this segment. In everyday use, battery life is decent but not outstanding.

With a mix of web browsing, document editing, and some media consumption, I was able to get around 6 of battery life before needing to recharge. Heavy multitasking or extended video playback will drain it faster, but for a full day of moderate use, it holds up reasonably well.

Charging is done via USB-C, and the included charger is compact and travel-friendly. In my test, the laptop went from 8% to 80% in about an hour, which is good enough for quick top-ups during the day.

Should You Buy the ASUS Vivobook 16?

I wanted to like this laptop more than I did. It does a lot right, especially with its keyboard, trackpad, and AI-powered webcam. But the dim and dull display makes it a tough recommendation unless you're using it strictly indoors. At ₹75,990, it's not exactly cheap, and for this price, a better display should have been included.

If display quality isn't a priority for you, it's a decent productivity laptop, but for anyone expecting a more vibrant screen or stronger performance, there are better alternatives.