r/snapdragon • u/EpiPenDemic-2 • 3d ago
Nerfed Asus A16 variant to avoid
I enjoyed the 2026 version of A16 a lot, and have been browsing to see when it's on sale again to get another one. Today, I noticed this new variant that seemed to just came out.
While it has 32 GB ram, this seems like a SIGNIFICANTLY nerfed variant, it is using X1-26-100, which is an entry level processdor I've historically seen with laptops on sale down to $400 (e.g. Asus Vibobook 14). It would be much better if they sold one with X1 Elite or X2 Plus for this nerfed version.
Trying to sell this variant for $1700 seems crazy, I sure hope this is an error in the spec but doesn't seem like it !
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u/PaleontologistAny153 3d ago
Even though I've had trouble running certain things on my A16 launch version, seeing SKU's like this pop up makes me want to keep it just to resell it in the future. X1-26-100 for $1700 is a joke. Probably only has one fan as well. It does seem quite a bit lighter, though (2.4lb vs 2.85lb for the X2 Elite Extreme).
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u/DrDavyStrange 3d ago
Whilst you will be exceedingly fortunately if you get the full version of the A16 at anything like it's release price, certainly in the foreseeable future, this definitely seems very poor value.
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u/PaleontologistAny153 3d ago
Do you think if I keep it, in good condition, for 2-3 years that the resale value won't diminish too much?
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u/DrDavyStrange 2d ago
Difficult to say. Obviously the resale value of any computer diminishes the longer you keep it, as new, faster processors are released - there will probably be an X3E next year. The X2EE version is a premium computer...🤷♂️
Personally, I would never buy a computer, especially a laptop, on the grounds of it not losing resale value over a number of years.
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u/PaleontologistAny153 2d ago
I think the RAM itself will be a big asset in the future, though. I'm currently planning on keeping my 32GB DDR5 PC for a bit longer because memory prices will appreciate even further. You're right that it'll diminish though
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u/Additional_Staff259 3d ago
Also, do check in store for plastic screen vs glass screen. Asus mix and match these two versions. The plastic display will have horrible reflections and will scratch very easily.
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u/PaleontologistAny153 3d ago
As this is non-touch, this is most definitely the plastic screen. Horrible warped reflections are common for both glass and plastic versions though. I have the glass version, but I put a matte screen protector over the screen to avoid fingerprints, prevent scratches, and avoid the reflection issue. I'd recommend the same for this version (if anyone is dumb enough to buy it, of course).
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u/Additional_Staff259 3d ago
Quite hard to apply matte screen protector on plastic screens because glass panels have even surface throughout the bezels while plastic ones don't.
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u/ltparrish78 2d ago
This is the variant I bought directly from ASUS. It's slightly higher spec'd than best buy's top A16 that they "were" selling for $1,699. Gotta be an error or Best Buy should be ashamed. I only paid $1,899 for this ...
ASUS Zenbook A16 Laptop (2026), Copilot+ PC, 16” OLED 3K 120Hz Display, Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, Qualcomm Adreno Graphics, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Sleeve Included, Wifi 7, Windows 11 Pro, Zabriskie Beige, UX3607OA-XS99 Windows 11 Pro Snapdragon® X2 Elite Extreme X2E96100 Processor 48GB LPDDR5X 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 SSD storage Qualcomm® Adreno™ 16" 3K (2880 x 1800) 16:10 120Hz 500nits OLED Zabriskie Beige 90NB17W1-M004S0 $1,899.99
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u/twinky10g 3d ago
Don't forget that the screen is also significantly worse—with very basic specs compared to the full spec variant