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| The Zenbook S16 gets a design refresh and a 5 Wh battery increase, bringing it to 83 Wh. |
If you've been waiting to get your hands on one of the most anticipated laptops of the early year, Asus has just quietly opened the gates. Following its global unveiling at CES 2026 and a subsequent China-only variant launch, the sleek Asus Zenbook S16 is now officially available for pre-order in select European markets, marking its first major step into Western hands.
This move comes just a week after the company released the similar Zenbook 16 Air in China, a model equipped with AMD's latest processors and a large 83 Wh battery. The global Zenbook S16 sits as its direct counterpart, boasting the same elegant, lightweight design philosophy Asus has become known for.
European Rollout Begins: UK and Poland First in Line
As of now, prospective buyers in the United Kingdom and Poland can secure their unit. Asus is expected to expand availability to Germany and other European nations shortly. The initial configurations are premium, focusing on the top-tier silicon from AMD's new lineup.
In the UK, the Zenbook S16 is listed with a Ryzen AI 9 465 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and a sizable 2 TB SSD, priced at £1,699.99. Polish customers can pre-order a similar configuration, though with a 1 TB SSD, for PLN 7,499.
Where to Pre-Order: You can check the official listings for yourself here: Asus Poland Store and Asus UK Store.
Both prices include VAT, and shipments are slated to begin in early February. The price discrepancy and storage difference highlight how regional SKUs can vary, a common practice in the global laptop market.
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| The new Zenbook S16 is comparatively light for a 16-inch laptop at just 1.5 kg. |
A Cheaper Model is on the Horizon
For those looking for a slightly more accessible entry point, Asus UK has already teased a more affordable variant. A model featuring the Ryzen AI 7 445 chip, paired with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, will retail for £1,499.99. This model isn't available for pre-order yet but signals Asus's intent to cater to a broader audience with this redesigned series.
The US Market Holds On to Older Models (For Now)
Interestingly, the rollout seems phased. While Europe gets the newest configurations, the official Asus US online store currently only lists older Zenbook S16 models from the previous cycle. These are equipped with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Ryzen AI 9 365 processors, which are still powerful chips but not the very latest.
If you're in the U.S. and curious about those current deals, you can find them on retailers like Amazon, where pricing is competitive. For example, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 model with 32 GB RAM is currently listed here on Amazon for around $1,283.
What This Means for Buyers
The staggered release allows Asus to manage inventory and gauge demand regionally. For European tech enthusiasts, it's a chance to be among the first to experience AMD's latest "Gorgon Point" architecture in one of the thinnest and lightest 16-inch form factors available.
The key takeaway? The Zenbook S16 is finally moving from press releases to real-world pre-orders. If you're in the UK or Poland, you can reserve your unit today. For everyone else, keeping an eye on your local Asus store in the coming weeks is highly recommended, as a wider launch appears imminent.