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| Asus new Zenbook S14 weighs just 1.2 kg. |
Asus has finally released new versions of the Zenbook S14 in North America. Presented in January during CES 2026, the new Zenbook S14 swaps Intel's Lunar Lake for its newer Panther Lake platform. This year's release is not a straightforward one, though.
In January, Asus indicated that the new Zenbook S14 would reach the US with Core Ultra X processors like the Core Ultra X7 368H or Core Ultra X9 388H. Currently, Asus is only offering lesser Core Ultra 7 356H and Core Ultra 9 386H options though, with weaker iGPUs than their Core Ultra X counterparts.
Asus Zenbook S14 UX5406: What’s Actually on Sale?
As a result of this chip swap, the new Zenbook S14 may trail last year’s model in games and other GPU-heavy workloads. For those hoping for a true next-gen performance leap, the current lineup feels like a bit of a letdown—at least on paper.
Stranger still, Asus initially charged less for the Core Ultra 9 386H in the US than its lesser Core Ultra 7 356H counterpart. Specifically, Asus priced the former at $1,599 and the latter at $1,999, both with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage.
Soon after, Asus increased the price of the Core Ultra 9 386H variant to $1,999. This updated pricing means that Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 SKUs now cost as much as each other. If you’re in the market, you can check out the full range of configurations at the official ASUS Zenbook S14 shop page or see what’s in stock at Best Buy.
Display, Battery, and Other Specs
Both variants feature a 72 Wh battery, as well as a 2.8K and 120 Hz OLED display with up to 1,100 nits peak brightness in HDR mode. That screen is a definite highlight—sharp, bright, and perfect for media consumption or creative work. The chassis remains impressively slim, and the build quality is what you’d expect from Asus’s premium Zenbook line.
Asus has not confirmed when Core Ultra X-backed SKUs will be available to purchase. For now, if you want the absolute best iGPU performance, you might want to hold off or consider other options.
If you’re still considering last year’s model, you can find the 2025 Zenbook S14 on Amazon for around $999 used. It’s a solid machine, but the 2026 version does bring a newer platform and a brighter display.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Asus Zenbook S14 is a confusing release. It promises next-gen performance with Panther Lake but delivers only mid-range Core Ultra chips at launch. The pricing oddities and lack of top-tier SKUs make it hard to recommend without reservations. If you need a new ultraportable right now, the current S14 models are still capable, but the smarter move might be to wait and see if Asus eventually brings the Core Ultra X variants to North America.
