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| The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (14IPH11) now comes with two cheaper Intel Panther Lake processor options. |
Just when you thought the premium ultraportable laptop market couldn’t get more interesting, Lenovo has pulled a quiet but significant move. Without any flashy press release or grand announcement, the company has started rolling out more affordable configurations of its Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (14IPH11) across Europe and Australia.
If you’ve been eyeing this sleek 14-inch laptop since its debut at MWC 2026, but balked at the price tag, now might be your moment. Let’s break down what’s changed, what you’re gaining (and losing), and whether the budget-friendly variants are worth your hard-earned cash.
A Quick Recap: The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition So Far
For those just tuning in, the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (model number 14IPH11) first hit North America just over a month ago. It later arrived in Europe around mid-March, riding the wave of Intel’s new Panther Lake processors. Initially, Lenovo offered only one processor choice: the Core Ultra 7 355 – a capable mid-range chip with 4 Cougar Cove P-cores and 4 Darkmont LP-cores.
That single-SKU strategy kept things simple, but it also locked the laptop into a higher price bracket. Now, Lenovo is expanding the lineup with two lower-tier Panther Lake chips: the Core Ultra 5 322 and Core Ultra 5 325. The result? Entry-level prices have dropped by as much as 22% in some regions.
Meet the New Chips: Core Ultra 5 322 vs. Core Ultra 5 325
Not all Core Ultra 5 processors are created equal. Here’s the honest breakdown:
Core Ultra 5 322 – The True Budget Option
This is currently the slowest member of Intel’s Panther Lake family. It packs just 2 Cougar Cove P-cores and 4 Darkmont LP-cores. The integrated GPU is where things get really tight – only 2 Xe3 cores. To put that in perspective, that’s one-sixth the graphics firepower of the Arc B390 found in higher-end laptops.
If you primarily browse the web, write documents, or stream video, the 322 will handle it. But heavy multitasking, photo editing, or any sort of gaming? You’ll want to look elsewhere.
Core Ultra 5 325 – The Sweet Spot
Think of the 325 as a downclocked Core Ultra 7 355. It keeps the same 8 CPU cores (4 P + 4 LP) and the same 4-core Xe3 iGPU as its bigger sibling. The only real difference is slightly lower clock speeds. For most everyday users, you’ll never notice the difference.
This is the configuration that strikes the best balance between price and performance.
Pricing & Availability: How Much Cheaper Are We Talking?
Here’s where things get interesting. Depending on where you live, the savings range from solid to substantial.
| Region | Starting Price (Core Ultra 5 322) | Savings vs. Original |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £1,017 | 15% less |
| Australia | AUD 1,699 | 22% less |
| Eurozone | €1,289 – €1,359 | 14–15% less |
Yes, you read that right – Australian buyers are looking at a 22% price cut. That’s not pocket change.
But before you rush to add to cart, there are a few important caveats.
The Fine Print: What You Lose With the Cheaper Model
Lenovo has made some compromises to hit those lower price points – and they’re not all processor-related.
Core Ultra 5 322 Restrictions:
- RAM is capped at 16GB (non-upgradeable, as is standard with LPDDR)
- No 2.8K 120Hz OLED display option – you’ll be stuck with a lower-resolution IPS panel
If you’re a power user who needs 32GB of RAM or that gorgeous OLED screen, the 322 model is a no-go.
Core Ultra 5 325 – No Such Restrictions
Want 32GB of RAM? The gorgeous 2.8K OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate? You can have both – as long as you pay a modest premium over the 322.
- UK: £30 surcharge
- Australia: AUD 100 extra
- Eurozone: €40 more
That’s honestly a steal for the performance uplift and display upgrade. If your budget can stretch that far, the 325 is the obvious choice.
What Stays the Same Across All SKUs?
Regardless of which processor or display you choose, every Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (14IPH11) ships with:
- Wi-Fi 7 – future-proof wireless connectivity
- 70 Wh battery – should easily last a full workday
- M.2 2242 storage – fast SSD, though a less common form factor
- LPDDR5X-7467 RAM – slightly slower than the LPDDR5X-8533 found in Lenovo’s Gen 10 models, but still plenty quick for daily tasks
Speaking of which, if you want to compare against the higher-end Gen 10 models, you can check current pricing on Amazon here.
Who Should Buy Which Model?
Let’s make this simple.
Buy the Core Ultra 5 322 if:
- You’re on a strict budget
- You don’t need more than 16GB of RAM
- You’re fine with a standard IPS display
- Your workload is light (browsing, streaming, Office apps)
Buy the Core Ultra 5 325 if:
- You can spare an extra £30/AUD 100/€40
- You want the option of 32GB RAM
- You crave that 2.8K 120Hz OLED screen
- You do occasional photo editing or light creative work
Stick with the Core Ultra 7 355 if:
- You need maximum CPU performance
- You’re a developer, video editor, or heavy multitasker
- Price is less of a concern
Where to Buy (Official Lenovo Links)
Lenovo is selling these new configurations directly through its regional websites. Here are the configurator pages for each country:
- Australia: Lenovo AU configurator
- France: Lenovo FR configurator
- Germany: Lenovo DE configurator
- Ireland: Lenovo IE configurator
- United Kingdom: Lenovo GB configurator
For more background on this laptop’s initial launch and MWC 2026 announcement, check out these earlier reports:
Final Take: A Smart Move by Lenovo
Quietly adding lower-tier configurations is a classic Lenovo play – and it’s a smart one. Not everyone needs a Core Ultra 7 processor or 32GB of RAM. By offering the Core Ultra 5 322 and 325, Lenovo opens the door to students, budget-conscious professionals, and anyone who simply doesn’t want to overspend on power they’ll never use.
The 22% price drop in Australia is particularly aggressive, and even the 14-15% savings in Europe and the UK make the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition far more competitive against mid-range offerings from Dell, HP, and ASUS.
Just be mindful of the trade-offs. If you can live with 16GB RAM and a non-OLED screen, the 322 is a fantastic value. But for most people, spending the extra £30 on the 325 is the smartest money you’ll spend all year.
Have you picked one up yet? Or are you waiting for even deeper discounts? Either way, Lenovo just made one of the best-looking ultraportables of 2026 a whole lot more accessible.
