 |
| Asus' latest Vivobook laptops and convertibles all feature Snapdragon X1 (X1-26-100) processors. |
It’s been a busy year for Asus already, and the company isn’t slowing down. After a flurry of announcements at CES 2026, the Taiwanese laptop maker is back with more additions to its ever-expanding Vivobook range. But here’s the twist: while we were expecting next-gen chips, Asus is doubling down on Qualcomm’s older Snapdragon X platform for these latest machines.
Let’s rewind quickly. Back in January during CES 2026, Asus refreshed the popular Vivobook S14 and Vivobook S16 with a mix of cutting-edge processors. At the time, the company revealed AMD Ryzen AI 400 and Snapdragon X2 versions of the Vivobook S16, while the Vivobook S14 only got Intel Panther Lake options. It made sense – different chips for different sizes and use cases.
But now, Asus has quietly announced four new Vivobook models built around Qualcomm’s first-gen Snapdragon X processor (specifically the X1P-26-100). Before you ask: yes, Asus confirmed to us that the “X1-26-101” label that briefly appeared on some product pages was a typo. So don’t let that confuse you.
Meet the New Vivobook Quartet
The four new laptops are:
- Vivobook S14 (S5408) – Official Asus page
- Vivobook S16 (S5608) – Official Asus page
- Vivobook S14 Flip (TP5408) – Official Asus page
- Vivobook S16 Flip (TP5608) – Official Asus page
Yes, the naming is getting a little messy. We’ve already reviewed the Vivobook S16 (S3607) with the same 8-core Snapdragon X processor, so on paper these new S5608 and S3607 models might look identical. But Asus insists there are refinements – mainly around display quality and chassis tuning.
Speaking of déjà vu, the same thing happened with the Zenbook A14. That model originally launched with Snapdragon X, but Asus has since replaced it with newer Snapdragon X2-based versions – which we’ve already reviewed as well. If you’re curious about how that next-gen chip performs, check out our deep dive on the Zenbook A14 Snapdragon X2 Elite here. And if you’re thinking of grabbing the older Zenbook A14 while it’s still around, it’s currently available for $1,229 on Amazon.
OLED Across the Board – A Welcome Constant
One thing Asus isn’t skimping on is the display. All four new models – the S5408, S5608, TP5408, and TP5608 – will come with OLED panels. That’s excellent news for anyone who’s grown attached to the deep blacks and vibrant colors that Asus OLED laptops are known for. Whether you go for the 14-inch or 16-inch version, or the Flip models that double as tablets, you’re getting that gorgeous, high-contrast screen.
No word yet on refresh rate or resolution specifics, but given Asus’s track record with the Vivobook series, expect at least 2.8K or 3K options with 120Hz refresh rates on higher trims.
The Catch: Soldered RAM and Modest Storage
Now for the painful part. Asus has confirmed that all four Vivobook models will be limited to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM. And yes, it’s soldered – so no upgrading later. That’s a real head-scratcher in 2026, especially for 16-inch “prosumer” laptops. Power users who like to keep dozens of Chrome tabs open or run virtual machines will feel the squeeze.
Storage is a bit more flexible, but not by much. You’ll get up to 512 GB of PCIe 4.0 SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor. That’s replaceable, thankfully, so you can drop in a larger drive if you’re comfortable opening up the laptop. But 512 GB as a maximum option from the factory feels stingy when 1 TB SSDs are practically standard on mid-range laptops nowadays.
Battery Life Claims That Raise Eyebrows
Here’s where things get interesting. Despite the size difference between the 14-inch and 16-inch models, Asus is equipping all four laptops with a 50 Wh battery. That’s on the smaller side for a 16-inch laptop – many competitors pack 70 Wh or more. But Asus claims you’ll still get over 25 hours of battery life when playing 1080p video at 150 nits of brightness.
Let’s be realistic: that number comes from a very controlled test. In everyday use (Wi-Fi on, 200-250 nits, mixed browsing and streaming), you’ll likely see half that. Still, the Snapdragon X platform is known for efficiency, so 10-12 hours of real-world use might be achievable. We’ll reserve judgment until we get review units.
Pricing and Availability – Still a Mystery
Asus hasn’t confirmed pricing or release dates for the S5408, S5608, TP5408, or TP5608 yet. Given that they’re using the older Snapdragon X chip (not the faster X2 or Ryzen AI 400), we’d expect these to be positioned as affordable or mid-range OLED laptops. A starting price around $799 to $999 would make sense, but that’s pure speculation.
The Flip models (TP5408 and TP5608) will likely command a $100–$200 premium for their 360-degree hinges and touchscreen support.
Final Thoughts – Who Are These For?
These new Vivobooks feel like a stopgap. Asus probably had leftover Snapdragon X inventory and decided to refresh the S14 and S16 lineups with OLED screens and slight design tweaks. If you’re a student or office worker who values a beautiful display, all-day battery life (in theory), and doesn’t mind being stuck with 16 GB of RAM, one of these could be a solid buy – especially at the right price.
But if you need more memory, or you want the latest Snapdragon X2 performance, you’re better off looking at the newer Zenbook A14 or waiting for the Ryzen AI 400 versions of the Vivobook S16 announced back in January.
We’ve reached out to Asus for pricing and availability details, and we’ll update this article as soon as we hear back. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on the official product pages linked above, or check the Amazon listing for the Zenbook A14 if you want a Snapdragon-powered Asus laptop right now.
What do you think – is 16 GB of soldered RAM a dealbreaker for you in 2026? Let us know in the comments.
