Notebookcheck reports that Asus has released Vivobook S14 and S16 configurations with Intel Core 7 350 processors in multiple markets. This is a new set of configurations, not a new product family. The wider Vivobook S14/S16 range was announced by Asus on January 7, 2026. That announcement covered Core Ultra Series 3 models with OLED panels and 70Wh batteries, which is a noticeably higher tier than these.
What the two models share
Both use the Core 7 350, which has six cores and boosts up to 4.8GHz. Both have integrated Intel graphics and an NPU rated at up to 17 TOPS. Memory is 16GB of soldered LPDDR5X, with a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The RAM can't be upgraded, but the spec lists an M.2 2280 slot for storage.
Soldered RAM matters here. Whatever 16GB you buy is the 16GB you keep for the laptop's whole life. That is fine for office work and browsing. It is less comfortable if you expect heavy multitasking or local AI workloads to grow over the years.
The NPU figure is also worth keeping in perspective. Asus's January press release for the Core Ultra models cited NPUs of up to 50 TOPS. The 17 TOPS figure here is well below that. The sources only establish the NPU rating. They don't say these machines qualify as Copilot+ PCs, so don't assume they do.
Ports are two USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, two USB-A, HDMI 2.1 TMDS and a 3.5mm jack. Wireless is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, and there is a 1080p webcam. Wi-Fi 6 rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a typical cost-cutting choice at this price.
S14 versus S16
| Vivobook S14 (S5452MA) | Vivobook S16 (S5652MA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14-inch IPS, 1920x1200, 16:10, 60Hz | 16-inch IPS, 1920x1200, 144Hz |
| Weight | about 1.2 kg (2.65 lb) | about 1.5 kg (3.31 lb) |
| Battery | 52.5Wh | 52.5Wh |
| Asus video-playback claim | more than 20 hours | over 15 hours |
The S14's panel is rated up to 300 nits with 100% sRGB coverage. The S16's 144Hz refresh rate should make scrolling and motion smoother. It does not add resolution, because both panels are the same 1920x1200. Notebookcheck notes that the Snapdragon S16 it reviewed last year had a higher-resolution 2560x1600 screen. That is a different machine from this one.
The trade-off is simple. The S14 is lighter and has the longer battery claim. The S16 gives you a larger, smoother screen but weighs 0.3 kg more and has a shorter claimed runtime, despite the same battery capacity.
Reading the 20-hour claim
Treat the headline figure as a best case. Asus's S14 product page backs the "20+ hours" claim, and the test conditions behind it are narrow. Per the research notes on that page, the test was a June 2026 1080p video-playback run. It used Windows Balanced power mode, 150 nits of brightness, Wi-Fi off and keyboard backlight off. Asus also lists 14+ hours for web browsing with Wi-Fi on, and it warns that real-world results vary and fall as the battery ages.
I found no equivalent test conditions for the S16's "over 15 hours" figure. Consider it Asus's claim, relayed by Notebookcheck, until independent reviews appear. A 52.5Wh battery is modest for a 16-inch panel running at 144Hz, so I'd expect the S16 to land well below its claim in everyday mixed use. That expectation is my own reasoning, not a measurement.
Pricing and availability
Prices differ by country and SKU, and none of these figures is a global MSRP. Notebookcheck reports the following:
- India: The S14 (S5452MA-TM198WS) is ₹110,990, about $1,147. The S16 (S5652MA-TK191WS) is ₹113,990, about $1,178.
- Singapore: The S14 (S5452MA-TM224W) is S$1,749, about $1,367, reduced from S$2,099. Asus's Singapore page shows the S14 at the original higher price, so the discount may be a retailer or promotional listing.
- Italy: The S16 (S5652MA-TK186W) is €999, about $1,119.
- Poland: The S16 (S5652MA-TK107W) is PLN 4,999, about $1,276, but the listing is marked sold out.
- Serbia: The S16 (S5652MA-TK122) is RSD 109,999, about $1,051.
A separate report from Selular.ID says the S14 was introduced in Indonesia on September 28, 2026, at a recommended price of Rp19,299,000.
The prices are high for a Core 7 laptop with 16GB of RAM and a 1920x1200 IPS screen. The Italian S16 at €999 looks like the most competitive listing among those reported. These are my own observations from the listed figures, not a formal price comparison.
Software varies by market
The Indian configurations ship with Windows 11 Home, but the OS and bundled software can differ by market. Asus's Singapore listing, for example, shows Windows 11 Home plus preinstalled McAfee antivirus and a backpack. If you plan to deploy these laptops in a business, check the exact SKU for the Windows edition. Home lacks features like domain join and some management options that Pro provides, so confirm the edition before ordering.
Before you buy
- Match the full model number (for example S5452MA-TM198WS) to your local Asus listing. Specs and software are not identical everywhere.
- Decide whether soldered 16GB is enough for the machine's lifetime.
- Treat the battery figures as best-case video playback, and wait for independent S16 testing.
- Choose the S14 for portability and runtime. Choose the S16 only if you value the bigger 144Hz screen.
Bottom line
These are competent, mainstream Windows 11 ultraportables. Their strengths are a light all-metal chassis, a sensible port selection and a long battery claim on the S14. Their weaknesses are soldered RAM, a modest NPU and a 1920x1200 panel. Prices and stock vary widely by region, so check your local listing before buying.