Lenovo’s Yoga 9i (2025) exemplifies the aggressive evolution of premium Windows ultrabooks, setting a remarkably high bar for versatility, design, and raw performance. Launched as an update to Lenovo’s longstanding Yoga convertible series, the latest 9i leverages Intel’s new Lunar Lake architecture—a move that not only refines its already successful formula but also helps secure its position among the most competitive laptops in its class. With a sleek aluminum chassis, an impressive OLED display, and AI-enhanced internals, the 2025 Yoga 9i positions itself as both a creative dynamo and an executive’s daily driver, while revealing a few growing pains that accompany its cutting-edge ambitions.
Classic Design, Modern Substance
Lenovo wisely resists change for change’s sake. The 2025 Yoga 9i’s external design remains nearly identical to its 2024 predecessor, which itself was acclaimed for combining sophisticated aesthetics with everyday practicality. The most notable visual flourish is its “Cosmic Blue” shell—an almost-black metallic finish that transforms under light to reveal a deep, lustrous blue, reminiscent of Apple’s “Midnight” MacBook Air colorway. While visually captivating, the glossy finish is nothing short of a fingerprint magnet, a familiar annoyance for anyone who has used similar hues on rival premium laptops. Lenovo’s “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach ensures the Yoga 9i’s curves and robust aluminum build continue to exude confidence and practicality.The Yoga 9i’s flexible 360-degree hinge remains unchanged, enabling laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. This core design remains one of the strongest value propositions of the Yoga category. At just 1.32 kg (2.91 lbs) and 15.9 mm at its thickest point, the device is strikingly portable, fitting comfortably into any hybrid work routine—whether you’re shifting from desk, to sofa, to coffee shop.
Display: OLED Excellence with Adaptive Smoothness
A centerpiece of the Yoga 9i experience is its 14-inch OLED touchscreen, running at a crisp 2.8K (2880x1800) resolution and supporting a variable refresh rate from 30Hz to 120Hz. Adaptive sync ensures that scrolling and animations feel ultra-smooth, while the self-emissive nature of OLED technology guarantees true blacks, sparkling highlights, and rich, faithful color reproduction. For business presentations, creative visuals, or late-night streaming, few displays on the market can match the Yoga 9i’s vividness. It ranks among the best in its class for anyone with an eye for visual detail—photos, videos, and UI elements simply pop in a way that makes standard LCDs look drab by comparison.OLED’s minor Achilles heel, however, remains: like all such panels, it can be susceptible to burn-in if left displaying static content for prolonged periods. For most typical workflows, this is a vanishingly small risk—but users who routinely leave the same window or toolbar open for hours should apply the included screensaver tools or reduce persistent UI elements.
Input: A Familiar, Almost Flawless Typing and Trackpad Experience
The Yoga 9i’s keyboard continues to receive high marks for its satisfying travel distance and responsive tactile feedback, making long sessions of report writing or email triage a pleasure. Unlike many slim competitors, there’s no “mushy bottom-out” or excess flex thanks to the sturdy chassis.The generously sized trackpad, however, stands out as a rare letdown. Although its smooth surface and responsiveness are beyond reproach, Lenovo’s decision to stick with a physical mechanical click—rather than adopting a modern haptic touchpad—makes the input experience feel less refined, especially at this price point. Apple’s Force Touch, as well as haptic implementations from Dell and HP, have set a new standard. For users who prefer silent, even click feedback (or creative professionals seeking precision gestures), this is a missed opportunity.
Connectivity and Ports: Minimalism with Practicality
Staying true to the minimalist trend, the Yoga 9i provides three USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-A (10Gbps), and a combination 3.5mm audio jack. This sparse yet versatile array means you’re largely free of dongles, but can easily connect legacy USB-A devices in a pinch. HDMI and SD card readers are both absent, which is the new norm for thin flagships but may disappoint users coming from heavier, more port-rich machines.Wi-Fi 7 (802.11BE) and Bluetooth 5.4 round out the wireless stack, ensuring the Yoga 9i is future-proofed for the fastest possible local networking and accessory pairing.
Performance: A Lunar Lake Leap
Spec Sheet at a Glance
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (Lunar Lake)
- Graphics: Integrated Intel Arc 140V
- RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD
- Battery: 75Wh
- Webcam: 5MP + IR camera with privacy shutter
- Audio: 4 total speakers (2 woofers, 2 tweeters)
- OS: Windows 11 Home or Pro
Benchmarks That Matter
Across a broad suite of tests—Geekbench 6 (single/multi-core: 2,701/10,739), Cinebench 2024 (117/490), and 3DMark Time Spy (4,551)—the Yoga 9i (258V) positions itself near the top of the ultrabook class. Most workflow tasks—Office apps, Chrome, Zoom, Photoshop, Lightroom, and even light Premiere Pro work—pose no challenge, and the integrated Arc 140V GPU delivers more than enough horsepower for light gaming and creative acceleration. In actual gameplay, titles like Rocket League can easily sustain 120+ FPS at high settings, a mark that bests last-generation integrated solutions and puts it just behind Apple Silicon’s graphical prowess in synthetic testing.In comparison to its contemporary peers—HP’s EliteBook Ultra or the XPS 13 with Snapdragon X—the Yoga 9i’s real-world responsiveness and application fluidity are among the best in class. The presence of a full 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of snappy PCIe 4 storage further eliminate potential bottlenecks, ensuring smooth multitasking.
Power Management: Lenovo Vantage vs. Windows
Lenovo continues to push device management through its own “Vantage” software, relocating core power/performance toggles from standard Windows 11 menus to its proprietary app. While Lenovo’s three-mode performance system offers flexibility, the lack of clear documentation and the removal of the native "High Performance" power plan from Windows can be jarring. For power users, this software lock-in might frustrate; mainstream consumers may never notice. Still, this shift deserves scrutiny and raises some questions about user autonomy and the long-term viability of third-party system-level utilities.Battery Life: Exceeding Expectations, but Not Unrivaled
Despite its high-refresh OLED display, the Yoga 9i posts surprisingly strong battery endurance figures. Even with the screen at full brightness and a balanced performance profile, users can expect over a full workday of use—often stretching into late evening with mixed productivity and media tasks. The 75Wh battery makes this possible and distinguishes the 9i from competitors with much smaller packs. That said, Apple’s MacBook Air M2/M3 still decisively holds the battery longevity crown, particularly for low-load scenarios. A power user who needs two days of mobility will find the Yoga 9i “good enough” but not transformative.Sound: Strong for a Convertible, but Still a Laptop
Audio quality is a traditional Yoga strong point, and the 9i continues this reputation. The signature “soundbar hinge” design ensures that the speakers always fire toward the user in any mode. The four-speaker array delivers excellent treble clarity and impressive volume for a convertible. Only the bass range—by physics, a perennial laptop weakness—leaves some room for improvement. The audio system handily bests many competitors in the category, and while still behind a few thicker clamshells, it is a win for frequent videoconferencers and media bingers alike.Security & Camera: Improving, but Still Unremarkable
The Yoga 9i’s 5MP IR+RGB webcam is a step up from basic 720p offerings, providing sharp, well-lit video feeds even in challenging conditions. An integrated privacy shutter is always appreciated. Yet, despite the technical upgrade, the camera is still not quite “great”—image processing can be a bit soft, and performance in high-contrast lighting lags behind dedicated, external webcams or Apple’s increasingly excellent laptop cameras. Biometric security (facial recognition via Windows Hello) is fast and reliable.Pen Support & Accessories: Inclusive and Capable
Pen compatibility remains a differentiator for Yoga. The included Yoga Pen offers pressure sensitivity, tilt, and a responsive feel that works well for note-taking, annotations, or casual sketching. While it falls short of the latency and nuance offered by Wacom-powered tablets or Apple Pencil, the stylus is vastly superior to the bundled options with most competitors. For college students, digital artists, or professionals who regularly mark up documents, this is a strong value add.Software and Experience: The Bloatware Dilemma
The Yoga 9i (2025) ships with Windows 11 Home or Pro, depending on configuration, with the addition of pre-installed Lenovo applications. Unfortunately, like many OEMs, Lenovo includes a host of trialware and utilities—ranging from its Subscription Marketplace to Vantage, McAfee, and others. While these apps are easily uninstalled, their presence mars the otherwise premium first-boot experience. In a market where consumers expect near-bloat-free setups (as championed by Microsoft’s Surface line and Apple’s macOS), this remains an area ripe for improvement.Cooling, Thermals, and Noise Management
An efficient thermal system is crucial for any high-performance slim laptop. The 9i’s bottom ventilation and fan tuning succeed in keeping the device cool even under stress. During video exports, gaming, or benchmark runs, the CPU rarely exceeds 85°C, and fan noise never rises above a low, consistent hum. This is particularly impressive considering the compact chassis and the performance on tap. The cooling solution is, simply put, among the best in its class, squaring up well against the latest XPS 13 or HP Spectre.Pricing and Value: Premium, Yet Not Outrageous
At $1,440 (base) and $1,680 (for the loaded 32GB/1TB OLED model), the Yoga 9i sits in the upper tier of consumer laptops. It’s decidedly premium but not entirely out of reach, especially given the hardware and display excellence provided. Upgrades to a 4K display and higher storage are available for those willing to spend more. While there are more affordable ultrabooks, few offer the combination of design, screen quality, and all-around capability found here.Strengths: Why the Yoga 9i (2025) Demands Attention
- Stunning OLED Display: Unmatched sharpness, contrast, and vibrancy, perfect for both productivity and entertainment.
- Superb Build & Design: Premium aluminum build, striking “Cosmic Blue” color, and excellent portability.
- Strong Performance: Lunar Lake’s improved efficiency and integrated Arc graphics make it a class leader for most tasks.
- Enhanced Audio & Thermal Design: Category-leading speaker system and excellent cooling for a convertible format.
- Pen and Touch: Inclusive stylus support is well-executed and versatile.
- Future-Proof Wireless: Wi-Fi 7 and BT 5.4 keep it ready for high-speed, stable connectivity going into 2026.
Weaknesses & Risks: What Could Hold It Back
- Underwhelming Webcam: Better than many, but lags behind Apple’s MacBook and premium HP models.
- Physical Trackpad: Absence of haptic feedback is a missed opportunity at this price point.
- Bloatware: Pre-installed software is unwelcome in a flagship product.
- Limited Ports: Lack of HDMI and SD card reader may frustrate power users who need legacy connectivity.
- Fingerprint Magnet: The beautiful finish is marred by its ability to retain smudges, requiring frequent cleaning.
- Opaque Power Management: Power plan obscurity due to third-party software could confuse experienced users.
- Price: Not prohibitive, but value-conscious shoppers might balk at paying extra for features they won’t use.
Comparing the Competition
The Yoga 9i’s closest rivals include Apple’s MacBook Air M2/M3, Dell’s XPS 13 Plus, HP’s Spectre x360, and recent debuts like the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED. Each of these offers variants with high-resolution OLED displays, strong battery life, and lightweight designs. The Yoga 9i stands out for its convertible flexibility, better speakers, and more inclusive pen support. However, Apple remains king of battery longevity, Dell sets the bar for touchpad innovation, and HP pushes webcam quality.The AI Edge: Intel AI Boost in Daily Life
With Lunar Lake, Intel’s AI Boost NPU promises tangible improvements in creative workflows, voice processing, and power efficiency (as Windows and application support mature). While AI acceleration is now a checkbox on nearly all new chipsets, few applications fully exploit its capabilities. Early adopters may see incremental gains in select photo/video tools or tasks like background blurring, noise suppression, and real-time machine learning workloads, but AI is still more about “future customer value” than a necessity for most buyers in 2025. Watch this space for rapid evolution, though, as Microsoft, Adobe, and third-party developers continue AI integration.Final Verdict: A New Bar for Premium Convertibles
Lenovo’s Yoga 9i (2025) is a textbook example of how conservative design, when paired with breakthrough internals, can result in a spectacularly well-rounded device. The formula is not radically new—the same chassis, premium display, and convertible form as last year—but the arrival of Lunar Lake gives it the breath of fresh air it needed. For users seeking the best screen, crisp audio, ample performance, and versatile input in a single package, the Yoga 9i is easy to recommend. Its quirks—bloatware, a physical touchpad, fingerprints—are easily forgivable in light of its overall strengths.For those who passed on last year’s model hoping for something truly next-generation, their patience has paid off. The Yoga 9i (2025) solidifies Lenovo’s leadership in the Windows ultrabook space, balancing creativity, productivity, and style with aplomb. It’s not a budget buy, nor is it meant to be. But for discerning users who demand the best Windows has to offer in a go-anywhere, do-anything laptop, this Yoga bows to no one.
Source: XDA Lenovo's Yoga 9i (2025) is a perfect example of impressive power in a sleek package
