Lenovo Legion 7i vs. ASUS Zephyrus G16

Best Premium 16” Gaming Laptop?

Both the ASUS Zephyrus G16 and Lenovo Legion 7i are premium, thinner 16-inch gaming laptops available at comparable prices. This review compares the two to determine which is the better choice for gamers.

Both laptops are available in light and dark finishes. I have the Eclipse Gray version of the Zephyrus G16 and the Glacier White version of the Legion 7i. They both present a clean aesthetic, with the Zephyrus featuring ASUS’s new customizable slash lighting on the lid. The build quality is excellent, as both are made entirely of aluminum, exhibiting only minor flex in their keyboards and lids under pressure.

Opening the Legion is slightly easier, thanks to its design that allows it to open further than the Zephyrus. While the Zephyrus is more compact, the Legion remains relatively portable compared to other 16-inch gaming laptops. The notable difference lies in weight; the Legion is 26% heavier without the charger and 36% heavier with it. The Legion’s charger is larger but more powerful, whereas the Zephyrus holds the title of the lightest 16-inch gaming laptop we’ve tested, surpassing even Razer’s smaller Blade 14.

Specifications

Both laptops come equipped with NVIDIA RTX 4070 graphics, 32 GB of RAM, and 16-inch displays. However, the Zephyrus opts for an OLED screen and a less powerful yet more efficient Intel processor. Keyboard lighting options differ, with the Legion offering per-key customization compared to the Zephyrus’s single-zone RGB.

Keyboards and Touchpads

The Zephyrus features slightly more key travel at 1.7 mm compared to the Legion’s 1.5 mm, making it feel more comfortable for typing. The Legion has rounded keycaps and larger arrow keys, along with a numpad, which the Zephyrus lacks, favoring front-facing speakers instead. Both laptops have excellent touchpads, with the Zephyrus’s being larger and quieter.

Ports and Connectivity

In terms of ports, the Zephyrus has an advantage. Both laptops include an HDMI 2.1 output and power input, but the Legion’s ports are arranged in a way that keeps bulkier cables out of the way. On the left side, they both feature a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, a 3.5 mm audio combo jack, and a USB 3.2 Type-A port. However, the Zephyrus’s USB port is the faster Gen 2.

Battery and Performance

Battery performance shows a significant difference, with the Legion lasting only 2 hours and 40 minutes of web browsing at 50% brightness, while the G16 lasts around six hours. This discrepancy is partly due to the Legion drawing 15 to 25 watts more power during gaming and idle tests. However, the Legion allows for easier battery replacement compared to the G16’s glued-in battery.

Cooling and Thermal Performance

During stress tests, both laptops managed to stay comfortable, with the Legion remaining cooler at maximum fan speed, though louder. The Zephyrus’s fans produce a high-pitched sound when maxed out, which can be more annoying than the Legion’s noise. Both laptops keep the WASD keys cool, as air is drawn through the keyboard.

Display Quality

The Legion offers two display options, including a brighter 2560×1600 240Hz screen, while the Zephyrus features a single 2560×1600 240Hz OLED panel. Although both screens perform excellently, the Zephyrus has a slight edge in color gamut and response time due to the nature of OLED technology.

Camera and Software

The Zephyrus includes an IR camera for Windows Hello face unlock, while the Legion has a physical camera disconnect switch for privacy. Both laptops come with 1080p cameras, with varying sound quality.

Gaming Performance

In gaming tests, the Legion outperformed the Zephyrus in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, achieving significantly higher frame rates at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. While the G16 can handle casual gaming well, the Legion is the better choice for high-performance gaming.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between the Legion 7i and Zephyrus G16 depends on your priorities. If you seek higher gaming performance, opt for the Legion. However, if weight and portability are more important, the G16 is an excellent choice as the thinnest and lightest 16-inch gaming laptop.