New laptops will bring the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors paired with budget and mid-range RTX 50 series GPUs.
Acer Showcases Predator Helios Neo 16S AI, Featuring Up To Core Ultra 9 386H & OLED Display, While the Nitro V 16/16S AI Brings Core Ultra 7 355 Chip & IPS Screen
Hardware maker Acer has unveiled its new laptop lineup, bringing newer models into the enthusiast-tier Predator series as well as the budget Nitro series. With the release of Intel's Panther Lake series aka Core Ultra Series 3 processors, many laptop makers have now started integrating the new chips into their newer laptop models for improved productivity/gaming, and AI performance.
The new Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-I51) is going to utilize the powerful 16-core Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, which brings up to 50 TOPS of AI performance using the latest NPU5. The CPU boasts integrated graphics with 4 GPU cores based on the Xe3 architecture, but the laptop will be equipped with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU to ensure smoother gaming performance, leveraging the power of the latest DLSS 4.5.
By deploying the state-of-the-art cooling solution, comprising the 5th-gen AeroBlade 3D fan and liquid metal thermal grease, the laptop ensures the components can operate cooler under load. All this happens inside a small 18.9 mm thick chassis, which feels light and is also easily portable. The laptop features a 16-inch OLED display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution and a refresh rate of 165 Hz for vivid image quality and fluid gameplay.
For the budget and mid-range segment, the Acer Nitro V 16 AI and 16S AI are two new models that bring almost identical specifications, but the latter is designed with an even thinner body. Measuring just 17.9 mm in thickness, it's 2mm thinner than the Nitro V 16 AI, but carries the same octa-core Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor paired with up to NVIDIA RTX 5070 laptop GPU. The 16-inch screen size boasts a 1920 x 1200 resolution and a high 180 Hz refresh rate for competitive gamers. Unlike the Predator model, these models can only have up to 32 GB DDR5 memory vs 64 GB, but can allow up to 2 TB NVMe SSD similar to the Predator laptop.
Availability
- Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Q3 2026 in NA, Q2 2026 in EMEA, Q1 2026 in Australia
- Acer Nitro V 16 AI: Q2 2026 in NA, EMEA, and Australia
- Acer Nitro V 16S AI: Q3 2026 in NA, Q2 2026 in EMEA
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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