Another year, another refresh of the highly popular Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 lineup.
We’ve reviewed all G14 variations available over the years, so we understand how things have evolved and changed over generations. For 2026, Asus are steering the series away from its legacy approach, which means they plan on offering both AMD and Intel variants, paired with Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs and updated OLED displays. In the past, they only offered AMD + Nvidia hardware on this 14-inch chassis, but not anymore.
It makes sense, though, given how Gorgon Point Ryzen AI 400 series, the AMD mobile platform for this year, is a minimal Strix Point refresh, while Panther Lake, Intel’s offer for the year, is a more notable update over its Arrow Lake H predecessor (expect +5-10% single core, +10-20% multi core performance gains). But there are still a handful of differences between the two series that will most likely anger fans in the AMD camp.
That’s mostly because the AMD variant (Zephyrus G14 GA403) this year is designed as a lower-tier, more-affordable option that can be specced up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 processor, 32 GB of LPDDR5x-7500 memory, and an RTX 5060 90W TGP. So, only a mid-range AMD processor, no Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, and no higher-tier GPU option.
The Intel variant (Zephyrus G14 GU405), on the other hand, is mostly going to be offered in higher-specced variants, with up to a Core Ultra 9 processor, 64 GB of LPDDR5x-8553 memory, and an RTX 5080 130W TGP (20W higher than on the previous G14).
That’s a weird decision, given how the 2025 G14 pairs top AMD Strix Point hardware with up to an RTX 5080. Capping the 2026 model at a Ryzen 9 AI 465 and a 5060 doesn’t make much sense to me, as conscious buyers that would need high-performance in this format could probably get a better deal on discounted 2025 models with potentially faster specs. At least I hope this variant targets the value niche, but achieving a low price is going to be tough considering the chassis, engineering and display offered here, which are not cheap.
On the Intel side, well, that’s going to offer a potentially better CPU paired with those higher-tier GPUs running at quite high power settings, considering the size and format of this chassis. We’ll have to see exactly how much faster Panther Lake hardware is going to perform in actual loads compared to a Strix Point Ryzen AI 9 implementation, though. I’m also curious about the thermal impact of running the GPU at higher power – I’d expect that implies an updated thermal module as well.
Here’s a specs sheet of the 2026 and 2025 G14 generations, and we’re still filling up the blanks as we get access to more details on the 2026 iterations.
2026 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GU405/GA403 vs. 2025 G14 GA403
| 2026 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GU405A – official page | 2026 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403G – official page | 2025 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403 – official page | |
| Display | 14 inch, 16:10, non-touch, glossy, OLED, Nebula 2.8K 120Hz 0.2ms VRR, 500-nits SDR, 700-nits sustained HDR, 1000-nits peak 100% DCI-P3 |
14 inch, 16:10, non-touch, glossy, OLED, Nebula 2.8K 120Hz 0.2ms VRR, 400-nits SDR, 500-nits peak, 100% DCI-P3 |
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| Processor | Intel Panther Lake, Core Ultra 9 386H, 16C/16T |
AMD Gorgon Point Zen5, Ryzen AI 9 465, 10C/20T |
AMD Strix Point Zen5, Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 12C/24T, up to 5.1 GHz |
| Video | Arc + up to Nvidia RTX 5080 (up to 130W) with MUX, Advanced Optimus, and GSync |
Radeon 890M + up to Nvidia RTX 5060 (up to 90W) with MUX, Advanced Optimus, and GSync |
Radeon 890M + up to Nvidia RTX 5080 (up to 110W) with MUX, Advanced Optimus, and GSync |
| Memory | up to 64 GB LPDDR5x-8533 (onboard) | up to 32 GB LPDDR5x-7500 (onboard) | up to 64 GB LPDDR5x-8000 (onboard) |
| Storage | 1x PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280 slot | 1x PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280 slot | |
| Connectivity | WiFi 7 2×2 with Bluetooth 5.4 (Intel) | WiFi 7 2×2 with Bluetooth 5.4 (Mediatek) | WiFi 7 2×2 with Bluetooth 5.4 (Mediatek) |
| Ports | left: DC-in, HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x USB-C TB5, 1x USB-A 3.2, audio jack right: 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-C gen2 with data&DP, microSD UHS-II card reader |
left: DC-in, HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x USB-C 4.0, 1x USB-A 3.2, audio jack right: 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-C gen2 with data&DP, microSD UHS-II card reader |
left: DC-in, HDMI 2.1 FRL, 1x USB-C 4.0, 1x USB-A 3.2, audio jack right: 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-C gen2 with data&DP, microSD UHS-II card reader |
| Battery | 73 Wh, up to 250 W power adapter, USB-C charging up to 100W | 73 Wh, up to 200 W power adapter, USB-C charging up to 100W | 73 Wh, up to 200 W power adapter, USB-C charging up to 100W |
| Size | 311 mm or 12.26” (w) x 220 mm or 8.66″ (d) 15.9 – 16.3 mm or .63” – 0.64″ (h) – 5060/5070 chassis 15.9 – 18.3 mm or .63” – 0.72″ (h) – 5070Ti/5080 chassis |
311 mm or 12.26” (w) x 220 mm or 8.66″ (d) x 15.9 – 16.3 mm or .63” – 0.64″ (h) | 311 mm or 12.26” (w) x 220 mm or 8.66″ (d) x 15.9 – 18.3 mm or .63” – 0.72″ (h) |
| Weight | 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) – 5060/5070 chassis 1.57 kg (3.52 lbs) – 5070Ti/5080 chassis + .75 kg (1.65 lbs) charger and cables |
from 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) + .57 kg (1.25 lbs) charger and cables | from 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) + .57 kg (1.25 lbs) charger and cables |
| Extras | clamshell format with 130-degree hinges, updated Slah Lightbar on the lid, updated glossy OLED non-touch display, single-zone RGB keyboard with large glass touchpad, 1.7 mm travel, FHD webcam with IR, no fingerprint sensor, 6x speakers, dual or triple-fan cooling with rear heatsinks and liquid metal compound, available in gray and silver/white |
clamshell format with 130-degree hinges, glossy OLED non-touch display, single-zone RGB keyboard with large glass touchpad, FHD webcam with IR, no fingerprint sensor, 6x speakers, dual-fan cooling with rear heatsinks and liquid metal compound, available in silver or gray variants |
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Specs aside, as far as I can tell at this point, the GA403 2026 and GA405 2026 are more or less the same chassis, but with a more advanced cooling module on the higher-tier configurations of the GU405 and a thicker back panel. The AMD variant is thinner as a result, and slightly lighter weight as well, as the top Intel model gets closer to 1.6 kilos in the upper-level variants. So just to be clear, there are two variants of the Intel model, one that’s a little thicker and heavier for the 5070Ti/5080 configurations, and another that’s slimmer and lighter for the 5060/5070 configurations, while the AMD model is only available on the slimmer chassis. The differences are within mms and tens of grams, so hardly even noticeable unless having the two side by side.
Otherwise, the two offer the same all-metal premium build, excellent inputs, good IO, punchy audio with 6x speakers, and the same OLED display, updated for the 2026 generation. Asus offer the same two color variants as in the past on both lineups, and I generally preffer the darker variant, it just looks more professional to me and blends in nicer the lightbar on the lid.
BTW, here are some images of the 2026 early units that I got to handle for a little while.
And a few more studio photos of the 2025 Zephyrus that we tested last year, which is the same chassis.
There are, however, a few tweaks offered by the 2026 models over the 2025 generation:
- an updated OLED panel, with 1000-nits peak brightness, 700-800 nits sustained HDR brightness, and 500-nits SDR. It’s still 3K 120Hz;
- an updated Slash Lighting bar on the lid, with 35 light zones and updated functionality (vs. 5 zones on the 2025 variant) – just to be clear, they’re implementing the same design and number of LEDs, they just allow more granular control over each LED in part, while the 2025 models only allowed to control them in 5 groups of 7 LEDs each; I still wish they would have just gotten rid of this gimmick entirely and have a clean metal lid instead;
- an updated hinge mechanism with adjustable torque throughout the opening motion – should make it easier to lift up the screen, considering the design lacks an actual notch on the front lip.
The new OLED improves usability in brighter environments, negating one of the major downsides of past OLED implementations. Hopefully, there are no downsides to it, such as flickering or burning. The other aspects are minor updates.
I also wanted to touch on the thermal modules on the 2026 and 2026 G14 modules. Here’s an image of the two (credit).
These two are mostly identical, except for the fact that they are mirrored between generations: the CPU and GPU were swapped around for some reason. However, Asus mentioned a redesigned bottom panel for the new G14 GU405, which supposedly improves airflow underneath the chassis. You’ll still want to lift this off the desk for demanding chores, though. I still wonder how they were able to improve the TGP so much if they haven’t updated the cooling in any significant way, though.
Now, I look forward to testing both of these and seeing where Asus position them price-wise. I expect the Intel variant to cost a pretty penny at well over 3K USD/EUR, especially with all tech being more expensive in 2026 due to the RAM/SSD situation, while the AMD model should offer better value, hopefully around 1800-2000 USD/EUR or even lower.
Stay tuned for our detailed reviews later in the year, and in the meantime, let me know what your thoughts are on these 2024 Zepyrus G14 refreshes down below in the comments section.
