Acer launches new 16-inch gaming laptops with upgraded Intel Arrow Lake-HX processors
Earlier today, Intel presented a series of Plus-branded Arrow Lake processors. In response, Acer has refreshed its Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptops. Incidentally, the same is the case for the larger Predator Helios Neo 18 AI, details of which we have covered separately.
For context, the Helios Neo 16S AI arrived at CES 2026 in January with up to a Core Ultra 9 386H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU. Replacing Arrow Lake HX-backed predecessors (curr. $1,459 on Amazon), the Helios Neo 16S AI was slated to be available sometime between April and June 2026. In the meantime, Acer has added Arrow Lake-HX Plus options for both the Helio Neo 16S AI and the bulkier Helio Neo 16 AI.
Specifically, Acer has upgraded the pair to the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. Both laptops will be configurable with up to the GeForce RTX 5080 too, unlike the Panther Lake-based Helio Neo 16S AI. Moreover, Acer equips its new 16-inch gaming laptops with 92 Wh batteries and up to 64 GB of DDR5-6400 RAM.
However, the Helio Neo 16 AI features a 165 Hz display to the 240 Hz equivalent inside the Helios Neo 16S AI. Both OLED panels deliver 2,560 x 1,600-pixel resolutions with 100% DCI-P3 colour space coverage, Nvidia Advanced Optimus and Nvidia G-Sync, though. Acer states that the Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-I71) and Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-I71) will reach Africa, Europe and the Middle East in June. While Australia will receive the former that month too, the latter will land in July. Neither laptop will reach North America until July.
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