Predator Helios Neo 16S: New Versions and Features

In recent months, the Predator Helios Neo 16S laptop series has undergone significant changes. At CES 2026 in January, Acer introduced models powered by Intel Panther Lake processors. Later, in March, alternative versions featuring Intel Arrow Lake-HX Plus processors were announced.

Testing and New Configurations

During testing, the Helios Neo 16S configuration used included a Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, with a price of $1,929 on Amazon. Currently, Acer has started selling Panther Lake-based models equipped with the Core Ultra 9 386H processor. At this time, these laptops are only available on Acer’s French website and are not yet for sale in the UK. It is expected that Panther Lake versions will become available in other countries as well.

Pricing and Configurations

According to Acer France, Panther Lake-based laptops will be noticeably more expensive than comparable Arrow Lake HX models. For example, the Predator Helios Neo 16S with a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 32 GB of RAM, a 2 TB SSD, and a 240 Hz IPS display is priced at €2,799. For the same amount, there is also a Panther Lake version with a less powerful GeForce RTX 5060, half the storage, and a 165 Hz OLED display. Another available configuration, priced at €2,899, features a Core Ultra 9 386H, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB storage, a 165 Hz OLED display, and a GeForce RTX 5070 with 8 GB of video memory and up to 115 W power consumption.

Performance and Battery Life

According to conducted tests, the Panther Lake versions lag behind their Arrow Lake HX counterparts in processor performance. However, the new models are expected to be significantly more energy efficient. Official Acer estimates indicate that battery life with a 76 Wh battery will more than double. It remains to be seen whether the PHN16S-I51 version can achieve the claimed 15 hours of battery life under light usage.