UK pricing for Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 climbs, gamers unimpressed
April 2, 2026
Asus has rolled out new pricing for the ROG Zephyrus G16 in the United Kingdom, with the numbers signaling a steep uplift over the previous generation. The figures emerged on the Asus UK store ahead of the laptops’ formal availability, courtesy of Notebookcheck.net via VideoCardz, and gamers are far from thrilled about the jump.
Pricing snapshot
- Entry-level model (RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel Core Ultra 9 386H): £3,199 in the UK. This is roughly a 17% uptick versus the equivalent last-gen G16, though it’s also more powerful with the 5070 GPU.
- No RTX 5060 option this time around. The new base is 28% pricier than the 2025 baseline despite the upgrade in GPU.
- RTX 5080 upgrade: £4,099.
- Flagship RTX 5090: £4,899 (64GB RAM and 2TB storage included, same CPU).
Context and reactions
- Notebookcheck.net notes that the current last-gen entry-level G16 is already discounted by about £400 in the UK, making the new base model over 50% more expensive than its predecessor when you compare like-for-like value, even though the new one brings a stronger GPU.
- Reddit reactions captured the shock: “3 bags for a 5070. That’s insane.”
Global pricing context
- UK pricing is a rough guide to region-specific costs, but direct currency conversions don’t capture the full picture. When you translate £3,199 to dollars, it’s around $4,200, but US pricing isn’t simply a currency swap — taxes, import economics, and regional strategies shift the actual value.
- The broader landscape shows that component costs are up across RAM, storage, GPUs, and CPUs, which reinforces why notebooks are trending higher everywhere.
Regional comparison notes
- Canada also hints at higher pricing for Asus models, with the Zephyrus Duo listed at $5,499 CAD, and a UK price label around £3,999 for similar configurations.
Takeaway for buyers
- For those who want the latest Zephyrus G16, be prepared for a substantial price premium over last year’s model, even after factoring in hardware improvements.
- If you’re price-conscious, consider looking at last year’s G16 models on discount, or waiting for US pricing announcements to see how the gap evolves.
Follow-up and context
- As always, US pricing announcements could shift the conversation, but early indications suggest acceptance of regional pricing variability may be necessary for current-gen Asus laptops.