How to open Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) – disassembly and upgrade options

Power off the laptop and place it on a stable surface.
Undo the ten Torx-T6 screws securing the bottom panel.
Use a thin plastic tool to pry around the perimeter until all clips release, then lift the panel away.

Battery Removal

The 76Wh four-cell Li-Ion battery is held in place only by friction and its connector cable—no screws.
Disconnect the plug from the motherboard and lift the unit out to remove it.

Memory Upgrade

The device has two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 64GB of RAM at speeds up to 6400 MT/s.
One slot is free in the default configuration, allowing easy dual-channel upgrades.
The second slot is located beneath the heat pipes but has enough clearance to install modules without removing shrouds.

You can buy DDR5 RAM modules here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Storage Upgrade

The laptop has two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs.
The left slot is under a large black EMI cover next to the Intel Killer AX1675i Wi-Fi 6E card. Swapping drives requires undoing just one screw.
The second slot sits on the opposite side of the board, easily accessible once the panel is off.

Hint: Consider reviewing our Top M.2 SSDs Performance Rankings to select the best storage solution for your needs.

You can buy Gen 4 NVMe SSDs here: Buy from Amazon.com (#CommissionsEarned)

Wireless Module

The Intel Killer AX1675i Wi-Fi 6E card is replaceable, using the standard M.2 2230 form factor with two antenna leads.

Cooling System

The cooling solution features dual fans and five heat pipes.
Three heat pipes are shared between the CPU and GPU, while two are dedicated to pushing heat toward side-mounted fin stacks.
Thick graphite pads and foil shields cover the VRMs and memory chips, and the assembly can be lifted as a single unit for repasting.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) in-depth review

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI isn't playing the same game as its rivals. Instead of chasing the highest benchmark scores, Acer has made a bold choice: to prioritize a stunning visual experience and a sleek, portable design above all else. The result is a laptop with one of the most breathtaking OLED displays on the market, wrapped in a chassis that’s impressively thin and light. But this elegance comes at a direct cost to performance, with hardware that's intentionally reined in. So, is this a brilliant new direction for gaming laptops, or a beautiful machine that's ultimately held[...]

Read the full review