Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) review – OLED Stunner, Performance Underdog
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 back by its own design philosophy?
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/acer-predator-helios-neo-16s-ai-ph16s-71/
Contents
- Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
- Design and construction
- Display and Sound Quality, Display Profiles
- Get our profiles
- Work Performance: CPU, Storage, AI
- GPU and Gaming Performance
- [eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop
- Temperatures and Comfort, Noise, Stability
- Battery Life
- Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
- Verdict
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) - Specs
- HDD/SSD
- up to 2000GB SSD
- M.2 Slot
- 2x 2280 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 See photo
- RAM
- up to 64GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro
- Dimensions
- 356.78 x 275.5 x 12.0 - 19.9 mm (14.05" x 10.85" x 0.47")
- Weight
- 2.70 kg (6 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Sleep and Charge
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
- 1x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
- HDMI
- 2.1
- Card reader
- microSD (microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC)
- Ethernet LAN
- 10, 100, 1000, 2500 Mbit/s
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- Web camera
- FHD IR with support for Windows Hello Face Authenticatio
- Backlit keyboard
- Microphone
- 3x Microphone Array with AI noise-canceling
- Speakers
- 2x Stereo Speakers, DTS:X Ultra
- Security Lock slot
All Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://www.acer.com/sg-en/support/product-support/Predator_PHN16S-71/downloads?suggest=phn16s-71;0
What’s in the box?
Acer keeps the unboxing for the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI focused and to the point.
Inside the box, you’ll find just the essentials: the laptop itself, the mandatory set of booklets, and its necessary 230W power adapter.
No extra frills or accessories here, just what you need to get powered on and straight into the game.
Design and construction
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) manages to strike a rather impressive balance between gaming prowess and a surprisingly elegant, almost understated design. It’s remarkably portable for a machine in its class.
The matte black finish – the only color option we’ve encountered (though official confirmation on exclusivity is pending) looks fantastic, featuring a discrete, black mirrored Predator logo centrally on the lid and an almost imperceptible “Helios Neo” inscription across the rear air vents. If it weren’t for the tell-tale RGB lighting, you might even mistake it for a high-performance professional laptop rather than a dedicated gaming rig, making it an ideal candidate for those who need a powerful machine they can take anywhere without screaming “gamer.” The chassis material isn’t officially specified but appears to be a high-quality plastic or alloy, and it feels very robust with no discernible flex, living up to the expectations of a high-end gaming laptop.
What truly sets the Helios Neo 16S apart is its impressive slimness for a gaming computer. The version with an RTX 5070 Ti measures just 12mm at its thinnest point, tapering to 19.97mm (14.05 x 10.85 x 0.47/0.79 inches), while models with an RTX 5070 or 5060 are even a hair thinner at a maximum of 18.97mm (0.47/0.75 inches). It weighs in at a manageable 2.3 kg (5.07 lbs) with its standard 4-cell battery pack. While the surface does pick up some fingerprints, it’s not overly prone to them. Opening the lid is a smooth, one-handed operation, adding to its user-friendly feel.
The display is framed by exceptionally thin bezels, contributing to its sleek profile and immersive viewing experience – for sure these are among the thinnest in the world. The side bezels are a mere 4.5mm (0.18″), while the top bezel is just 8mm (0.31″). Despite this slimness, Acer has packed in an impressive FHD camera paired with an IR camera, both featuring blue glass lenses. This setup delivers 1920 x 1080 resolution, smooth 1080p HD video at 60 fps with Temporal Noise Reduction, Staggered High Dynamic Range (SHDR), and dual microphones for clear audio. One notable omission, however, is a physical privacy shutter for the webcam – a small oversight. The screen itself opens to a maximum angle of about 150 degrees. Since there are no touchscreen options for this model, the lack of a full 180-degree lay-flat capability isn’t a significant issue.
Despite the relatively compact chassis, Acer has impressively managed to include a NumPad with nearly full-sized keys – a pleasant surprise and a boon for productivity. The keyboard features vibrant RGB backlighting and offers a very comfortable typing and gaming experience, with a satisfying 1.5mm key travel. It’s great to see that the arrow keys are also full-sized, a crucial detail for many gamers.
For biometric login, you’ll be relying on the IR camera, as there’s no dedicated fingerprint sensor. Below the keyboard, the trackpad measures approximately 127 x 83.8 mm (5.0 x 3.3 inches) and is very comfortable and responsive to use, making navigation a breeze when you’re not using an external mouse.
Ports and Connectivity
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) features a practical and well-distributed array of ports. On the left side, users will find a high-speed Killer E3100G 2.5Gbps Ethernet (RJ-45) port, crucial for stable online gaming and large file transfers. This is accompanied by a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (offering speeds up to 10Gbps) for fast peripherals, a microSD card slot for convenient storage expansion or file access, and a standard 3.5mm headphone/speaker combination jack.
The right side offers additional USB connectivity with one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port (up to 5Gbps) and another faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (up to 10Gbps). This second 10Gbps port also supports power-off USB charging, allowing users to charge connected devices even when the laptop is shut down or sleeping.
Many of the high-bandwidth and power connections are neatly located on the rear of the device. This includes the dedicated DC-in jack for the main AC adapter, which will be the primary power source for optimal performance. For display output, there’s a potent HDMI 2.1 port with HDCP support, capable of driving external displays at resolutions such as 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz. The rear also hosts two USB Type-C ports. The first is a highly versatile port supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort over USB-C for video output, and importantly, Thunderbolt 4 for maximum data throughput and advanced display capabilities. It can also output 15W (5V/3A) for charging other devices and accept 90W or 100W (20V) DC power input as an alternative, lighter-duty charging method for the laptop. The second USB Type-C port on the rear also offers USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps) speeds, DisplayPort over USB-C, 15W USB charging output, and can accept 90W (20V) DC power input for the laptop; however, this second port does not feature Thunderbolt 4.
For wireless networking, the Helios Neo 16S AI is equipped with a Killer Wireless Wi-Fi 6E 1675i module. This supports the 802.11ax standard across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and the less congested 6 GHz bands, utilizing 2×2 MU-MIMO technology for robust performance. Bluetooth 5.4 (or newer, depending on OS updates) is also included, with support for Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3), offering potential improvements in audio quality and efficiency for compatible wireless audio devices.
Display and Sound Quality, Display Profiles
We ordered a configuration with the faster 240 Hz panel. The other option is 30% slower, and 25% brighter:
| Model | Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) | |
| Panel Model | ATNA60DL03-0 (SDC41AB) | – |
| Diagonal | 16.0 inches (40.6 cm) | 16.0 inches (40.6 cm) |
| Panel Type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Max Refresh Rate | 240 Hz | 165 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Pixel Density | 189 PPI | 189 PPI |
| ‘Retina’ Distance | 46 cm | 46 cm |
| Brightness | 400 nits (typical) | 500 nits (typical) |
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71): the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can show.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the display at 100% of the sRGB color gamut and 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
(Fig.1) Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in HDR mode is 617 cd/m² at 8% white fill and 439 cd/m² on a full white screen.
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 400 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 401 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 2%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6520K.
The contrast ratio of OLED panels is excellent because the pixels turn off completely when displaying black.
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 181 nits (Windows slider = 61%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71). We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
Before our calibration of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71), the Average color accuracy was 1.5 dE (Fig. 2), and with our Design and Gaming profile, it lowered to 1.4 dE (Fig. 3).
(Fig. 2) Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) in its factory condition
(Fig. 3) Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) with our display profile
Comparison in the Display P3 color space.
Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Office Profile
Visibility in dark scenes
Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.
The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Gaming and movies profile activated.
On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness.
You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The luminance of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) display pulsates across the entire brightness range, but with limited amplitude. We find the display relatively comfortable for vision in this regard.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71)’s screen is 172 GU. Not a good result.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Get our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) configurations with ATNA60DL03-0 (SDC41AB), 2560 x 1600, OLED panel.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.
Design and Office
The Design and Office profile makes display colors as close to real as possible.Ideal not only for professionals but also for everyday users, it meets sRGB standards (D65 white point, sRGB gamma) with minimal DeltaE for precise color reproduction on your panel.
Gaming and Movies
Have you ever watched a movie where, during dark scenes, you can barely see anything? Many displays fail to distinguish dark tones properly. Our Gaming and Movies profile enhances low-light performance, like HDR tech, using a gamma curve tailored to human perception — ideal for gamers seeking faster reactions and clearer visuals.
Health-Guard
Our Health-Guard profile protects your eyes by eliminating PWM flickering, reducing strain and fatigue, and minimizing harmful Blue light exposure that can disrupt sleep and health. It uses software dimming and a gamma curve tailored to human perception for comfort and safety during screen use.
Get All The Profiles With 33% Discount!
Sound
When we subjectively listen to a sound file through the built-in speakers, the sound quality offered by Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) is relatively good. However, the low, mid and high frequencies have slight deviations in clarity.
Work Performance: CPU, Storage, AI
All performance and temperature tests are conducted with “Turbo” mode activated in Predator Sense:
CPU and Work Performance
There are multiple Intel Core Ultra choices with the fastest one of them being Ultra 9 275HX, Ultra 7 255HX as a mid option, and Ultra 5 235HX for the base variant. We got the Core Ultra 9 275HX as we’ve tested many laptops with it and we’d be able to compare the results in a fair manner.
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Storage Performance
We ordered the configuration with 1TB of storage, and the laptop arrived with SK Hynix HFS001TEJ9X125N. Not a bad choice, given its 7.0GB/sec sequential read, and 6.2GB/sec sequential write speed.
AI Performance
Here you can see the position of the GPUs and CPUs (NPUs) found within the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) in our AI Hardware Performance Rankings based on their AI processing power, measured in TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) - a critical metric indicating the computational throughput, particularly for AI tasks.
The first column shows peak performance for INT8/FP8 precision, which is the most widespread metric for evaluating AI inference capabilities. We exclude Sparsity to provide a more accurate reflection of AI performance in dense computation scenarios where sparsity optimizations may not be applicable. The second and third columns show the performance with Sparsity, and FP4 TFLOPS, when supported.
For SoCs, the results reflect the peak performance of the integrated NPU. Additionally, it’s important to note that, according to Microsoft, a NPU must have at least 40 TOPS of AI computing power for the PC to be considered “AI-capable.”
| # | GPU / CPU (NPU) | TOPS INT8/FP8 No Sparsity | TOPS INT8/FP8 Sparsity | TFLOPS FP4 Sparsity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 669. | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (Laptop) | 209 | 418 | 836 |
| 849. | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (Laptop) | 173 | 346 | 692 |
| 1634. | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | 36 | — | — |
| 1651. | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | 33 | — | — |
| 1659. | Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX | 27 | — | — |
GPU and Gaming Performance
You can choose between NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, and RTX 5070 Ti. We ordered the faster variant which turned out to be a 115W version.
You can find the performance rating of all the GPUs on the market in our Top Laptop Graphics Ranking.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Gaming tests
In Counter-Strike 2, it achieved a fluid 152 FPS at 1600p Very High settings, ensuring ultra-responsive performance for competitive play.
| Counter Strike 2 | 1600p, Very High (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 152 FPS |
In more graphically demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong, the system managed 40 FPS at 1200p Cinematic and 31 FPS at 1600p Cinematic, which is solid for such a demanding title at high detail levels.
| Black Myth: Wukong | 1200p, Cinematic (Check settings) | 1600p, Cinematic (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 40 FPS | 31 FPS |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider ran beautifully, hitting 137 FPS at 1200p Highest and 90 FPS at 1600p Highest, showing this GPU can easily handle AAA games at high resolutions.
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 1200p, Highest (Check settings) | 1600p, Highest (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 137 FPS | 90 FPS |
Even Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, known for its heavy ray-traced environments, delivered 60 FPS at 1200p Extreme and 44 FPS at 1600p Extreme – very playable for a laptop GPU in this class.
| Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition | 1200p, Extreme (Check settings) | 1600p, Extreme (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 60 FPS | 44 FPS |
[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop
🛠 Step-by-Step Overclocking/Undervolting Guide + Pre-Made Profiles
💻 A detailed OS Optimization Guide
🛠 A detailed Hardware Upgrade Guide
🖼 Custom Display Profiles for superior screen quality
💾 Our LM Profiles app
You’ll also get links to carefully selected:
⚙️ Custom GPU vBIOS for unleashing the full potential of the GPU
💾 Software tools for optimizations
Temperatures and Comfort, Noise, Stability
At idle, the CPU package of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) maintains a temperature of 57ºC, and the notebook remains slightly audible with the CPU and GPU fans spinning at ~2150 RPM.
Office Work, Web Development, Design
Short periods (0:00 – 0:10 s) of 100 % CPU load
This test shows the CPU behavior during short periods of serious load. It’s important for users who are looking for laptops suitable for tasks like Web Design and Programming.
| Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Avg. P-Core Clock | Avg. CPU Temp. | Avg. CPU Power |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 G615 | 4471 MHz | 94 °C | 150 W |
| ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G835 | 4383 MHz | 91 °C | 136 W |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 AI (PH16-73) | 4374 MHz | 87 °C | 154 W |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16″ Intel) | 4259 MHz | 90 °C | 178 W |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | 4194 MHz | 91 °C | 151 W |
| MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW | 4185 MHz | 90 °C | 155 W |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) | 3829 MHz | 88 °C | 130 W |
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) achieved an average CPU clock of 3829 MHz during short 10-second loads, accompanied by an average temperature of 88 °C and average power of 130 W. The temperature of 88 °C is acceptable. However, compared to other Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX laptops, its 3829 MHz average clock is the lowest, with other models ranging from 4185 MHz to 4471 MHz. The 130 W average power consumption is also among the lowest. While thermal management keeps temperatures acceptable, the CPU performs at a lower frequency and power than its peers during brief demanding tasks.
Video editing, Scientific computing, Software compilation, 3D rendering
Long periods (0:00 – 30:00 min) of 100 % CPU load
This test shows the CPU behavior during long periods of serious load. It’s important for users who are looking for laptops suitable for tasks like Video Editing and 3D Rendering.
| Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Avg. P-Core Clock | Avg. CPU Temp. | Avg. CPU Power |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 G615 | 4178 MHz | 97 °C | 134 W |
| Acer Predator Helios 16 AI (PH16-73) | 4106 MHz | 92 °C | 140 W |
| ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 G835 | 4057 MHz | 95 °C | 130 W |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16″ Intel) | 3980 MHz | 91 °C | 151 W |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | 3945 MHz | 91 °C | 130 W |
| MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW | 3903 MHz | 84 °C | 111 W |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) | 3362 MHz | 85 °C | 86 W |
For sustained CPU loads over 30 minutes, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI recorded an average CPU clock of 3362 MHz, an average temperature of 85 °C, and average power consumption of 86 W. The 85 °C average temperature is acceptable. However, the average clock speed of 3362 MHz is notably lower than all other tested laptops with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, which range from 3903 MHz to 4178 MHz. This significantly lower clock speed correlates with its considerably reduced average power draw of 86 W. Performance under prolonged heavy CPU load is comparatively modest.
Gaming Stability
Continuous gaming (1-hour test)
This test evaluates the laptop’s performance under sustained GPU load and high CPU usage.
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | Avg. GPU Clock | Avg. GPU Temp. | Avg. Memory Clock | Avg. GPU Mem Temp. | Avg. GPU Power |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 G615 | 2376 MHz | 79 °C | 1685 MHz | 77 °C | 138 W |
| MSI Vector 16 HX AI A2XW | 2362 MHz | 74 °C | 1750 MHz | 77 °C | 139 W |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) | 2315 MHz | 81 °C | 1561 MHz | 81 °C | — |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) | 1935 MHz | 79 °C | 1125 MHz | 83 °C | 89 W |
During a 60-minute gaming stability test, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI achieved an average GPU core clock of 1935 MHz, with an average core temperature of 79 °C and average memory temperature of 83 °C. Both the core and memory temperatures are good. However, its average GPU clock of 1935 MHz is significantly lower than other laptops equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which average between 2315 MHz and 2376 MHz. This lower clock speed is consistent with its considerably reduced average power consumption of 89 W. While thermal performance is good, sustained gaming performance is notably lower than similar configurations.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) is 1 cm (0.39″) thinner than Vector 16 HX AI, and you see the result!
Battery Life
The Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) has a battery with 76Wh capacity. Acer claims that this should be enough for up to 5 hours of usage on a single charge.
We tested the Helios Neo 16S AI with Eco mode activated in Predator Sense.
Our tests show that Acer’s numbers are very accurate, as the PHN16S-71 ran for 5 hours and 2 minutes in our battery test.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
The bottom panel of the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI comes off after you undo ten Torx-T6 screws and pry around the perimeter; once inside you are greeted by a classic gaming-laptop layout with the cooling hardware at the top, the motherboard in the middle, and the battery stretching across the front edge.
Acer uses a dual-fan, five-heat-pipe solution, with three of the pipes shared between the CPU and GPU and two dedicated helpers pushing heat toward fin stacks on either side. Thick graphite pads and foil shields blanket the VRMs and memory chips, so the whole assembly lifts as one if you ever decide to repaste.
The left M.2 slot sits under a large black EMI cover next to an Intel Killer AX1675i Wi-Fi 6E card. Swapping drives is a one-screw affair, and the wireless module follows the usual M.2 2230 recipe, so future upgrades are straightforward.
Power is supplied by a 76 Wh four-cell Li-Ion pack. It is held only by friction and its cable—no screws—so once you disconnect the plug you can lift it out to service cells or simply make more room while working elsewhere.
Here’s a side view that shows the battery sitting flush with the chassis and the speakers flanking it; the lack of screws means no surprises when you need to remove it. On the right photo you can see the second M.2 slot.
Memory upgrades are as easy as it gets: two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots are on the top side of the board. Our unit ships with a single 16 GB module, leaving the second slot open for dual-channel operation; the platform supports up to 64 GB at speeds up to 6400 MT/s.
The second slot lives directly under the heat pipes, but there is enough clearance to tilt a module in and click it down without removing any shrouds.
This wider angle shows both memory slots populated, the second NVMe bay, and the trio of heat pipes snaking toward the right-hand fan—everything you might want to touch is within a few centimetres of each other.
A final close-up of the fan area highlights the generous fin density and thick thermal pads that bridge smaller components to the main heatsink.
Verdict
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-71) is a fascinating exercise in deliberate choices. Instead of chasing the absolute highest frame rates, Acer has crafted a machine that prioritizes a premium user experience through a stunning display and a remarkably portable design. It’s a high-end gaming laptop for those who value elegance and visual fidelity as much as, if not more than, raw, unthrottled power.
This laptop carves out a unique niche, appealing to a user who wants a powerful, do-it-all machine that doesn’t scream “gamer” and is a joy to look at, both in terms of its physical design and its incredible screen.
✅ The Good
The absolute star of the show is the absolutely stunning 240Hz OLED panel. With perfect blacks, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and excellent color accuracy right out of the box, it delivers a visual experience that is simply best-in-class for gaming and content creation alike.
This is packed into an incredibly thin and light chassis for a gaming laptop of this caliber, featuring an elegant, understated design that is both robust and portable. The keyboard is comfortable and includes a full-sized NumPad, and the port selection is excellent, featuring a 2.5GbE LAN port and a versatile Thunderbolt 4 connection.
Inside, the user-upgradeable dual-channel RAM is a welcome feature, and the thermal management successfully keeps the components within safe operating temperatures.
❌ The Bad
The slim design comes at a significant cost: performance is noticeably handicapped compared to thicker rivals with the exact same hardware. The CPU and GPU are configured with lower power limits, resulting in lower clock speeds and a tangible performance deficit in both productivity and gaming benchmarks.
While the OLED display is beautiful, it is highly reflective, which can be distracting in bright environments. It also uses PWM for brightness control, which could cause eye strain for sensitive users. These two shortcomings are hurting the total score of the display, badly.
🆚 The Competitors
When placed against rivals like the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (detailed review) or the MSI Vector 16 HX AI (detailed review), the difference in philosophy is stark. Competitors are thicker, heavier, and undeniably more powerful, squeezing every last drop of performance from their components. The Helios Neo 16S AI doesn’t try to win that fight.
Instead, it counters with superior portability and a breathtaking OLED display that its rivals can’t match. The decision boils down to priorities: Do you want a thicker, more powerful rig for maximum frame rates, or a slim, elegant machine with a best-in-class screen that offers a more balanced, albeit less powerful, experience?
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/acer-predator-helios-neo-16s-ai-ph16s-71/
Pros
- Stunning 240Hz OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage
- Incredibly thin and light design for a gaming laptop
- Excellent port selection including Thunderbolt 4 and 2.5GbE LAN
- Comfortable keyboard with a full-sized NumPad
- User-upgradeable RAM with two SODIMM slots
- Good thermal management keeps components within safe limits
Cons
- Throttled CPU and GPU performance compared to competitors
- Highly reflective glossy screen
- Uses PWM for brightness control, which may affect sensitive users
Author: Simeon NikolovEditor-in-Chief at LaptopMedia.com with 20+ years of experience in testing and analyzing laptops and mobile devices.
Author: Kroum NikolovHead of Engineering at LaptopMedia.com, inventor and innovator with 40+ years of experience in electronics and high technology.
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