Acer has just announced its latest Predator Helios 16 & 18 AI laptops during this year’s IEM Katowice event, and we were lucky enough to get hands-on with them both to see how they feel, look, and perform. Ever since we reviewed our first Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 in 2023 we’ve been excited to see what these devices offer each year, as they typically provide a great way of getting a laptop with high core specs at a reasonable price point. This year, thanks to the inclusion of the yet-to-be-released RTX 5070 Ti, we think Acer could have got the balance between price and performance absolutely spot on.

Although we didn’t get the chance to benchmark these laptops – not yet anyway – on some of the more surface-level aspects, we got a good look – and were quietly impressed. RGB isn’t as flashy as on the regular Helios (there’s no lightbar on the front corner for instance) but still includes the logo on the back of the lid – plus the keyboard. The screen options we saw – the OLED display for the 16-inch and the MiniLED for the 18-inch – both looked great, although we didn’t get a look at the cheaper LED options. The build quality, which has been a weaker point of the Neo line in the past, seemed pleasingly solid, including around the bezel area, which was a problem in the 2023 model. Fan noise was difficult to get a read on in the busy conference environment, but it seemed better at least from the last Neo we reviewed. In fact, we cranked the fans up to max during our quick hands-on of both laptops, and they were audibly less intrusive than we’d have expected. The biggest unknown for us remains the battery life (which was great in the 2023 model but poor in the Intel 14th-generation variant from last year), and we won’t know how it performs until we get one in for proper testing.

We’ve got all the information below on the specifications of these laptops, how they compare to the non-Neo models, and their pricing and release date info.

How do the Neo 18 AI and Neo 16 AI differ from the other Helios Predator models?

The ‘regular’ Acer Predator Helios 16 AI and Acer Predator Helios 18 AI were both unveiled at CES 2025, so how do these new iterations compare?

Although you get the option for the same high-end Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor in the Neo laptops, you do not get the option for the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 GPUs as you do with the regular Helios, plus more limited storage (max of 2TB compared to 4-6TB) and RAM in the 18-inch model (capped at 64GB rather than 92GB). The Neos do however offer more options when it comes to displays, giving you the option to go for LED screens with the same or lower refresh rate to save some money. The 18-inch Neo model does lack the 4K/1080p dual-mode display option that you get in the Helios 18 AI though.

Storage on the Neos is limited to PICe Gen 4 (as opposed to PICe 5), you don’t get the same ‘MagKey 4.0 system’ that allows you to replace the WASD and arrow keys with included mechanical options, and the SD slot remains a micro-size as opposed to the full-size one in the standard Helios. Fans are the 5th gen AeroBlade models compared to the 6th gen on the standard Helios, though the liquid metal thermal grease remains the same across all models. Internet connectivity on the Neos remains limited to WiFi 6E and 2.5GBps ethernet connection (as opposed to the WiFI 7 and 5GBps ethernet in the standard Helios) however this will be fine for most users, particularly given broadband above 2.5GBps is relatively rare. You get a single Thunderbolt 4 port on the Neo laptops, compared to the two Thunderbolt 5 sockets on the regular Helios models.

Although the weight remains similar across the ranges (though with the standard Helios 18 being 100g heavier), the dimensions of the laptops differ slightly, with the Neos being a couple of millimeters thinner. The battery remains the same across both 16-inch models, but the Helios 18 AI gets a 99Whr battery, whereas the Neo 18 is limited to 90Whr. All the laptops come with the same 1080p IR webcam. The audio on both lines is also delivered by the same DTS X:Ultra speakers, however, this is limited to two speakers on the Neo laptops, but four on the Helios 16 and six on the Helios 18, which will increase volume though we assume not affect audio quality.

Predator Helios Neo 18 AI & Helios Neo 16 AI specs

If you want a proper look at the detailed specs of both these laptops, we’ve listed them below.

How much will these Helios Neo laptops cost?

The starting price for both models (if you pick the least-powerful loadout) is listed below. The Neo 16 starts at $400 cheaper than the standard Helios 16, and the Neo 18 around $700 cheaper than the standard Helios 18.

• Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73) MSRP: starts at €1,699/$1,899.99
• Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI (PHN18-72) MSRP: starts at €1,799/$2,199.99

When will the Helios Neo 18 AI & Helios Neo 16 AI be released?

The release date for both these laptops depends on your region, with the US and Canada getting first dibs. In the case of the Neo 16 it will be landing a month or so earlier than the standard Helios 16. The Neo 18 will arrive at the same time as the Helios 16 in North American markets but a month earlier in EMEA regions.

• Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI release date window: April in North America / May in Europe, Middle East & Africa
• Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI release date window: May in North America / June in Europe, Middle East & Africa

About the Author

Charlie Noon

Charlie is the Affiliate manager for PC Guide. He has a vast understanding of most PC hardware and consumer essentials, using his knowledge to provide the best products and the biggest deals.