Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Review: Powerful and Flashy

Asus has refreshed its ROG Strix Scar lineup for 2025, equipping the brand new fashions with the newest Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 collection laptop computer GPUs and Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors. The laptops additionally sport a revamped design that is flashier than earlier than, but additionally extra purposeful as they provide simpler entry for upgrading RAM and storage. Asus says it has improved the cooling system as effectively, which is now quieter than the earlier technology.

One standout addition is the AniMe Vision show on the lid, a characteristic that first gained recognition with the Zephyrus lineup.

With all these upgrades, the bottom variant that includes the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU is priced at Rs. 3,79,990. If you are aiming for the top-tier mannequin with the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, be ready to spend Rs. 4,24,990. Both variants characteristic the Intel Core Ultra 275HX CPU.

Now that is a steep value for a gaming laptop computer. So is it well worth the price ticket? Read on to search out out.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Design: Improved and flashier

• Dimensions – 354 x 268 x 22.8mm
• Weight – 2.80kg
• Colours – Off Black

The 2025 ROG Strix Scar 16 appears very totally different to its predecessor due to a brand new lid, backside panel, and improved RGB lighting. The lid will get 8,353 precision-milled holes for the Anime Vision show, which makes use of 810 LEDs to play animations in dot-matrix fashion. You’ll additionally discover an RGB ROG brand and the textual content ‘For Those Who Dare’ printed on the lid.

The lid options 8,353 precision-milled and 810 LEDs for the AniMe Vision show

 

Asus has additionally made the edges extra chamfered and smoother for a premium look. Unlike final yr’s mannequin, which featured sharp edges, the 2025 variant will get rounded edges, making the laptop computer seem slimmer. There’s additionally a full 360 RGB strip on the backside that passes all types of gamer checks.

The laptop computer provides a 360-degree wrap-around RGB gentle bar on the backside

 

The left aspect homes a proprietary AC enter port, a 2.5G Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1, twin Thunderbolt 5 inputs, a hybrid 3.5mm jack, and a USB 3.2 Type-A port. On the suitable aspect, the laptop computer provides two USB 3.2 Type A connectors.

You get loads of ports on the laptop computer, but it surely misses out on an SD card slot

 

You’ll discover the exhaust ports on the again, and the consumption vents on the backside and the edges. Turning over the laptop computer reveals the brand new rear cowl, which now provides tool-less removing due to a latch system. There’s additionally a brand new Q-latch system, which makes storage upgrades simple and quick.

The new tool-less again cowl is simple to take away

 

Asus has used magnesium alloy and plastic on the ROG Strix Scar 16. The construct high quality is top-notch, with each the lid and keyboard space displaying no indicators of flex. It’s additionally fairly heavy at 2.8kgs, making this extra of a desk machine than a transportable laptop computer.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Display: Mini LED Excellence

• Size and kind – 16-inch Mini LED HDR panel, 3ms Response time
• Resolution – 2.5K (2560×1600) WQXGA, 16:10 facet ratio
• Refresh charge – 240Hz

Opening the lid, which might be achieved with one finger, reveals the gorgeous anti-glare Mini LED panel. Asus calls it the ROG Nebula HDR show, and it provides over 2,000 dimming zones, 1,200 nits peak brightness, and one hundred pc DCI-P3 protection. The show additionally provides Dolby Vision, HDR, and Nvidia G-Sync help. Add the 240Hz refresh charge and 3ms GTG response time, and the ROG Strix Scar 16’s show is a delight for gaming and content material consumption.

The Mini LED show helps HDR and Dolby Vision

 

The Mini LED show boasts deep blacks and vivid colors. It additionally will get tremendous vivid indoors, particularly when HDR is enabled. The anti-glare coating additionally helps preserve reflections at bay. The show options slim bezels on the edges and thicker bezels on the highest and backside.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Keyboard, Touchpad, audio system, and webcam

• Keyboard – Backlit with per-key RGB, Copilot key
• Touchpad – Multi-touch with NumberPad
• Speakers – Quad drivers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res certification, Smart Amplifier know-how
• Webcam – 1080p IR digicam with Windows Hello help

The laptop computer encompasses a full-size keyboard on the Strix Scar 16 with devoted media controls and customisable keys. The keyboard helps per-key RGB and features a Copilot key. You get glorious journey and suggestions from the well-spaced keys. Asus additionally claims that the switches used within the keyboard are rated to final over 20 million presses.

The keyboard provides hotkeys and per-key RGB

 

I used to be pleasantly shocked by the touchpad on the laptop computer. It’s massive, provides multi-touch help, good palm rejection, first rate suggestions, and encompasses a glass floor for a easy glide. The touchpad additionally will get a digital numpad. Simply faucet the Num LK swap positioned on the highest left nook of the touchpad, and you may have entry to a digital quantity pad.

The touchpad is now 36 % bigger than the last-generation mannequin

 

Asus has put in 4 audio system on the Strix Scar 16 that comprise two tweeters and two woofers. The sound output from the audio system is loud sufficient for indoor use, and you additionally get some bass. The laptop computer additionally provides Dolby Atmos, Virtual encompass sound, and Smart Amp know-how. The headphone jack on the laptop computer additionally helps Hi-Res Audio output.

The laptop computer additionally provides Two-Way AI Noise Cancellation know-how

 

Moving on to the net digicam, which is a 1080p IR unit with Windows Hello help. The digicam performs effectively when there’s loads of gentle, but it surely’s nothing out of the strange. In lowlight situations, noise begins creeping in, making the picture look mushy. Before getting on that video name, be sure to’ve received good lighting round. Windows Hello works effectively, is safe, and quick.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Software: Typical Windows expertise

• OS – Windows 11 Home
• Additional instruments – Aura Sync, Armoury Crate, Copilot

The laptop computer runs Windows 11 Home out of the field and comes preinstalled with Office Home 2024. Microsoft Copilot can be accessible on the laptop computer, providing fast solutions to queries and extra.

Armoury Crate helps you to handle all types of settings on the laptop computer

 

You may also discover extra Asus instruments resembling Armoury Crate, which helps you to customise all of the RGB lighting on the laptop computer. The device gives entry to the AniMe Vision show, permitting you to pick out customized or pre-made animations. Aura Sync is a part of Armoury Crate and helps you to create customized lighting zones throughout the keyboard, the ROG brand on the lid, and the 360 gentle strip.

Armoury Crate additionally helps you to swap between the 5 Performance modes, handle Scenario Profiles, and set macros.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Performance: More than you may want

• Processor – Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
• RAM – Up to 64GB DDR5-5600
• Storage – Up to 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0
• GPU – Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a robust cellular CPU, and our evaluate unit got here bundled with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16GB GDDR7 VRAM, 32GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD. You get twin RAM and SSD slots for enlargement.

You may also configure the ROG Strix Scar 16 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 laptop computer GPU

 

Although many of the {hardware} right here is top-notch, my solely gripe is with the kind of storage used. Asus might’ve supplied a PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD, which the laptop computer helps, however as an alternative comes with the now older 4.0 SSD. While finish customers will not discover any main distinction, the artificial benchmarks present that the laptop computer is slower than the competitors, such because the HP Omen Max 16 (Review), which will get a 5.0 drive. Take a have a look at the benchmark scores beneath.

Benchmark	Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025	HP Omen Max 16
Cinebench R23 Single	2,183	1,275
Cinebench R23 Multi	32,895	30,974
Geekbench 6 Single	3,015	2,948
Geekbench 6 Multi	15,335	18,373
PC Mark 10	8,429	8,436
3DMark Steel Nomad	4,689	5,171
3DMark Time Spy	17,652	21,129
3DMark Speed Way	5,110	5,818

In benchmarks, the laptop computer did fairly effectively. I ran the assessments in Turbo mode, which delivers a complete wattage of 230W. However, there’s additionally a Manual mode that unlocks extra efficiency, providing a complete of 255W of wattage. The GPU is rated for 175W TGP, and the CPU can go as much as 80W TDP. To preserve the whole lot operating easily, the laptop computer additionally options an upgraded cooling system. There’s a bigger vapour chamber, three followers, liquid metallic thermal paste, and a sandwiched heatsink design. Asus claims that the upgraded cooling can preserve the temperatures down by 15 levels Celsius.

Needless to say, you possibly can play all types of AAA video games at excessive body charges with none fear. Asus transferring all of the exhaust vents to the again additionally signifies that the keyboard and the encircling space stay cool throughout lengthy gaming classes. I ran CyberPunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and The Last of Us Part 1 on the laptop computer to check out its efficiency. Since the laptop computer makes use of the brand new RTX 50 collection GPU, you additionally get DLSS 4.0 AI body technology.

Hogwarts Legacy is operating on the ROG Strix Scar 16 with Ultra graphic settings

 

In CyberPunk 2077, with out DLSS 4.0 enabled, texture high quality set to excessive, and decision at 2K, the sport delivered about 45-50fps. With DLSS enabled, I received about 75-80fps. Meanwhile, Hogwarts Legacy ran at round 120fps with DLSS turned on at Ultra settings. With DLSS disabled, the sport delivered a body charge of 80-90fps. Running The Last of Us Part 1 with all settings at max, I received about 85-100fps. For AAA gaming, 4K video enhancing, and all kinds of artistic work, the ROG Strix Scar 16 will not allow you to down. It additionally seems that Asus has certainly improved the cooling system on the brand new laptop computer.

In phrases of wi-fi connectivity, the laptop computer provides quick triple-band Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. Wireless efficiency was glorious, and I didn’t face any random disconnections.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Battery: Ordinary

• Capacity – 90Whr
• Charging – 380W AC adapter

The laptop computer packs a 90Whr battery, which is identical capability because the predecessor, however I do not suppose anybody thinks about battery life when buying such a robust gaming laptop computer. During gaming classes, with the profile set to Turbo, I received about 1-2 hours of battery life with brightness set to round 50 %. In regular utilization, I received about 4 hours of battery life with the iGPU enabled.

The laptop computer has triple followers on the within

 

Charging is dealt with by a big 380W brick of an adapter, however you can too cost the laptop computer utilizing the USB Type-C port, which helps as much as 100W PD. Using the supplied 380W adapter, I used to be in a position to cost the laptop computer from 20 to 60 % in about half-hour, with a full cost taking about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 2025 Verdict

If you have received the cash, I’d suggest shopping for the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 for its glorious efficiency and cooling, flashy gamer-approved design, and the intense Mini LED show. The laptop computer additionally has a pleasant keyboard and a big touchpad. The tool-less rear panel can be fairly helpful and one thing different laptop computer producers ought to undertake. The solely draw back, albeit minor, is using PCIe Gen 4 storage, significantly when the laptop computer helps Gen 5 SSDs.

The ROG Strix Scar 16 can simply exchange your gaming desktop and add some portability to the combo. Of course, a gaming desktop provides higher upgradeability, however does it have AniMe Vision? The laptop computer is certainly well worth the price ticket.