ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot + PC: Is it a Macbook Killer?
If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read it here.
Image By Asus
Pros
- Stunning Design
- Powerful Performance
- Gorgeous Display
- Long Battery Life
- Excellent Connectivity
- AI-Powered Features
Cons
- High Price
- Mediocre Keyboard and Trackpad
- No Ethernet Port
- Display Brightness Could Be Better
Introduction: ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot + PC
Laptops today are not just gadgets but have become an essential companion – be it for work, content creation or entertainment. But finding the perfect laptop can be like searching for a needle in an ever-changing digital haystack.
Imagine a device that not only meets your expectations but redefines them! The Asus ZenBook S16 (UM5606) Copilot+ PC is the ultimate killer combo of style, performance, and AI innovation. Its ultra-sleek design, Ryzen AI processor, and OLED display make it a premium laptop for professionals, creators, and multitaskers.
Whether you’re doing 4K streaming, video editing or coding, this laptop promises to take every moment to the next level. In this detailed ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot + PC review, we will compare this laptop’s design, display, performance, battery, and its competitors (MacBook Pro 16 and Dell XPS 15).
Design & build Quality
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Material:
- Ceralum Body: A composite of ceramic and aluminum, providing a premium feel and enhanced durability.
- Finish:
- Scandinavian White: Offers a classy, minimalist aesthetic with a smooth, fingerprint and scratch-resistant finish.
- Zumaia Gray: Another light color option.
- Build Integrity:
- Solid construction with minimal to no flex or bend under pressure.
- High level of durability.
- Ergonomics:
- ErgoLift Hinge: Automatically tilts the keyboard for a more comfortable typing experience.
- Well-spaced keyboard layout for natural typing.
- Thermal Considerations:
- The keyboard can become warm during extended CPU-intensive tasks, indicating potential limitations in ventilation.
- Aesthetic:
- Premium, minimalist design.
- Classy vibe.
- Durability:
- High durability due to the Ceralum material.
- The smooth finish helps to resist fingerprints and scratches.
Design & Build Quality
The design of the Asus ZenBook S16 (UM5606) Copilot+ PC feels premium at first glance. When I held it in my hands, the first thing I noticed was its Ceralum body finish. This material is a composite of ceramic and aluminum, which is not only beautiful but also next-level in durability.
Appearance and Feel
The Scandinavian White colour version of the ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot+ PC gives off a very classy and minimalistic vibe. Its Ceralum material feels quite solid, and there is no flex or bend when pressed on top. I liked its smooth finish as it doesn’t show fingerprints and scratches easily – which is perfect for daily use.
It is also available in Zumaia Gray if you prefer light colours, but the Scandinavian White variant has a different premium touch feel.
Hinges and Ergonomics
Its ErgoLift hinges automatically tilt the laptop a bit, which makes the typing experience more comfortable. The spacing of the keyboard is perfect, and the typing feel is also natural.
Yes, the keyboard feels a bit warm after using it for a long time, especially during CPU-heavy tasks – ventilation could have been improved further.
Specification & Performance
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Processor:
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
- Memory (RAM):
- 32GB LPDDR5
- Graphics:
- AMD Radeon 880M integrated GPU
- AI Capabilities:
- Dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit)
- 50 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) AI performance
- Copilot+ features (Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, AI Image Generation)
- Performance Highlights:
- Strong multitasking performance
- Consistent performance in both plugged-in and battery modes
- Competitive benchmark scores (Geekbench 6, Cinebench R24)
- Efficient thermal management with a CNC micro-ventilation system
- Low power consumption.
- Other Features:
- Copilot+ Button
Performance
The ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot+ PC is not just a killer in looks, it is also the best in performance. This laptop has an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, its biggest highlight. Ryzen AI processors deliver cutting-edge AI features and efficiency together – and I found the performance of this laptop quite impressive.
Everyday Tasks
I tested the Asus ZenBook S16 a lot in multitasking daily, and I did not feel any lags or hiccups. I opened 15-20 Chrome tabs at once and browsed, did image editing in Photoshop, and also worked on Full HD video streaming, Google Docs and Microsoft Office – everything ran absolutely butter smooth. Powered by the Ryzen AI processor and 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, the laptop handles every task effortlessly, no matter how heavy the workload is.
Benchmarks & Speed Test
When it comes to benchmarks, this laptop competes with entry-level MacBook Air M3 and premium laptops like Dell XPS. I tested this laptop in both plugged-in and battery mode and got quite consistent performance in both scenarios.
1. Geekbench 6 (Plugged-in)
- Single Core: 1,950+
- Multi-Core: 8,000+
2. Geekbench (Battery Mode)
- Single Core: 1,800+
- Multi-Core: 7,600+
3. Cinebench R24 (Multi-Core)
- 800+ points – Which is almost similar to Apple M1 and M2 silicon.
Graphics Performance
The ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot+ PC comes with an AMD Radeon 880M integrated GPU, which is quite decent for daily graphics and light gaming. In the Geekbench OpenCL test, I got:
30,000+ points (Plugged-in)
28,000+ points (Battery)
The point is not over here – GPU performance is almost the same in both plugged-in and unplugged, which is quite rare.
AI Performance
ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot+ PC comes with a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) that delivers 50 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) AI performance.
I like its Copilot+ button and AI features:
- Windows Studio Effects (Portrait Blur, Eye Contact).
- Live Captions – This feature transcribes live videos in real time.
- AI Image Generation (through Copilot)
However, to be honest, till now, no killer feature in AI can dramatically change your daily usage. But when new AI features are launched in the future, this laptop is future-ready for that.
Power + Efficiency = Middle Lane King
The biggest flex of AMD Ryzen AI processors is that they compete with Apple and Snapdragon ARM chips with x86 architecture. I liked its low power consumption and long battery standby time a lot.
Performance = equal to MacBook Pro
Power Consumption = Half.
Cooling System
I didn’t find the laptop too hot during video editing and benchmark tests – its thermal performance is absolutely solid. Asus has used a CNC micro-ventilation system that dissipates heat efficiently.
Yes, the keyboard does get a bit warm after extended usage, but it does so to a manageable level.
Display Experience
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Size: 16-inch
- Type: 3K OLED Touchscreen
- Resolution: 3K (exact resolution not specified, but likely around 3000 x 2000 or similar)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Color Gamut: 100% DCI-P3
- HDR Certification: Dolby Vision, VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black
- Response Time: 0.2 ms
- Brightness:
- 490-500 nits (SDR)
- Up to 800 nits (HDR)
- Features:
- Touchscreen capability
- Color profile switching via MyAsus app (Standard, sRGB, DCI-P3, Native)
- Glossy Screen.
Exceptional Screen Quality
If the biggest highlight of the Asus ZenBook S16 (UM5606) is to be chosen, then, without any doubt, it’s the 16-inch 3K OLED touchscreen display. When I first turned on the laptop, the display made a killer first impression.
Vibrant Colours and Deep Blacks.
The biggest advantage of having an OLED panel is that the colours look extremely punchy and true-to-life. The display supports 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, which is perfect for creatives and content creators. Whether it’s video streaming or photo editing, every single colour and detail looked extremely sharp and vibrant.
Its Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification reminded me of the display on the MacBook Pro – but this one feels a little more saturated and lively, especially the black colours. Their depth and contrast level is next level.
Vibrant Colours and Deep Blacks.
The biggest advantage of having an OLED panel is that the colours look extremely punchy and true-to-life. The display supports 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, which is perfect for creatives and content creators. Whether it’s video streaming or photo editing, every single colour and detail looked extremely sharp and vibrant.
Its Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification reminded me of the display on the MacBook Pro – but this one feels a little more saturated and lively, especially the black colours. Their depth and contrast level is next level.
Smooth Performance with 120Hz Refresh Rate
When I use the laptop, scrolling and animation transitions feel buttery smooth, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. Visuals feel quite fluid and lag-free when gaming and watching videos.
In games like Doom Eternal and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, I got an instant response time, and its 0.2 ms response time also makes it more responsive.
Touchscreen Experience
This display has touchscreen capability, which makes this laptop even more interactive. Through the MyAsus app, you can switch between colour profiles as per your choice – Standard, sRGB, DCI-P3 and Native.
The touchscreen response is extremely accurate and smooth – whether you are scrolling through documents or zooming images, everything feels seamless.
Brightness and HDR Performance
I tested the brightness under different conditions, and I got a peak brightness of 490-500 nits in regular SDR mode and up to 800 nits in HDR mode. This is quite impressive in the OLED display segment, especially for indoor and outdoor use.
Yes, the MacBook Pro Mini LED display peaks at up to 1600 nits, but the ZenBook S16’s OLED panel beats the MacBook in contrast and colour reproduction.
A small drawback
I only found one drawback in this display – its glossy panel picks up reflections a lot, especially in bright light environments. This is something Asus should improve in the next model.
Gaming Experience
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 9 370
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon 880M GPU
- Display: 3K (3200×2000) resolution display (also tested at 1080p and 720p)
Gaming Performance Summary:
- Capable of smooth gameplay (40-60 FPS) in Doom Eternal at 3K resolution.
- Achieves consistent frame rates above 60 FPS in Doom Eternal at 1080p.
- It plays Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 40-50 FPS at 10080p resolution with medium settings.
- AAA titles are playable at low-medium settings.
- Street Fighter 6 runs at 40-50 FPS at 1080p, with occasional slowdowns.
- Street Fighter 6 runs at 60 FPS at 720p.
- The AMD Radeon 880M GPU is considered a strong integrated GPU for casual gaming.
Performance
The Asus ZenBook S16 (UM5606) Copilot+ PC surprised me with its amazing gaming performance despite being an ultra-thin laptop. Generally, slim laptops struggle even with casual gaming, but the AMD Ryzen AI 9 370 processor and integrated AMD Radeon 880M GPU exceeded gaming expectations by a lot.
Doom Eternal
First, I tested Doom Eternal, a good benchmark game. I ran it at native 3K resolution (3200×2000) and got smooth gameplay between 40 and 60 FPS, which is quite impressive for an integrated GPU. The graphics were sharp and vibrant, and every detail was crystal clear at the 3K resolution of the display.
If you switch to 1080p resolution, the performance becomes even more fluid, and you get constant frame rates above 60 FPS. After seeing this performance, I felt that this laptop was ready for casual gaming.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Next, I tested Shadow of the Tomb Raider, a graphically intensive game. At 3K resolution, the game was unplayable as the frame rates were only dropping to 20-25 FPS. But as I set the resolution to 1080p and medium graphics settings, the game easily ran smoothly at 40-50 FPS.
Based on this performance, it can be said that AAA titles are playable for casual gaming at low-medium settings – which is impressive for a laptop in this segment.
Street Fighter 6
Playing fast-paced fighting games like Street Fighter 6 on integrated graphics can be a little tricky. I tested it at 1080p resolution, and the game ran at 40-50 FPS, but sometimes, there was a slight slowdown.
If you drop the resolution down a little to around 720p, the game runs smoothly and buttery smooth at 60 FPS. This means that the AMD Radeon 880M GPU is one of the best integrated GPU options for casual gaming.
Battery Performance
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Battery Capacity: 78Wh
- Battery Type: (Implied) Lithium-ion, as is standard for modern laptops.
- Charging:
- USB-C 100W Fast Charging Support
- Charges up to 60% in approximately 45 minutes.
- Battery Life (Real-World Use):
- 8-10 hours of typical daily use (web browsing, office work, video streaming, light photo editing).
- Minimal performance drop (1-2%) during demanding tasks and gaming on battery power.
- 9-10 hours of light use.
- Standby Battery Life:
- 4% battery drain over 12 hours.
All-Day Power with Impressive Performance
Asus ZenBook S16 (UM5606) also surprised me a lot in terms of battery performance. This laptop comes with a 78Wh battery, which is quite big in comparison to its slim and lightweight body.
Daily Use Performance
In my regular usage, some of it was like this:
- 15-20 Chrome tabs
- Google Docs and Microsoft Office
- Full HD video streaming
- Some Photoshop Editing
The laptop easily handled all of this for 8-10 hours without any hiccups. This result is pretty close to Asus’s All-Day Battery Life Claim.
Battery Performance in Gaming and Heavy Tasking
When I tested games like Doom Eternal and Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the laptop in unplugged mode, I did not find any noticeable difference in performance.
Even in 3DMark Time Spy Benchmark, there was only a 1-2% performance drop in battery mode, which is quite impressive – especially for a thin and light laptop.
Heat Management
The only complaint is that when you are running the laptop in 28W Performance Mode, heat up to 50-51°C comes out from the bottom vents. This can be a little inconvenient if you are using the laptop by keeping it on your lap.
The good thing is that in 15W Balanced and Super Quiet Modes, both heat and fan noise are reduced considerably – and performance also remains perfectly balanced for everyday tasks.
Standby Battery Test
I did a 12-hour standby test, and the battery dropped by only 4% – which is a pretty good result for Windows laptops.
With light use, I got 9-10 hours of battery backup, which is perfect for creatives and office users.
Fast Charging
This laptop has USB-C 100W fast charging support, and the battery gets charged up to 60% in just 45 minutes. But I faced a small inconvenience that the screen blacks out for a second while plugging in the charger – which Asus should fix in the next version.
Keyboard & TrackPad
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Keyboard:
- Backlit: Yes
- Key Spacing: Described as “perfectly spaced out” (no exact measurement provided).
- Key Travel: 1.1mm
- Typing Experience: Comfortable for long typing sessions, suitable for tasks like writing blog drafts and articles.
Trackpad:
- Size: “Super large,” covering almost the entire palm rest area.
- Precision: “Quite good.”
- Haptic Feedback: No
- Physical Clicks: Crisp and responsive.
- Multi-finger Gestures: “Butter smooth” (including scrolling and pinch-to-zoom).
Keyboard
I found this laptop quite comfortable for typing. Its backlit keyboard is perfectly spaced out, and the keys have a travel distance of 1.1mm, which is perfect for long typing sessions. I was able to write all my blog drafts and articles in Google Docs smoothly without any discomfort.
Trackpad
I liked the super large trackpad on this laptop. It covers almost the entire palm rest area, and the precision is quite good. It doesn’t give haptic feedback, but physical clicks are crisp and responsive. Multi-finger gestures like scrolling and pinch-to-zoom also work butter smooth.
Ports & Connectivity
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
I/O Ports:
- USB:
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (data speed up to 10Gbps)1
- 2x USB 4.0 Gen 3 Type-C (with support for display/power delivery, data speed up to 40Gbps)2
- HDMI:
- 1x HDMI 2.1 TMDS
- Audio:
- 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack3
- Card Reader:
- SD 4.0 card reader 4
Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi:
- Wi-Fi 7(802.11be) (Tri-band) 2×25
- Bluetooth:
- Bluetooth® 5.4 Wireless Card (Note: Bluetooth version may vary with OS version)6
Key connectivity features to note:
- The inclusion of USB 4.0 ports provides very fast data transfer speeds and versatile connectivity for displays and power delivery.7
- Wi-Fi 7 offers the latest in wireless connectivity for high-speed internet access.8
- The SD 4.0 card reader is very useful for photographers and videographers.
The ZenBook S16 has a versatile port selection that’s convenient for everyday use and creative tasks.
Left Side Ports
- HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) – perfect for connecting an external monitor
- 2x USB-C 4.0 – Full-function ports that support data transfer, charging, and display output
- 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
- I had no issues connecting Thunderbolt SSD drives to the USB-C ports, everything worked perfectly.
Right Side Ports
- Full-Size SD Card Reader – A helpful addition for creators, but the card sticks out halfway, which can be a bit inconvenient.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Port – A high-speed and reliable port for external peripherals.
Audio Experience
Image By MINI Byte | "Source: minibyte.tech"
Specification
- Speaker System: 6 speakers (2 tweeters and 4 woofers)
- Audio Enhancement:
- Harman Kardon tuning
- Dolby Atmos support
- Speaker Direction: Technically downward-firing, but sound is emitted from side edges for even room distribution.
- Audio Quality:
- Rich and clear sound
- The punchy bass is impressive for a thin and lightweight laptop.
High-Quality Sound
The ASUS Zenbook S16 UM5606 Copilot+ PC has a setup of 6 speakers – 2 tweeters and 4 woofers – which gives this laptop an immersive audio experience. These speakers are technically downward-firing but emit sound from the side edges, which spreads the sound evenly in the room. I listened to Netflix shows and Spotify music and found the sound quality to be quite rich and clear. Its Harman Kardon tuning and Dolby Atmos support make its audio experience even better.
The speakers are quite impressive for the size of this thin and lightweight laptop, and the bass is also quite punchy – which is generally missing in thin laptops.
Webcam and Face Unlock
The top bezel houses a 1080p webcam that is good for video calls. The camera quality is sharp and works well even in low-light conditions. The webcam also has a 3D IR sensor that supports Windows Hello face unlock.
I found the face unlock feature quite convenient for personal use, but it was a bit inconsistent at times in low light, and I had to enter the password manually. Devices like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio perform a bit better in this case.
Still, the face unlock feature is a good convenience for this price range and category – especially when it works flawlessly in bright environments.
| Specification Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Conclusion
The Asus ZenBook S16 is an excellent choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a blend of performance and portability. Its stunning OLED display, strong processor, and lightweight design make it a standout option. While issues like the glossy screen and unreliable face unlock exist, they are minor compared to the overall quality of the laptop.
If you’re searching for a premium ultrabook with top-notch performance and design, the Asus ZenBook S16 should definitely be on your radar. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to check out the latest deals on this laptop through the links we’ve provided!
To read about the ASUS RT-BE92U WiFi Router, click here.
One Comment