With the M26 model generation, XMG is replacing the Core Ultra 9 275HX in the NEO 16 with Intel’s new flagship Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and equipping the gaming laptop with a 240-Hz OLED display for the first time. As for the graphics card, it’s business as usual: the GeForce RTX 5090, 5080, or 5070 Ti remain available as options. The starting price for the XMG NEO 16 is 3,199 euros, and with the exception of a Mini-LED variant to be released later, every configuration is already available for order on bestware.com.
- New processor: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus instead of Core Ultra 9 275HX, 24 cores (8P+16E), higher die-to-die frequency for lower system latency
- First-ever 240 Hz OLED (2,560 × 1,600 pixels, 500/1,000 nits SDR/HDR); entry-level IPS models now feature 100% sRGB and DCI-P3; Mini-LED with G-SYNC to follow in October
- Up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM and 16 TB of SSD storage, GeForce RTX 5090, 5080, or 5070 Ti
- Starting at 3,199 euros (including 19% VAT), available now except for the Mini-LED model
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus in the familiar aluminum chassis
Nothing has changed about the chassis: The NEO 16 (M26) retains the nearly all-aluminum shell of its predecessor, the E25, including the RGB light bar on the front that can be turned off. Dimensions (356.7 × 259.9 × 27.9 mm) and weight (2.6 kg with OLED, 2.65 kg with IPS) remain the same. Anyone familiar with the laptop will immediately recognize it as the M26.
What’s new is what’s inside. Instead of the Core Ultra 9 275HX, the case now houses the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, Intel’s current top-of-the-line model based on the Arrow Lake HX Refresh architecture introduced earlier this year. The chip features 24 cores (8 Performance cores and 16 Efficient cores), supports the Intel Binary Optimization Tool, and runs at a clock speed roughly 900 MHz higher than the Core Ultra 9 285HX when exchanging data between the dies. This reduces system latency and is expected to be particularly noticeable in games.
When it comes to graphics, XMG sticks with NVIDIA’s three fastest laptop GPUs: The RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070 Ti are available, with a maximum graphics power of 175 watts for the first two and 140 watts for the RTX 5070 Ti, each including Dynamic Boost. The fact that upgrades to the faster cards aren’t exactly cheap is also due to NVIDIA’s GPU prices, which have been raised several times recently.
XMG hasn’t made any changes to the cooling system either, and that’s a good thing. Two 80-mm fans plus a third, 47-mm fan for the memory, copper heat pipes, and Honeywell PTM7958 phase-change thermal compound on the CPU and GPU continue to dissipate heat, which is drawn in from the underside and keyboard and expelled through two rear vents equipped with upstream copper heatsinks. Under full load with Prime95 and Furmark, XMG reports 240 watts of system power with air cooling and up to 300 watts in combination with the optional XMG OASIS Mk2-V4 external liquid cooling system, which is already familiar from the NEO 16 (E25).
240 Hz OLED, IPS Now with Full DCI-P3, Mini-LED Coming in October
The biggest innovation concerns the display—in several ways. For the first time ever, XMG is offering the NEO 16 with an OLED panel, a feature previously reserved for the FUSION 16. Like all variants, it has a resolution of 2,560 × 1,600 pixels, supports 240 Hz, is HDR-capable, and reaches 500 nits in SDR mode and 1,000 nits in HDR mode.
Those who opt for the entry-level configuration with the RTX 5070 Ti can instead choose a new IPS panel with a 300 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits. The difference from its predecessor: It now covers not only the sRGB color space but also 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color space—a feature now shared by all NEO 16 display options.
A Mini-LED display is also scheduled to be released later in October; it is HDR-capable, reaches 750 nits in SDR mode and 1,000 nits in HDR mode, can operate without local dimming if needed, and has a refresh rate of 300 Hz. As a new feature, this specific model supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus, which automatically switches between the integrated and dedicated graphics cards.
The OLED and IPS panels available at launch utilize a MUX switch in combination with NVIDIA Optimus and, unlike the E25 generation, support Adaptive Sync and Variable Refresh Rate, respectively, via the Intel iGPU. On the OLED panel, VRR operates between 60 and 240 Hz, while on the IPS panel it operates between 100 and 300 Hz; users who prioritize battery life over refresh rate can switch to power-saving 60 Hz at any time.
Up to 128 GB of RAM and 16 TB of SSD storage
Two SO-DIMM slots theoretically allow for up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM, including CSO-DIMM modules running at 6400 MT/s. In practice, however, you’ll have to make some compromises for now: Due to the memory crisis and the shortage of large DRAM modules, the configurator on bestware.com currently only allows you to select a maximum of 2 × 64 GB DDR5-5600. The situation is less constrained when it comes to the SSD. Two M.2 slots with thermal pads and additional heat shields can accommodate up to 16 TB of storage combined; the primary slot is connected via PCI Express 5.0 for the fastest available drives.
Ports, Wi-Fi, and External Monitors
Most of the ports are located on the back: Thunderbolt 4 with integrated, DP80-compatible DisplayPort 2.1 functionality and a choice of 140 watts (20 V, 7 A) or 100-watt Power Delivery, plus HDMI 2.1, a Mini DisplayPort 2.1 (also DP80-capable), the power adapter port, and the self-sealing ports for the optional XMG OASIS. On the sides are three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a USB-C port with DisplayPort 1.4a and 100 watts of Power Delivery, a 2.5-gigabit Ethernet port, a full-size SD Express card reader, and a 2-in-1 headphone jack for headsets. Wi-Fi 7 is on board for wireless connectivity, and a Full HD webcam with a physical cover and Windows Hello support is included for video calls.
For those who need more screen real estate: In addition to the internal display, the NEO 16 can drive up to four external monitors. The HDMI and Mini DisplayPort ports are connected to the high-performance NVIDIA graphics card, while both USB-C ports run through the more power-efficient Intel iGPU.
Battery, Keyboard, and Touchpad
Like its predecessor, the screw-in battery has a capacity of 99.8 Wh. Depending on the selected graphics card, a 420-watt or 330-watt power adapter is included, with the more powerful version reserved for the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. The glass touchpad with automatic palm detection measures a generous 123 × 77.5 mm, and the keyboard offers fully programmable individual RGB key backlighting, N-key rollover, anti-ghosting, and concave keycaps. Full-size, offset arrow keys, a full four-row numeric keypad, and an Fn-Lock function round out the input features.
XMG NEO 16 (M26): Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Component | Features |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus (24 cores: 8P + 16E) |
| Graphics Card | GeForce RTX 5090, RTX 5080, or RTX 5070 Ti (up to 175 W or 140 W) |
| Display | 16 inches, 2,560 × 1,600 pixels; OLED 240 Hz, IPS 300 Hz (100% sRGB/DCI-P3) or Mini-LED 300 Hz with G-Sync (starting in October) |
| Memory | 2 × SO-DIMM, up to 128 GB DDR5 (currently configurable up to 2 × 64 GB DDR5-5600) |
| Storage | 2 × M.2, up to 16 TB, primary slot with PCIe 5.0 |
| Battery/Power Supply | 99.8 Wh; 420 W or 330 W power adapter depending on the GPU |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort 2.1, 3 × USB-A 3.2, USB-C with DP 1.4a, 2.5 GbE LAN, SD Express, Wi-Fi 7 |
| Dimensions/Weight | 356.7 × 259.9 × 27.9 mm; 2.6 kg (OLED)/2.65 kg (IPS) |
| Price | Starting at 3,199 euros (including 19% VAT) |
Prices and Availability
The base configuration of the fully customizable XMG NEO 16 (M26) costs 3,199 euros, including 19 percent VAT, and includes the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, an RTX 5070 Ti, 32 GB (2 × 16 GB) DDR5-5600 RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and the 240 Hz OLED display. An upgrade to the RTX 5080 costs an additional 625 euros, while the upgrade to the RTX 5090 costs 1,295 euros. Those who stick with the RTX 5070 Ti can opt for the 300-Hz IPS display instead of the OLED panel and save 145 euros. With the exception of the Mini-LED variant—which is expected to be released in October and won’t be available for order until then—all configurations are available now.
To coincide with the launch, several promotions are running on bestware.com: Samsung SSDs are on sale through September 14, and as part of Intel Gamer Days, laptops and desktop PCs with qualifying Intel CPUs come bundled with the games “Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis” and “STAR WARS: Galactic Racer.” A few hours after the product launch, a third game from another promotion will also become unlockable. For those not interested in the M26 generation, the currently running Gaming Deals 2026 also feature some older XMG laptops at a discount.
Conclusion
With the M26 generation, the XMG NEO 16 essentially gets the same tried-and-true chassis as its predecessor, the E25, but with noticeably more processing power and, finally, an OLED panel that lives up to the laptop’s reputation. The fact that XMG is keeping the starting price stable—and that even the more affordable IPS display now offers full DCI-P3 coverage—doesn’t make the purchase decision any easier, but it does make for a better selection. Only when it comes to RAM, the current global memory shortage is limiting the maximum configuration; those who were hoping for 128 GB will likely have to be patient a little longer. For everyone else, the XMG NEO 16 is now available for customization on bestware.com.
The NEO 16 isn’t alone in this: Just this summer, XMG unveiled an entire update package at Computex 2026, led by the brand’s first 18-inch laptop in 15 years. For those who prefer a more compact and slightly more affordable option, the XMG APEX 16 MAX offers an alternative with AMD hardware and an optional Mini-LED display.
Sources: XMG, bestware.com
