Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
The Verdict
Budget-conscious buyers should choose the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16, while premium users seeking cutting-edge features will prefer the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra. The Lenovo delivers exceptional value at $999 with a 16-core Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2.5K 120Hz display offering solid performance for most workloads. Its 1.98kg weight and 11-hour battery life make it genuinely portable. The Samsung commands a $1400 premium, justified by superior specs: 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, 1TB storage (double the Lenovo's 512GB), an AMOLED display with 2880x1800 resolution providing richer colors and deeper blacks, and two Thunderbolt ports versus one. However, the Samsung weighs 1.79kg but disappoints with only 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo's newer Intel Core Ultra architecture matches or exceeds 13th-gen performance while consuming less power. Storage proves critical here: the Samsung's non-expandable 1TB contrasts with the Lenovo's expandable 512GB. Unless you absolutely need AMOLED visuals, professional-grade RAM, and premium build quality, the Lenovo represents far better value. The Galaxy Book3 Ultra excels for creative professionals and demanding users; the Lenovo suits everyday computing, productivity, and content consumption at a fraction of the price.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 if…
- →Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- →2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- →Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra if…
- →Gorgeous 16-inch 2.8K AMOLED 120Hz display with vivid colors
- →NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU handles creative and gaming workloads
- →Under 4 lbs — lightweight for a 16-inch laptop with discrete GPU
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Pros
- Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- 2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
- Upgradeable RAM and SSD
- 84 Wh battery supports all-day use
Cons
- Plastic base panel feels less premium
- Display brightness of 350 nits is modest
- No discrete GPU on base model
- Fans audible under sustained workloads
- Heavier than comparable ultrabooks
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Pros
- Gorgeous 16-inch 2.8K AMOLED 120Hz display with vivid colors
- NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU handles creative and gaming workloads
- Under 4 lbs — lightweight for a 16-inch laptop with discrete GPU
- Seamless Samsung ecosystem integration with Galaxy phones and tablets
- Excellent keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel and good feedback
Cons
- $2,399 is steep and competes directly with MacBook Pro 16
- 76 Wh battery drains faster on AMOLED — expect 6-7 hours in practice
- Soldered RAM and SSD limit upgradeability
- Samsung software bloatware is annoying to clean up
- No OLED brightness matching Apple's XDR 1600-nit HDR peak
Full Specifications
| Spec | Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 | Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.98 kg | 3.95 lbs (1.79 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum lid with plastic base | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 356.2 x 248.2 x 18.9 mm | 13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 1 | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 11 hours mixed use | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 84 Wh | 76 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.0 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | 2.5K IPS anti-glare | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 350 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB NVMe | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 32 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) | 14 cores (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core i9-13900H (13th Gen) |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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