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Lenovo ThinkPad P16 vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra

Updated Apr 2026laptops
Lenovo ThinkPad P16
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad P16
$2,199
8.4/10
Winner
VS
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
$2,399
8.1/10

The Verdict

Both laptops target creative professionals, but serve different priorities. The ThinkPad P16 delivers raw performance with 24 cores versus the Galaxy Book3 Ultra's 14 cores, making it superior for heavy workloads like video rendering and 3D modeling. Its 500-nit display brightness and dual SSD slots provide better versatility for professionals needing fast storage expansion. However, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra's 0.65-inch profile and 3.95-pound weight make it significantly more portable than the ThinkPad's 1.04-inch thickness and 6.39-pound frame. Its AMOLED panel with 2880 x 1800 resolution offers stunning color accuracy and contrast that creatives will appreciate, though the 120Hz refresh rate lags behind the ThinkPad's 165Hz. The ThinkPad includes Windows 11 Pro for better security features, while the Galaxy Book3 Ultra comes with Windows 11 Home. Battery life matches at 8 hours for both. Storage is equally configured at 1TB, but only the ThinkPad allows expansion. Pricing favors the ThinkPad at $2199 versus $2399. For stationary workstations prioritizing power, choose the ThinkPad P16. For professionals frequently on the move who value display quality and portability, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra justifies its premium, though the ThinkPad offers better overall value.

ValueThinkPad P16
BatteryTie
DisplayBook3 Ultra
PerformanceThinkPad P16
portabilityBook3 Ultra

Who Should Buy

Buy the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 if…

  • NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada workstation GPU with ISV certifications for CAD/BIM
  • Up to 128 GB ECC RAM supports error-free professional computing
  • MIL-STD-810H tested with legendary ThinkPad durability

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

Lenovo ThinkPad P16
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Value
8.5
7.5
Battery
7.8
7.8
Display
8.2
8.8
Performance
9.0
7.8
portability
6.5
9.2

Pros & Cons

Lenovo ThinkPad P16

Pros

  • NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada workstation GPU with ISV certifications for CAD/BIM
  • Up to 128 GB ECC RAM supports error-free professional computing
  • MIL-STD-810H tested with legendary ThinkPad durability
  • Dual M.2 slots and user-accessible RAM for easy upgrades
  • Full-size keyboard with numpad and TrackPoint

Cons

  • 6.39 lbs is extremely heavy for mobile use
  • Battery life drops to 3-4 hours under GPU workloads
  • Bulky 1.04-inch thickness does not fit in slim laptop bags
  • Fan noise is significant under sustained professional loads
  • Expensive — workstation GPU configurations exceed $4,000

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

SpecLenovo ThinkPad P16Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
SoftwareWindows 11 ProWindows 11 Home
Body
Weight6.39 lbs (2.90 kg)3.95 lbs (1.79 kg)
MaterialCarbon fiber and magnesiumAluminum
Dimensions14.39 x 9.97 x 1.04 inches13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches
Ports
HDMI
USB-A ports21
USB-C ports22
SD card
Thunderbolt ports22
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 8 hoursUp to 8 hours
Capacity94 Wh76 Wh
Display
Size16 inches16 inches
TypeIPS anti-glareAMOLED
Resolution2560 x 16002880 x 1800
Refresh rate165Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)500400
Storage
SSD1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe (dual slot)1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Processor
RAM32 GB DDR5 ECC32 GB LPDDR5
Cores24 cores (8P + 16E)14 cores (6P + 8E)
ChipsetIntel Core i9-13980HX (13th Gen)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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