Lenovo ThinkPad P16 vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
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.
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
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
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 | Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 6.39 lbs (2.90 kg) | 3.95 lbs (1.79 kg) |
| Material | Carbon fiber and magnesium | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 14.39 x 9.97 x 1.04 inches | 13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Capacity | 94 Wh | 76 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | IPS anti-glare | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 165Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe (dual slot) | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5 ECC | 32 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 24 cores (8P + 16E) | 14 cores (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i9-13980HX (13th Gen) | Intel Core i9-13900H (13th Gen) |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 360
- Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra vs Razer Blade Stealth 13
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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Lenovo products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 or the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra.

