Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H vs ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the mid-range contender, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H shines as the premium choice. If you're gaming, the Nitro's RTX 4050 offers solid 1080p performance, but for stunning visuals and portability, the Zenbook's OLED display is unmatched in its class. Key specs: Display: 15.6" vs 14" and Refresh: 144 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H (mid-range) and ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) (high-end) represent different approaches to laptops. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Acer Nitro | ASUS Zenbook |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓5★ (1 reviews) | 4.6★ (16 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops) | Stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen with verified HDR brightness |
| Main Drawback | Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness | Glossy screen handles reflections poorly in bright environments |
| Market Position | Mid-range | ✓Premium |
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust)
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores)
Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS)
Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H vs ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
| Criterion | Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★5(1)Amazon | ★4.6(16)Amazon |
Processor | Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP) | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores) |
AI Engine | No (Not supported) | Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS) |
Cooling | Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust) | Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation) |
RAM | 16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective) | 16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz) |
RAM Upgrade | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible) | No (Soldered) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) |
Display Size | 15.6" | 14.0" |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) | 2880 x 1800 (3K) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
Screen Type | IPS (LCD; Matte; ComfyView) | OLED (Touchscreen; Glossy; SGS Eye Care Display) |
Refresh Rate | 144 Hz | 120 Hz |
Brightness | 250 nits (Typical) | 400 nits (SDR); 600 nits (HDR Peak) |
Color Gamut | 45% NTSC (Typical) | 100% DCI-P3 |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) with Numeric Keypad | US Standard (QWERTY) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (White backlight) | Yes (White) |
Biometrics | No (Not supported) | IR Webcam (Windows Hello Face Authentication) |
Webcam | 720p HD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) | 1080p FHD IR camera with privacy shutter |
USB Ports | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Charging); 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) | 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 | 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 4-cell Li-Ion (57 Wh) | 4-cell Li-Ion (75 Wh) |
Charger | 135 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) | 65 W USB-C Adapter |
Weight | 2.11 kg (4.66 lbs) | 1.28 kg (2.82 lbs) |
Build Material | Plastic chassis (Obsidian Black) | Aluminum (Ponder Blue) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP)
No (Not supported)
Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust)
16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective)
Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible)
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
Cons
- Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache
Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores)
Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS)
Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation)
16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz)
No (Soldered)
Pros
- Stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen with verified HDR brightness
- Excellent battery life (75 Wh) for a 14-inch laptop
Cons
- Glossy screen handles reflections poorly in bright environments
- RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded later
Which one is better?
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H is the better buy for most people - its stunning 3K OLED display at 2880 x 1800 crushes the Acer Nitro's FHD 1920 x 1080. That said, grab the Acer if you want a more budget-friendly gaming laptop that still offers upgrade options.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H if: you want solid 1080p gaming performance, need upgradeable RAM and storage, or prefer a larger screen.
Choose the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) if: you prioritize stunning display quality, need a lightweight option for travel, or want longer battery life. (14" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (5★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Acer Nitro
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 16 reviews vs 1
→ Choose ASUS Zenbook
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose ASUS Zenbook
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Acer Nitro
Conclusion
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H and ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Bottom line: The Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H edges ahead with a 5★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H or ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)?
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is the better choice if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) wins if you value stunning 120hz oled touchscreen with verified hdr brightness. Both are rated highly (5★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H and ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)?
Key differences: Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H offers thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops), while ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) stands out with stunning 120hz oled touchscreen with verified hdr brightness. Consider that Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H display has poor color accuracy (45% ntsc) and low brightness. Meanwhile, ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) glossy screen handles reflections poorly in bright environments. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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