ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) vs Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
If you're wondering which laptop to buy in 2025, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED and the Acer Nitro V 15 each cater to different needs. The Zenbook 14 OLED stands out as a premium ultra-thin laptop, ideal for professionals and creatives with its stunning 14" 3K OLED touchscreen and lightweight design at just 2.82 lbs. In contrast, the Acer Nitro V 15 targets entry-level gamers, featuring a 15.6" FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, making it an affordable entry point into PC gaming.
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ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
Comparison: ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) vs Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
| Criterion | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) | Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(15)Amazon | ★5(1)Amazon |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (14-core: 4P + 8E + 2LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 18 MB Smart Cache | Intel Core i5-13420H (8-core: 4P + 4E), 2.10 GHz base, up to 4.60 GHz turbo |
Graphics | Intel Arc Graphics (Integrated; 7 Xe-cores) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6 GB GDDR6; 75 W TGP) |
AI Engine | Intel AI Boost (Up to 11 TOPS) | No (Not supported) |
Cooling | Single-fan cooling system (optimized for quiet operation) | Dual-fan cooling system (2x intake, 4x exhaust) |
RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X (Onboard; 7467 MHz) | 16 GB DDR5 (5200 MT/s effective) |
RAM Upgrade | No (Soldered) | Yes (2x SO-DIMM slots; user accessible) |
Storage | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Storage Upgrade | Yes (1x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slot) | Yes (2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 slots) |
Display Size | 14.0" | 15.6" |
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 (3K) | 1920 x 1080 (FHD) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Screen Type | OLED (Touchscreen; Glossy; SGS Eye Care Display) | IPS (LCD; Matte; ComfyView) |
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz |
Brightness | 400 nits (SDR); 600 nits (HDR Peak) | 250 nits (Typical) |
Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | 45% NTSC (Typical) |
Keyboard Layout | US Standard (QWERTY) | US Standard (QWERTY) with Numeric Keypad |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (White) | Yes (White backlight) |
Biometrics | IR Webcam (Windows Hello Face Authentication) | No (Not supported) |
Webcam | 1080p FHD IR camera with privacy shutter | 720p HD webcam with Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) |
USB Ports | 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / Power Delivery / DisplayPort); 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Charging); 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one with power-off charging) |
Video Ports | 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) | 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.1; Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
Battery | 4-cell Li-Ion (75 Wh) | 4-cell Li-Ion (57 Wh) |
Charger | 65 W USB-C Adapter | 135 W AC adapter (Barrel pin) |
Weight | 1.28 kg (2.82 lbs) | 2.11 kg (4.66 lbs) |
Build Material | Aluminum (Ponder Blue) | Plastic chassis (Obsidian Black) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
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ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H)
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 120Hz OLED touchscreen with verified HDR brightness
- • Excellent battery life (75 Wh) for a 14-inch laptop
- • Premium all-metal build that is extremely lightweight (2.82 lbs)
- • Full Thunderbolt 4 support + USB-A and HDMI (rare in this thinness class)
✗ Cons:
- • Glossy screen handles reflections poorly in bright environments
- • RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded later
- • Fingerprint magnet chassis (Ponder Blue colorway)
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Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H
✓ Pros:
- • Thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops)
- • Good 1080p gaming performance with RTX 4050 and DLSS 3
- • Excellent upgradeability (2x RAM slots, 2x M.2 slots)
- • Clean, understated design compared to typical gaming laptops
✗ Cons:
- • Display has poor color accuracy (45% NTSC) and low brightness
- • All-plastic build feels budget-oriented
- • Fans can get quite loud under heavy load
- • No SD card slot
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Which one is better?
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED wins because of its superior display technology and impressive battery life, boasting over 15 hours compared to the Nitro V 15's up to 5 hours. Additionally, the Zenbook's 3K OLED screen delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, enhancing the visual experience.
Who should buy each?
Choose ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED if:
- You prioritize a high-quality OLED display for design work or media consumption.
- Portability and long battery life are essential for your on-the-go lifestyle.
- You need extensive storage with a 1TB SSD for large files.
Choose Acer Nitro V 15 if:
- Gaming performance with an RTX 4050 GPU is your main focus.
- You want a higher refresh rate of 144Hz for a smoother gaming experience.
- You're looking for a cost-effective entry into gaming laptops.
Both are great for: running Windows 11 Home, providing a modern operating system experience.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED Core Ultra 5 125H) excels if you value stunning 120hz oled touchscreen with verified hdr brightness. Acer Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop i5-13420H is better if you prioritize thunderbolt 4 support (rare in budget gaming laptops). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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