I set out to see if the Razer Blade 16's redesign, AMD, and RTX 50-series put the laptop back on top

The Razer Blade 16 undergoes a complete overhaul, marking an end to prolonged incremental updates, as it strives to regain its position as Razer’s premier laptop.

In a significant reduction, the bulky frame of the Razer Blade 16 (2024), which I assessed last year, has been drastically minimized to produce the slimmest Razer Blade 16 yet. Remarkably, it maintains the most spacious and comfortable keyboard that Razer has ever incorporated into a laptop.

In a shift from past practices, Razer is now utilizing AMD components for the first time in their flagship product, as Intel seems to be lagging behind. Meanwhile, the latest lineup of NVIDIA GPUs is paving the way into a new phase, boasting potential improvements in performance, efficiency, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

The Razer Blade 16 once more emerges as an exceptional ultra-premium choice due to its numerous upgrades and absence of significant drawbacks compared to its predecessor. However, the decision to recommend it isn’t entirely straightforward.

Despite its intricately built single-piece construction that comes with a hefty price tag, the Blade 16 is not yet in contention for being the most potent gaming laptop available on the market, even for those who are budget-conscious.

Razer Blade 16 review: Cheat sheet

What is it? A high-end gaming laptop that aims to balance premium design, portability, and performance.
Who is it for? Those who aren’t concerned about cost, and simply want the most luxurious gaming laptop you can buy.
How much does it cost? The Razer Blade 16 (2025) starts from $2,999.99 at Razer. With every upgrade, the Razer Blade 16 will cost you $4,899.99 at Razer.
What did I like? The thinner and lighter redesign, the dramatically improved keyboard, and the consistent sustained performance.
What did I not like? The price tag, and the lack of meaningful performance gains year-over-year.

Razer Blade 16 review: Pricing and specifications

The Razer Blade hasn’t historically had a reputation for offering exceptional value, and regrettably, the Blade 16 doesn’t seem to change that perception.

This high-end gaming laptop remains unrivaled in terms of luxury, meaning it carries a substantial price tag to gain entry, and each additional upgrade will require a significant investment, metaphorically speaking, you might have to part with more than just your pocket change.

The new Razer Blade 16 (2025) retails for $2,999.99 at both Razer and Amazon. This powerhouse laptop comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for storage.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the Razer Blade 16 (2025) is a dream machine for me! It offers various customizable upgrades such as the CPU, GPU, memory, and storage. If you go all out, it’ll set you back approximately $4,899.99, whether you grab it from Razer or Amazon. This top-tier configuration will give you a powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, an RTX 5090 graphics card, a whopping 64GB of RAM, and a massive 4TB SSD for storage. It’s a hefty price tag, but if performance is your top priority, it’s worth every penny!

As an analyst, I’ve had the privilege to work with a Razer Blade 16 (2025) review unit, boasting the high-performance Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, an RTX 5090 graphics card, a generous 32GB of RAM, and a spacious 2TB SSD storage. This powerhouse setup will set you back approximately $4,499.99 at Razer’s official store.

While it’s hard to argue that the Razer Blade 16 offers great value for money, its high-quality hardware certainly justifies its price. However, if you focus primarily on raw performance and are willing to compromise on factors like thickness, weight, and premium feel, you can find significantly more powerful hardware at a much lower cost.

If you’re interested in buying the additional 3-year RazerCare warranty, which includes day-one accidental damage coverage (optional), it will cost you between $370 and $500, depending on your choice.

In the box, you’ll find the Razer Blade 16 (2025) and Razer’s proprietary 280W DC charger.

Razer Blade 16 review: Design and build quality

For quite some time now, Razer Blade gaming laptops have been celebrated for their anodized, matte black, single-piece aluminum shell crafted by CNC milling. However, in recent generations, this classic design has started feeling a bit outdated due to minor adjustments and refinements.

The Razer Blade 16 (2025) model represents a significant redesign by the company, emphasizing simplicity while still preserving its distinctive look.

From the moment I started using it, I was instantly captivated by the new design and have yet to be less than impressed. Instead of flashy, it boasts a subtle elegance that sets it apart from other laptops.

What’s new, you ask? While there are numerous refinements, Razer primarily focused on eliminating unnecessary elements to create the slimmest and most streamlined Razer Blade laptop yet.

The updated Blade 16 model boasts a thickness ranging from 14.9mm to 17.4mm, making it about 21-32% slimmer compared to the previous version. Additionally, it tips the scales at 4.71lbs, representing an approximately 13% reduction in weight.

Razer smoothed out the sharp corners to enhance comfort on the Blade 16, and the revamped cooling system gives a sleeker appearance without compromising its impressive performance in a more compact space.

In the process of transition, Razer didn’t omit any ports. There are still five USB ports available, one HDMI 2.1 port, and a full-sized SD card slot, thoughtfully arranged on either side.

Although switching to AMD means you won’t experience native Thunderbolt 4 functionality, the new USB4 ports are universally compatible with most Thunderbolt accessories. They still offer 100W Power Delivery and support for DisplayPort 1.4 output.

This remarkable makeover solidifies the Blade 16 as the epitome of high-end gaming laptops once more. It’s commendable that Razer managed to maintain all necessary ports and even included thoughtful details such as an illuminated Razer logo in their design.

Although Razer has shown dedication towards top-notch hardware design with the Blade 16, there remains a significant aspect that could be enhanced – the display. Most high-end, aesthetically superior laptops have opted for seamless, laminated glass screens instead of the glossy plastic bezels surrounding the Blade 16’s screen. It would be great if Razer could follow this trend and upgrade their display technology as well.

Razer Blade 16 review: Display quality

To clarify, the display hasn’t undergone significant changes in this latest version. You still get the familiar glossy, plastic, non-touch 16-inch display, boasting a taller 16:10 aspect ratio, and featuring an impressive OLED screen.

The Razer Blade 16 boasts a QHD+ resolution combined with a swift 240Hz refresh rate and quick 0.2ms response time, making it crystal clear on this screen size. What’s impressive is that the Razer Blade 16 also possesses the necessary power to fully utilize these speedy specifications.

As an OLED panel, the Blade 16 delivers a lively visual performance, maximizing the rich colors and deep blacks to ensure that every game and movie you watch appears optimally vivid and crisp.

The performance is outstanding without any signs of lag, delay, or interruptions. After experiencing games on such a top-tier screen, settling for less becomes almost impossible.

The Razer Blade 16 serves as a gaming laptop primarily, but it’s designed with creators and serious professionals in mind too, catering to their requirement for a reliable, high-quality color-accurate screen.

Lucky for us, Razer offers factory calibration that covers the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, along with several professionally adjusted color settings and the ability to create your own personalized color profile.

The screen brightness on this laptop isn’t particularly impressive compared to expectations, but it does surpass the 400 nits mark which I believe is essential for an OLED laptop, and it can be dimmed sufficiently for usage even in very low light conditions.

The color balance in the Blade 16 remains remarkably consistent and balanced across different brightness levels, making it an excellent tool for creative work on-the-go. It would be ideal if the next Blade 16 laptop featured a matte or anti-reflective glass screen to reduce glare, but its display quality is impressive as it stands.

Instead of using Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM), the Razer Blade 16’s OLED screen might appear to flicker more frequently compared to other screens, especially noticeable for individuals with higher sensitivity.

Razer Blade 16 review: Performance and thermals

For the year 2025, the Razer Blade 16 underwent more than just an aesthetic makeover; it marked a groundbreaking change as it transitioned from Intel processors to AMD Ryzen AI processors, which is not only a first for Razer but also a significant move in the industry.

Though AMD Ryzen AI may lag behind slightly in certain performance indicators compared to the latest Intel 14th Generation CPUs, it excels in efficiency and offers advanced AI capabilities and the ability to attain Copilot+ PC status due to its potent integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

As I stand by, the arrival of the anticipated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series of mobile GPUs in the Blade 16 is evident. These innovative processors are expected to deliver enhanced performance, increased efficiency, and undeniably superior AI capabilities, equipped with features such as DLSS 4.

This marks Razer’s initial foray into a genuine AI PC; however, what about its performance? In essence, it performs admirably, given the robust hardware components that drive it.

I can express it like this: The AMD Ryzen AI may not be as quick when resuming from sleep compared to Intel or Qualcomm devices, but the Blade 16 performs with the same smoothness and speediness as top-tier Windows laptops.

Looking at the numbers tells a slightly more complicated story, though.

Looking solely at the figures might leave you puzzled. It appears that the latest Razer Blade 15 is actually slower compared to its previous version from last year, which could seem counterintuitive for an upgrade.

Although it may not offer a massive leap in raw performance compared to its previous model, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is actually more efficient and boasts superior capabilities when it comes to artificial intelligence features.

In simpler terms, while AMD Ryzen AI chipsets seem to lag behind Intel’s previous processors in terms of raw paper specifications, they are remarkably more energy-efficient and run much cooler. They also introduce new AI capabilities that Intel doesn’t currently provide at this moment.

As an analyst, I must clarify that while the Razer Blade 16 (2025) may not offer significantly enhanced performance compared to its predecessor, it was not Razer’s primary focus. Instead, they have managed to create a drastically slimmer model that runs cooler, yet maintains, and in some cases, even surpasses the previous model’s performance levels.

I tested the new Blade 16 laptop 25 times using 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark, and it consistently maintained a frame rate of 98.1%. In terms of enduring performance, the latest Blade 16 leaves its predecessor from last year noticeably behind.

Although the noise level remains high, it maintains a soothing, moderate pitch, and the Blade 16 has consistently stayed cool enough for comfortable handling. This year’s model shows significant progress, even with the size diminution compared to the previous one.

Consistent performance is crucial, and the Razer Blade 16 (2025) delivers an impressive gaming experience with contemporary PC games too, even without leveraging the latest Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) features of the RTX 50-series graphics cards.

Forza Horizon 5 — 144 FPS (Extreme preset, 1600p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution/Frame Generation/Reflex Low Latency disabled) | 211 FPS (Max settings, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to “Auto,” NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation/Reflex Low Latency enabled)
Gears 5 — 127 FPS (Ultra preset, 1600p resolution, uncapped framerate, v-sync enabled)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 — 87 FPS (Extreme preset, 1600p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution/Frame Generation disabled) | 96 FPS (NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to “Quality”)
Cyberpunk 2077 — 69 FPS (Ray Tracing: Ultra preset, 1600p resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to “Auto,” NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation/Ray Reconstruction disabled, NVIDIA DLSS Reflex Low Latency enabled) | 51 FPS (Ray Tracing: Overdrive preset, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation/Ray Reconstruction enabled)

In Forza Horizon 5, the 2025 Blade 16 achieved a performance boost of 11% without employing DLSS Super Resolution, unlike its 2024 counterpart. In Gears 5, I observed an improvement of 14% in frame rate with identical settings. However, Cyberpunk 2077 exhibited a decrease of 4% on the new laptop, which may be due to the less efficient AMD Ryzen AI chipset.

I’m not entirely convinced that NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 features are substantial enough to warrant a new generation of GPUs, but the Razer Blade 16 doesn’t necessarily require these features to deliver solid performance. It may not achieve the same level of raw power as gaming laptops that prioritize weight and size for improved cooling over increased specs.

Razer Blade 16 review: Software and AI experience

The Razer Blade 16 (2025) runs a clean build of Windows 11, with only minor additions from Razer.

You’ll notice that by “minor,” I’m referring to software offerings such as AMD and NVIDIA’s software, along with the Razer Synapse 4 and dedicated Razer Chroma application. What struck me was that Razer doesn’t automatically include their Cortex launcher and optimizer in their devices during installation.

This laptop appears quite sturdy, and NVIDIA frequently updates drivers for the RTX 50-series. However, I’ve encountered minor glitches. For instance, the laptop wouldn’t retain my preferred settings for the function row lock key.

I appreciate that the Razer Blade 16 has minimal pre-installed software, but it seems to lack significant utilization of its “AI PC” capabilities. The added features provided by Copilot+ on these computers haven’t offered much practical value thus far, and even the few available features are only beginning to roll out for Intel and AMD systems.

Razer’s initial AI investments are still in their infancy, and regardless, they don’t depend on the AI-focused hardware in the Blade 16 laptop. In fact, it doesn’t come equipped with a proximity sensor for Human Presence Detection (HPD) features, so when you first get the new Blade 16, it functions more like an AI computer in name alone.

As an analyst, I can affirm that there are numerous third-party applications and functionalities readily available that can leverage the AMD Ryzen AI NPU. Consequently, the Razer Blade 16 should theoretically become increasingly intelligent over time. This intelligence upgrade is expected due to ongoing development in AI ecosystems by industry giants like Razer, Microsoft, and many others.

Razer Blade 16 review: Battery experience

Despite my anticipation that the upgrade to more power-efficient AMD Ryzen AI and RTX 50-series components in the Razer Blade 16 would extend its battery life significantly due to its large 90Whr battery, this isn’t unfortunately true.

In the two one-hour battery tests conducted by Procyon, the Razer Blade 16 (2025) model consumed approximately one quarter of its battery power. These tests simulated a typical Microsoft Office workload or an HD video with a display brightness of 200 nits and volume level set at 50%.

The Windows Battery Report showed that this year’s model has a shorter battery life compared to last year’s version, failing to surpass the 4-hour mark. To achieve acceptable battery performance, you can turn off the NVIDIA GPU and other features. However, with default settings, it seems the laptop doesn’t have enough staying power.

A more significant concern lies in the substantial drop in performance when not on charge. In my experiments, the Blade 16 experienced a decrease of 51% and 32% in single and multicore performance, respectively, and a 44% reduction in GPU performance. This occurred under the highest performance setting.

This represents a significant decline in performance, but surprisingly, it doesn’t lead to improved battery life. The most glaring issue is the decrease in single-core performance, which is tangible even in everyday computing tasks.

Razer Blade 16 review: Keyboard and touchpad

Among the aspects I found disappointing in the past Razer Blade laptops was the rather shallow and unimpressive keyboard. Frankly, such a keyboard wouldn’t meet my expectations even on an everyday laptop; considering it’s marketed as a gaming device, it should have been superior.

In response to our requests, Razer revamped the Blade 16 and incorporated a fresh keyboard design into it. The new switches are stronger and offer 50% increased key travel, while also enhancing the layout, which now includes additional macro keys that can be customized. This makes the Blade 16’s keyboard the best on any Razer laptop, without a doubt.

Despite Razer’s laptop keyboards still being outperformed by HP and Lenovo in certain aspects, the Blade 16 has significantly improved its game by introducing deeper, more tactile keystrokes. It delivers exactly what I look for in an excellent keyboard.

Razer effectively utilizes its superior per-key RGB illumination, unmatched in the industry, by incorporating useful quality-of-life elements. By pressing the “Fn” key, all associated shortcuts will be accentuated for easy identification.

Currently, these multi-purpose keys boast twin LEDs. This means that if you press and hold the “Shift” key, the backlighting will switch to display secondary symbols or functions. It’s a refined detail that can only be found in top-tier laptops, but I find it quite appealing.

The large, glass-made Microsoft Precision touchpad is back, however, Razer has slightly reduced its size in response to feedback suggesting it was too sensitive during typing. Despite improvements, the touchpad still struggles with palm rejection, meaning unintended inputs are still a problem.

A larger touchpad enhances the sensitivity towards unresponsive button clicks. Since many gamers deactivate their touchpads during gameplay, I can’t help but yearn for a large, tactile touchpad instead.

Haptic touchpads offer a consistent “click” sensation across their entire area, and when disabled, they transform into a stationary piece of glass. Given that the Blade 16 is already quite costly, it seems justifiable to expect all high-end features like haptic touchpads as well.

Razer Blade 16 review: Other hardware

Instead of skimping on intricate aspects for superior performance, as many gaming laptops often do, the Blade 16 cannot make such compromises – as its target audience is not inclined to settle for less.

This device comes with a Full High Definition front-facing webcam that performs well without being exceptionally outstanding. Although it may not surpass expectations, it certainly isn’t poor quality. Accompanying this camera are dual-array microphones and an IR sensor, which facilitate Windows Hello facial recognition. The microphones offer good performance, while the IR sensor operates swiftly and reliably.

This device does not include features such as a proximity sensor for HPD, an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust brightness or color temperature, or a privacy shutter (either physical or digital). However, it does come with the added benefit of a Microsoft Pluton chip for heightened security.

The Razer Blade 16 is at the forefront of wireless connections, boasting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, and I encountered no problems in this area.

I previously discussed the extra macro keys located on one edge of the keyboard, each featuring a default function and an optional customizable secondary function for your convenience.

To sum up, Razer has expanded the number of speakers in the Blade 16 to a total of six. These speakers are compatible with THX Spatial Audio and deliver quite impressive sound quality. They might not be my ultimate favorites, but they can get quite loud and offer clear, defined audio at all volume levels, providing more bass than typical laptops usually do.

Razer Blade 16 review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

You want a gaming laptop that balances portability and performance.
You don’t mind paying a lot extra for an ultra-premium experience.
You want a powerful laptop that also boasts a dedicated NPU for AI.

❌You should not buy this if …

You need the absolute best performance you can get for your money.
You need a laptop that’s performant on the charger and long-lasting off.

In just one generation, Razer significantly advanced the Blade 16, making noticeable strides. However, there are aspects I look forward to seeing enhanced in future versions, such as a glass screen, haptic touchpad, and additional features typical of high-end Ultrabooks.

Beyond that point, it’s worth noting that the latest Blade 16 model is slimmer and lighter than previous versions, yet maintains a cool operating temperature. Remarkably, it either matches or surpasses the performance of its bulkier predecessor in terms of speed. For the first time in a while, this laptop seems to live up to its high price point once more.

To put it simply, if you’re primarily seeking a high-performance gaming laptop and portability isn’t a major concern, then the high price tag may be justified due to its luxury design, given that you’ll likely keep it close to an electrical outlet most of the time.

Additionally, I’d prefer if the battery life away from the charger were improved, given how significantly the performance drops once it’s unplugged. However, there are trade-offs involved here. That being said, the Razer Blade 16 (2025) is a stunning and powerful laptop that I find more appealing than its previous version.

If you’re in the market for a high-end laptop and have the necessary funds, you can buy the Razer Blade 16 (2025) for as low as $2,999.99 at Razer today.

2025-04-06 16:12

I set out to see if the Razer Blade 16’s redesign, AMD, and RTX 50-series put the laptop back on top