Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2026)

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2026)

$1,899 9.1/10
The most well-rounded gaming laptop under $2,000. It matches the ROG Strix G16 in gaming performance while adding a webcam, bigger battery, and SD card reader — making it far more versatile for daily use.

Pros

  • + 1080p webcam and IR sensor make it viable for work and video calls
  • + 99.99 Wh battery — the legal maximum for flights — lasts 6+ hours light use
  • + Excellent keyboard with 1.5mm travel and per-key RGB
  • + SD card reader is a bonus for creators and photographers

Cons

  • 5.5 lbs is heavier than the ROG Strix G16
  • $100 more than the Strix G16 for similar gaming performance
  • Fans ramp up aggressively in performance mode
  • 16:10 aspect ratio may bother some gamers used to 16:9

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2026)

$1,899

via newegg

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Who Is This For?

The Legion Pro 5i is for gamers who also need a laptop that works outside of gaming. It’s the better pick if you:

  • Game and work from the same laptop — the 1080p webcam and bigger battery make a real difference
  • Travel or attend classes — the 99.99 Wh battery pushes 6+ hours of productivity
  • Create content — the SD card reader and color-accurate display help photographers and video editors

If gaming performance is your only priority and you never video call anyone, the ROG Strix G16 saves you $100.

Gaming Performance

GameSettingsFPS
Cyberpunk 2077WQXGA, Ultra, DLSS Quality92 fps
FortniteWQXGA, Epic175 fps
StarfieldWQXGA, High70 fps
Baldur’s Gate 3WQXGA, Ultra85 fps
CS2WQXGA, High290+ fps

Performance is within 3-5% of the ROG Strix G16 — the same CPU and GPU means the difference comes down to thermals and power delivery, which are nearly identical.

Display

The 16-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) 240Hz IPS panel is functionally identical to what you get in the Strix G16. 100% sRGB coverage, fast response times, and the 16:10 aspect ratio gives you extra vertical space for productivity.

Battery and Portability

The 99.99 Wh battery is the legal max you can bring on a plane, and it shows. Expect 6-7 hours of web browsing and document editing. Gaming still drains it in under 2 hours, but that’s true of every gaming laptop.

The Bottom Line

The Legion Pro 5i 16 is our top pick for a gaming laptop that doubles as a daily driver. The $100 premium over the Strix G16 buys you a webcam, a bigger battery, and an SD card reader — worth it for anyone who doesn’t game 100% of the time.

Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16 (2026)

$1,899

via newegg

Check Price →

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.