Acer has updated the Predator Helios Neo gaming laptop range with three new AI-branded models built around Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus processors and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop graphics.
The refresh covers the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI, Predator Helios Neo 16 AI and Predator Helios Neo 18 AI, giving buyers a choice between a slimmer travel-ready machine, a more conventional 16-inch performance laptop and a larger 18-inch desktop replacement.
Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is the slim performance option
The Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is the thinnest model in the updated family, with a chassis starting at under 18.9 mm while still offering up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus and up to a GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU.
Its 16-inch OLED HDR display runs at WQXGA resolution with a 240 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time, while Calman Verified 100 percent DCI-P3 color coverage gives it appeal beyond gaming for creators who care about color accuracy.
Neo 16 AI adds stronger cooling and full-size connectivity
The Predator Helios Neo 16 AI keeps the 16-inch format but leans harder into sustained performance, using Acer’s Predator AeroBlade 3D Fan, liquid metal thermal grease and vector heat pipes to manage heat under longer gaming sessions.
It also gets Intel Killer Ethernet E3100 for prioritized wired networking and Thunderbolt 4 for high-speed peripherals, making it the more rounded choice for players who stream, dock at a desk or run external storage and capture gear.
Neo 18 AI goes bigger with an anti-glare WQXGA display
The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI is the large-screen model, pairing the same top-end processor and GPU options with an 18-inch WQXGA panel rated for 240 Hz refresh and 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage.
Acer has also added an Ambient Contrast Ratio film to the 18-inch display, designed to cut glare and preserve contrast in brighter rooms, a practical upgrade for a laptop that is likely to spend time on desks rather than in backpacks.
AI features extend beyond frame generation
The new Helios Neo machines arrive with the expected NVIDIA Blackwell benefits, including AI-accelerated graphics features, DLSS 4.5 support and the added headroom of up to 16 GB of GDDR7 VRAM on RTX 5080 configurations.
Acer is also building AI functions into the daily experience through PredatorSense, PurifiedVoice, PurifiedView and Acer Intelligence Space, with tools for fan and performance control, noise reduction, video enhancement, FPS aiming support and automatic gameplay capture.
- Predator Helios Neo 16S AI arrives in EMEA from June 2026 and in North America and Australia from July 2026.
- Predator Helios Neo 16 AI arrives in EMEA and Australia from June 2026 and in North America from July 2026.
- Predator Helios Neo 18 AI arrives in EMEA from June 2026 and in North America and Australia from July 2026.
Exact configurations and pricing will vary by market, but the direction is clear. Acer is using the Helios Neo line to bring high-refresh OLED and WQXGA displays, current flagship laptop graphics and more visible AI tools into multiple performance laptop formats.
