Laptops

Infinix Zero Book Ultra review: A beast in familiar clothing

Not just a familiar face

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The world of notebooks is a lawless wasteland especially if you don’t know what to look for. Though the market offers an endless variety of configurations tailored to your needs, how do you know if you’re paying the best price for a new daily driver? For example, is US$ 999 a good price for a notebook with an Intel Core i9 processor?

Last month, Infinix launched the Zero Book Ultra, a new notebook that isn’t shy about packing some power beneath its lithe frame. As you’ve probably gathered, the laptop sports quite an eyebrow-raising chipset and an attractive price tag. Let’s find out if an impressive spec sheet translates well to a final product.

 

A familiar but welcome design

At first glance, the Zero Book Ultra’s head will turn heads but not for the reasons a new laptop might have. There’s no beating around the bush for this one. It looks like a MacBook Pro, down to the two speakers at each end of the keyboard.

Separating it from Apple’s fare, the notebook’s back panel has an illuminated Zero logo and a subtle crisscross design spread throughout. Also, right where Apple puts the “MacBook Pro” text, the Zero Book Ultra has an Infinix logo right below the screen.

For heft, the notebook doesn’t have a lot of weight to it. I carried it in my backpack for a day, and it wasn’t a pain at all. It was also pleasant sitting on my lap.

A screen that Apple can be jealous of

The Zero Book Ultra’s similarities with a MacBook go beyond the chassis. As it puts out a barrage of movies, the notebook’s screen reminds me of Apple’s Retina displays. Armed with a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display, it can reproduce colors accurately, brightly, and in dazzling fashion, especially with up to 400nits of brightness. Naturally, it’s a step behind Apple; however, for what you’re paying for, it is a remarkable beast.

As an entertainment console, the Zero Book Ultra is a joy to watch movies with. Coupled with how light the entire device is, it’s so easy to whip it out during a flight or in bed to watch a few episodes or a film before landing or going to bed. Also, with a 178-degree viewing angle and capable speakers, it was a treat for watching with others.

Except for time when the sun is directly behind me, the notebook’s display worked well on sunny days. The brightness compensated enough for the shiny screen’s reflections.

Power built for the everyday user

For a lithe laptop, the Zero Book Ultra is deceptively powerful. Armed with an Intel Core i9-12900 and 32GB of RAM, the notebook packs a wallop. It’s not the top of the line, but it’s impressive, nonetheless. It can easily handle everyday use, including a session which simultaneously runs a word processor, Photoshop, and a movie in the background. Except for the switch to battery saver mode, the system barely hiccupped. It also comes with 1TB of SSD storage, a big plus for power users.

However, amid how impressive the processor is, the notebook might not be the best at unlocking the processor’s potential. Instead of a Radeon or a GeForce, it has Intel’s integrated Iris Xe GPU. Naturally, an integrated chip isn’t the best thing to pair with a powerful processor. At the very least, the Iris Xe in in Intel’s upper tier of integrated graphics.

Though you might not be able to play the new Call of Duty at a competitive pace, the combination is enough to play less demanding titles. Games which don’t need as much GPU power, such as Super Animal Royale and Hollow Knight, run well on the laptop without any performance boosters.

If you’re in it for some light gaming, attaching an external keyboard and mouse might help a lot. Though the notebook has a chiclet keyboard inspired by Apple, it isn’t as tactile as I would have hoped. With a 75 percent keyboard, it does take some getting used to, if you’re not familiar with the layout. Plus, while it’s responsive most of the time, the trackpad does skip every now and then, especially during battery saver.

If you want more out of the machine, the notebook comes with an Overboost mode, toggled with an external switch. While it’s on, it ramps up performance to 54W. The Zero Book Ultra played Overwatch 2 on high settings without problem. Unfortunately, enabling the feature puts a lot of strain on the battery. Even when plugged, Overboost mode sucked out more battery than the charger could provide. On the bright side, the ICE STORM 2.0 cooling system saved the laptop from heating up to unbearable levels.

A variable battery

Though the laptop performed well under a variety of circumstances, the battery remained a constant problem. With a 70Wh battery, the Zero Book Ultra leans more towards the lighter side of the spectrum. Under regular use, it can eke out six hours of battery life on a full charge. Battery saver only partially helped, squeezing out an extra hour before shutting down.

However, things shake up once more intensive tasks are started. For example, a light gaming session lasting half an hour sapped 20 percent of the battery. (For reference, this was tested with Super Animal Royale, a 2D battle royale with light requirements.) Meanwhile, a 2-hour Overwatch 2 Overboosted session grabbed the same amount of battery even when plugged.

For charging, the notebook uses a USB-C cable instead of the traditional adapters. The package also comes with a 100W power adapter. Though the port offers convenience, it takes around 2 hours to fully charge the machine.

Is the Zero Book Ultra your GadgetMatch?

Looks can be deceiving. While the notebook’s MacBook-inspired design can hint at an Apple copycat, the Zero Book Ultra offers more than just a wannabee. It offers exactly what it promises on paper: a powerful slate of hardware capable of almost everything, even some decent gaming. Though the battery prevents it from becoming a perfect device, it’s still more than worthy of its price tag.

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Editors' Choice

GadgetMatch Awards: Best of IFA 2026

Xiaomi 18 Fold, Govee, XGIMI, ARZOPA, Cuktech and more!

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September 9, 2026

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We’re back at IFA 2026 in Berlin, checking out some of the coolest and most interesting tech on the show floor.

From smart home lighting and portable displays to projectors, power solutions, foldables, and more, these are some of the products and brands that caught our attention this year.

In this video, we take a look at: ‪

GOVEE‬

ARZOPA

CUKTECH‬

** Use code CUKTECH09, valid until September 30

XGIMI

Xiaomi

ASUS‬ x NVIDIA RTX SPARK

Watch until the end for our favorite finds from IFA 2026!

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Laptops

ASUS laptops now come with three months of Google AI

5TB of cloud storage included

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September 7, 2026

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Select ASUS and ROG laptops now come with three months of Google AI Pro or Google AI Plus at no extra cost. The offer starts September 7 and covers eligible models from the 2025, 2026, and upcoming 2027 lineups.

Google AI Pro includes 5TB of cloud storage, while Google AI Plus comes with 400GB. Both plans also provide access to a range of Google’s AI-powered tools and features.

More Google AI on ASUS laptops

Eligible customers can use the Google Gemini app, Deep Research, Google Flow, Gemini in Google apps, and Gemini Notebook, among other features. Availability varies depending on the Google AI plan and supported features.

Google AI Pro offers higher usage limits and expanded access to Google’s more capable Gemini models. It also includes additional developer and agentic tools such as Google Antigravity, Jules, and AI Studio, subject to availability and plan terms.

Google AI Plus provides elevated access to Google’s AI tools alongside features for creative generation and productivity.

The offer covers more than just AI features. Google AI Pro’s 5TB of cloud storage and Google AI Plus’ 400GB give users additional space for documents, photos, videos, research, and other projects.

Available across select ASUS models

The one-year program starts September 7 and applies to selected ASUS and ROG laptops in supported markets. Eligible models span the ROG, TUF Gaming, ProArt, Zenbook, and Vivobook families, including select 2025 and 2026 models and upcoming 2027 devices.

Customers can redeem the offer exclusively through the MyASUS app. ASUS has published the full list of eligible models and the offer’s terms and conditions on its website.

Check the full list of eligible ASUS laptops

ASUS is also running its No. 1 Quality, School-Ready Deals promotion until September 15, 2026. The promo offers additional deals for students, gamers, and professionals buying select ASUS and ROG devices.

The company’s No. 1 Quality and Service package also includes up to three years of international and local warranty, service access across more than 90 countries, and over 100 ASUS Service Centers and Drop-Off Points in the Philippines. Eligible laptops also come with one year of Local Accidental Damage Protection and up to six free device cleaning claims.

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IFA 2026

TECNO MEGABOOK T15 360 unveiled at IFA 2026

Four laptops, three phones, one event

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September 4, 2026

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TECNO is making its MEGABOOK lineup a little more flexible.

At IFA ShowStoppers 2026, the uprising tech brand unveils the MEGABOOK T15 360 with two more laptops and three phones tagging along.

One laptop, four modes

The MEGABOOK T15 360 series is the brand’s first laptop lineup with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen display.

By that, it’s more than just a conventional laptop. It can also be a tablet or a portable display via Tent mode or Stand mode. This added feat makes everything more versatile as TECNO’s existing laptops are only limited to the clamshell form factor.

Both models feature a 15.6-inch screen with the standard 16:9 aspect ratio. As alluded earlier, it’s a touchscreen laptop consisting of 10-point multitouch points. There’s also optional MPP 2.0 active pen support if you want to write or draw directly on the display.

So what’s the difference?

Well, the regular T15 360 gets a Full HD 60Hz panel with 320 nits brightness.

Meanwhile, the Pro version takes it up a notch with a faster 120Hz refresh rate, sharper 2.5K display resolution, full 100% sRGB coverage, and higher 350 nits brightness.

Both laptops come in an all-metal chassis made using CNC machining. The convertible design doesn’t come at the expense of a more conventional laptop build.

Performance uncompromised

TECNO isn’t treating the T15 360 as a lightweight convertible that has to compromise on performance.

You can get up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, paired with an LPDDR5X RAM. The storage is based from PCIe M.2 2280 SSD — with select models having a secondary M.2 slot for utmost expansion.

There’s also a 70Wh battery plus support for a speedy 65W PD GaN charger. Connectivity includes up to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, alongside seven built-in ports.

Practical stuff were neither forgotten. There’s a backlit keyboard with a dedicated number pad, a fingerprint reader underneath its power button, dual speakers with DTS Ultra, a webcam, and dual digital microphones.

TECNO’s OneLeap feature also rounds things out by letting the MEGABOOK work with other TECNO’s smartphones, tablets, and other PCs for cross-device collaboration.

Two more MEGABOOKs

TECNO also brought two other MEGABOOKs to IFA.

The MEGABOOK K15S WCL is the more straightforward option. It uses Intel’s newer Wildcat Lake platform with a 16:10 display, a 70Wh battery, and 65W GaN charging — all in a premium, all-metal body.

Then there’s the MEGABOOK T17 Ultra. Ultra by its name, it goes big with a massive 17.3-inch 16:9 display. It can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and LPDDR5X memory. It also features a massive 99.99Wh battery and speedy 100W GaN PD fast charging.

Wait! There’s even more…

Beyond laptops, TECNO reveals the true form of its Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone at IFA 2026.

As announced more than a month ago, this concept uses a redesigned display architecture, internal stacking, structural engineering, and screen packaging to eliminate the physical black border around the display, resulting in what TECNO calls a true 0mm display border.

Beside a phone prototype, there are two consumer-ready products as well.

The POVA 8 Pro 5G Tonino Lamborghini Limited Edition combines the POVA series’ performance-focused approach with Tonino Lamborghini’s design language.

It uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate 5G chipset alongside TECNO’s custom-made P1 Graphic Chip and a 5K IceShield vapor chamber cooling system. Specific details will be announced on September 4, 2026.

Meanwhile, the CAMON Slim 5G focuses on a thinner form factor, measuring just 6.39mm thick.

TECNO says it combines the CAMON line’s imaging features with AI capabilities and artistic colorways. More specifications will be revealed on September 7.

Pricing and Availability

The MEGABOOK T15 360 Series is expected to arrive in Europe by Q4 2026.

Depending on the configuration choice, the MEGABOOK T15 360 will start between EUR 899 ~ EUR 999. The MEGABOOK T15 360 Pro will cost as much as EUR 1099.

No pricing info were announced for the other MEGABOOKs and two phones as of writing.

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