Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED 2023: Complete Test

The Zenbook S 13 OLED version 2023 is the newborn in the Asus Zenbook range. This is the flagship PC from the Taiwanese manufacturer, the product which should reveal all its know-how. The 2022 model has completely blown us away, and now it’s time to explore what its successor offers us. The ultraportable Zenbook S13 OLED 2023 persuades specifically on three focuses.

First of all, it has a featherweight chassis, which makes it very mobile. Then, its 13-inch OLED screen offers optimal visual comfort. Finally, it benefits from a new elegant and attractive coating. If the Zenbook S13 OLED 2023 combines many advantages on paper, we will see if Asus keeps all its promises in this comprehensive test.

A Remarkable Technical Sheet

Before discovering the Zenbook S 13 OLED in detail, let’s take a quick look at its main characteristics. We see that Asus has chosen the best of the best to equip its flagship product:

Screen size: 13.3 inches
Definition: 2880 x 1800 pixels
Display technology: OLED
Touch screen: No
Dimensions: 296 x 217 x 11 mm
Weight: 1 kilo
CPU: Intel Core i7-13550U
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Connections: 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x 3.5 mm jack port, 1x HDMI port
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11

Simply Elegant Design

The AsusZenbook S13 OLED 2023 stands out above all for its lightness and finesse. It is one of the most mobile PCs on the market with its compact dimensions of 296 x 217 x 11 mm and its small weight of 999 grams. It fits easily into a bag for everyday transport. Asus chose a magnesium and aluminum alloy for the chassis and the material it calls “Plasma ceramic aluminum” for the upper part of the cover.

The latter, in a very elegant anthracite gray color, is decorated with white lines representing the outline of the new Asus logo. We find a simple, very discreet “Asus Zenbook” inscription in one corner, engraved in the metal. To the touch, the ceramic treatment of the PC gives a very mineral impression that is truly attractive.

It does not mark fingerprints and appears clean at all times. On the strength side, Asus guarantees military quality for the Zenbook 13 OLED 2023, as well as excellent scratch resistance. It is equipped with two substantial rubber pads along the chassis, which ensure stability when placed.

With this PC, handling, and practicality in use are also studied by Asus. When the cover opens, the keyboard lifts mechanically because the hinges are under the chassis. The screen can tilt 180 degrees if needed. Although the keyboard is narrow, typing is pleasant and quiet.

It is backlit on four levels and does not have a numeric keypad. The ZenBook S 13 OLED 2023 isn’t intended for gaming. It consists of two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.0 Type-A port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and an HDMI 2.1 output. It is also equipped with a 1080p webcam with good-quality infrared sensors.

A Beautiful Screen

The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED 2023 is equipped with a 13.3-inch non-touch OLED panel supporting a definition of 2880 x 1800 pixels or a ratio of 16:9. The refresh rate is 60 Hz, which is suitable for office work. However, it’s disappointing compared to some competitors who offer 90 Hz or even 120 Hz on their 14-inch screens. Asus uses OLED technology across its entire Zenbook series. It has many advantages compared to the IPS LCD. It indeed offers better contrast, better color calibration, and low consumption.

In short, OLED is much more pleasant for the user. Under the probe, the results are satisfactory. OLED technology offers “infinite” contrast, which provides a perfect vision of shades of gray. It’s ideal for watching videos. The maximum brightness of 346 cd/m² does not allow working outdoors. With its MyAsus application, it is possible to adjust the color temperature manually. The default mode offers an ideal temperature of 6500 K. The average Delta E is also good, at 3.

Unsatisfactory Sound

As for audio, the Zenbook S 13 OLED 2023 accommodates two speakers located at the front of the chassis and facing downwards. The sound volume is acceptable, but when listening, the sound is not very balanced. It is terribly lacking in mids and low mids. In fact, this means that the sound broadcast is high-pitched and unpleasant for listening to music. In addition, it also has a distortion of more than 80%.

High Performance

Inside, the Zenbook S 13 OLED 2023 is equipped with the latest Intel Core i7-1355U. It is a 10-core SoC, made up of 2 so-called high-performance hyperthreaded cores capable of reaching 5 GHz and eight so-called efficient cores clocked at 3.7 GHz. Asus speaks of a consumption of 17.5 watts in Balance mode and 22.5 W in Performance mode.

The processor is coupled with 16 GB of RAM and an NVMe SSD in M2 format with a capacity of 1 TB. This PC is, therefore, powerful enough to carry out tasks requiring a little calculation but, at the same time, obviously limited by its small format. In addition, it integrates an Intel Iris Xe eGPU, capable of providing a little boost. The ZenBook S 13 OLED 2023 isn’t intended for gaming.

However, it is able to launch a small, not very demanding game between two work sessions. When put to the test, it displays a stable frequency at 1500 MHz. The CPU temperature remains below 60 degrees, while the eGPU reaches 70 degrees, which is OK. On the other hand, it emits a high noise level of 44 decibels, which is a bit much for an ultrabook.

Good Autonomy

The Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED is equipped with a 63-watt battery, which offers long-lasting autonomy. It can easily last more than 10 hours of video playback and even more with everyday office tasks. This means that it is fully capable of operating a full day outdoors by leaving its charger at home. As for the 65-watt charger, it has the advantage of being compact, almost as close as that of a smartphone. But the cable is not detachable. It charges the computer from 1 to 100% in just under an hour and a half.

Our Verdict

The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED 2023 appeals to many points. We can cite its very successful design, both thin and light, its magnificent OLED screen, its excellent autonomy, and its controlled power. But it is not flawless. It does indeed include some mistakes that could have been avoided. Its performance and autonomy decreased slightly compared to the 2022 version. The latter was configured under AMD, a more efficient processor than the 13th-generation Intel.

The battery’s battery capacity also increased to 63 Wh from 67 Wh the previous year. In addition, it loses the fingerprint reader and the numeric keypad. Despite these absences, the 2023 Zenbook S 13 remains one of the best ultrabooks on the market. It’s an excellent portable PC that you can use with peace of mind when you’re on the move. It has been available since April 2023 on the official Asus website and from partner resellers for a price of 1799 euros.