Short version: the TUF Gaming F15 we covered has been replaced by 16-inch TUF models. The TUF Gaming F16 (2025) is the newest one you can easily buy on Amazon, with RTX 50-series graphics and a 165Hz 16-inch screen. ASUS has also listed a TUF Gaming 16 (2026). Buy an F16 if you want a durable budget gaming laptop now. Keep your F15 if it still runs your games, since the jump matters most for new releases.
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ASUS’s TUF line is the gaming laptop for people who want real graphics power without paying for RGB-covered flagship looks. It’s built tough (hence the name) and usually priced below ROG models. Here’s how the line has changed since the F15, based on ASUS’s spec pages (we didn’t test them hands-on). Note: an older version of this post showed a TUF Dash 15 box. That’s fixed.
TUF Gaming F15 vs F16 vs TUF Gaming 16: what changed
| Spec | TUF Gaming F15 (2022) | TUF Gaming F16 (2025) | TUF Gaming 16 (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-12700H | Intel Core i5-13450HX to Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core i5-14450HX / i7-14650HX or AMD Ryzen 7 |
| Graphics | RTX 3050 / 3050 Ti / 3060 | RTX 5050 / 5060 / 5070, 8GB GDDR7, up to 115W | RTX 5050 / 5060 / 5070, 8GB GDDR7, 85W |
| Screen | 15.6-inch FHD, 144Hz (300Hz option) | 16-inch FHD+ 144/165Hz or 2.5K 165Hz | 16-inch FHD+ 144Hz or 2.5K 165Hz (300Hz options) |
| Battery | 56 or 90Wh | 70 or 90Wh | 63Wh |
| Memory | Not compared | DDR5, up to 64GB | DDR5-5600, up to 64GB |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 2.2 kg | 2.2 kg |
Specs from ASUS TUF F15 (2022) specs, ASUS TUF F16 (2025) specs, ASUS TUF Gaming 16 (2026) specs. Checked October 2026.
What matters in real use
- RTX 50-series is the big jump. Going from an RTX 3050 to an RTX 5060 is the difference between “lower the settings” and “crank it up” in newer games.
- 16 inches, same weight. The bigger 16:10 screen shows more of the game and your Discord without adding weight.
- The 2026 model isn’t a clear win. On ASUS’s spec pages it has a smaller 63Wh battery and a lower graphics power limit than the F16 (2025). Compare exact configs before you buy.
- Configs vary a lot. TUF laptops come in many CPU, GPU and RAM combos. Check the exact model number in the listing.
Who should buy which
- Buy the TUF Gaming F16 (2025) with an RTX 5060 if you want strong 1080p and 1200p gaming on a budget.
- Look at the TUF Gaming 16 (2026) if you find a good config, but read the battery and GPU power specs first.
- Keep your F15 if your games still run well. Add a cooling pad and a good headset before you replace a working laptop.
Gift it to: a high schooler or college student who games, or the PC gamer in your family who doesn’t want a desk-bound tower.
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