The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED UX3402VA is a laptop that promises to balance style and substance, catering to professionals and creatives alike. With a sleek aluminium chassis, a dazzling 2.8K OLED touchscreen, and the power of Intel’s 13th Gen i5 processor, it certainly makes a strong first impression. But how does it fare in day-to-day usage? Let’s dive in and find out.
One of the standout features of this laptop is its premium all-aluminium construction, lending it a robust yet lightweight feel. At just 1.39 kg and 16.9 mm thick, it is effortlessly portable, making it an ideal choice for users who are constantly on the move. The Ponder Blue and Foggy Silver colour options add a touch of sophistication, with the former exuding professional elegance and the latter offering a more serene aesthetic.
Despite its slim profile, the Zenbook 14 OLED feels solid and well-engineered, a testament to ASUS’s commitment to quality. The hinge mechanism is smooth, and the lid can be opened with one hand—always a good sign of premium craftsmanship. However, the ultra-thin bezels around the screen can lead to accidental touches, which may be frustrating for those frequently moving their device around the house.
ASUS has equipped this model with a 2.8K OLED HDR NanoEdge touchscreen, and it is nothing short of breathtaking. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides extra screen real estate, making it particularly useful for productivity and creative work. Colors are ultra-vivid, thanks to 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut and PANTONE validation, ensuring professional-grade accuracy for designers and content creators.
With a 90Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers smooth visuals, enhancing everything from scrolling to video playback. The 400-nit brightness ensures usability even in well-lit environments, though fingerprints on the touchscreen can be an issue for those who prefer a pristine display. A minor downside is the lack of a dedicated toggle to disable the touchscreen quickly—an addition that would have been useful for those prone to accidental touches.
Packing a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13500H processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, the Zenbook 14 OLED delivers impressive performance across various tasks. Whether running multiple applications, handling demanding software like Photoshop and InDesign, or simply multitasking, the laptop remains responsive and quick.
For everyday tasks like browsing, video streaming, and document editing, the Zenbook performs effortlessly. Even when engaging in more intensive activities, such as light video editing or gaming, the Intel Iris Xe graphics hold their own. However, while it excels in performance, it does tend to get warm under sustained workloads. Ensuring proper ventilation is key to maintaining optimal performance.
One of the biggest drawbacks of this otherwise fantastic laptop is battery life. Despite housing a 75Wh battery, real-world usage falls short of expectations. During general tasks, it manages around 4 hours of battery life, which can be a significant limitation for those needing a device for full-day work or travel without constant charging access.
Charging, however, is relatively fast—achieving 60% charge in just 49 minutes. While this helps mitigate the battery life concerns, users who prioritise longevity may find this aspect disappointing.
Typing on the ErgoSense keyboard is a pleasure, with well-spaced keys that provide a satisfying tactile response. The backlit keyboard is particularly useful for working in low-light environments, and the fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button enhances security and convenience.
The ErgoSense touchpad is smooth and responsive, featuring a low-friction coating that ensures precise control. While the experience is largely positive, the lack of a quick toggle for disabling the touchscreen remains a missed opportunity.
Despite its slim form factor, the Zenbook 14 OLED includes a comprehensive array of ports, making it easy to connect peripherals without needing adapters.
This selection ensures that users have versatile connectivity options for various use cases, enhancing overall productivity.
Sound quality is often overlooked in laptops, but ASUS has gone the extra mile with its Dolby Atmos sound system. The speakers, powered by a smart amplifier, deliver clear and immersive audio, making video calls, movies, and music playback a delight. While the sound profile is rich, those looking for deeper bass might still prefer using external speakers or headphones.
✅ Stunning 2.8K OLED display with vivid colours and deep blacks
✅ Lightweight & premium build, perfect for portability
✅ Strong performance with Intel’s 13th Gen i5 and ample RAM
✅ Backlit keyboard with an intuitive typing experience
✅ Good port selection, including Thunderbolt 4
✅ Fast charging, reaching 60% in just 49 minutes
✅ Dolby Atmos audio for immersive sound quality
❌ Battery life is underwhelming, averaging only 4 hours
❌ Can get warm under heavy workloads
❌ Bezels are so thin that accidental screen touches can be an issue
❌ No quick toggle to disable the touchscreen
❌ Screen picks up fingerprints easily
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED UX3402VA strikes an impressive balance between aesthetics and performance. Its lightweight and stylish build, exceptional OLED display, and snappy performance make it a fantastic choice for professionals, students, and creatives.
However, battery life remains a key weakness, which could be a deal-breaker for those needing long-lasting endurance on a single charge. Additionally, while the touchscreen enhances usability, the ultra-thin bezels can lead to accidental inputs.
For those who prioritise a stunning display, strong performance, and a premium design, this laptop offers excellent value for money. However, if all-day battery life is a must-have, you may need to consider alternatives.
For the price, the Zenbook 14 OLED is among the best available—provided its battery life limitations aren’t a deal-breaker. If you need a high-performance laptop with a gorgeous screen and a lightweight design, this could be your perfect match.