Acer Announces New Predator and Nitro Gaming Laptops with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 Processors at CES 2026
Acer has announced its latest range of gaming laptops at CES 2026, featuring the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors paired with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs. The lineup includes the premium Predator Helios Neo 16S AI alongside two new additions to the Nitro V AI series, targeting different segments of the gaming laptop market.
The announcement also includes two new gaming peripherals: the Predator Galea 570 headset and Predator Cestus 530 mouse.
Predator Helios Neo 16S AI
The flagship of this announcement is the Predator Helios Neo 16S AI (PHN16S-I51), which sits at the top of the new lineup. This laptop can be configured with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 386H and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, all housed within a metal chassis measuring 18.9 mm thin.
The display is a 16-inch WQXGA OLED panel, which should deliver the deep blacks and vibrant colours that OLED technology is known for. Acer states the panel supports HDR imaging, which pairs well with the capabilities of the RTX 50 Series graphics.
Thermal Management and Memory
Acer has equipped the Helios Neo 16S AI with its 5th generation AeroBlade 3D fan technology alongside liquid metal thermal grease to manage heat dissipation. Given the powerful components inside a relatively slim chassis, effective cooling will be essential for sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
On the memory front, the laptop supports up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM running at 6400MT/s, with storage options extending to 2 TB of PCIe solid-state storage.
Connectivity and Features
The laptop includes an FHD IR webcam for video calls and streaming, with audio handled by speakers featuring DTS:X Ultra processing. Connectivity options include Intel Killer DoubleShot Pro Wi-Fi 6E and Thunderbolt 4, providing flexibility for external displays and peripherals.
As a Copilot+ PC running Windows 11, the device includes an NPU capable of over 45 AI TOPS (trillion operations per second) for on-device AI processing. This enables features such as Live Captions for real-time translations and various AI-assisted tools through Acer’s Intelligence Space software suite.
Acer Nitro V 16 AI
The Nitro V 16 AI (ANV16-I51) occupies the mid-range position in this announcement, targeting gamers who want solid performance without the premium price tag of the Predator series.
This model can be equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 355 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU. Memory support tops out at 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, half that of its Predator sibling, with storage options matching the 2 TB SSD maximum.
The laptop includes DTS:X Ultra audio processing and an FHD IR webcam with a physical camera shutter for privacy. Acer describes the design as streamlined, though specific chassis dimensions were not provided in the announcement.
Acer Nitro V 16S AI
The Nitro V 16S AI (ANV16S-I51) is positioned as the portable option in the lineup, measuring less than 17.9 mm thick. It shares the same processor and GPU options as the standard Nitro V 16 AI, with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 355 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU.
Acer quotes 798 AI TOPS for this configuration, though this figure represents the combined AI processing capability across the CPU, GPU, and NPU rather than the NPU alone.
The display is a 16-inch WUXGA panel, which is a step down from the WQXGA resolution offered on the Predator model. Other features include a four-zone RGB keyboard, Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and an FHD IR webcam with camera shutter.
Acer positions this model as suitable for casual gamers or those who prioritise portability, describing it as offering modern features at an accessible price point. However, specific pricing was not included in the announcement.
NVIDIA RTX 50 Series Laptop GPUs
All three laptops feature NVIDIA’s new GeForce RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs based on the Blackwell architecture. These GPUs support DLSS 4, NVIDIA’s latest deep learning super sampling technology, which uses AI to upscale lower resolution images in real time, potentially improving frame rates while maintaining visual quality.
The RTX 50 Series also brings enhanced ray tracing capabilities and increased AI processing power compared to the previous generation. However, specific performance benchmarks for these laptop variants were not provided in the announcement.
Predator Galea 570 Gaming Headset
Alongside the laptops, Acer announced the Predator Galea 570 gaming headset. The headset uses 50 mm drivers and includes environmental noise cancellation technology for the microphone, which should help with voice clarity during online gaming or video calls.
The Galea 570 offers three connectivity options: 2.4 GHz wireless via a USB-A/C dongle, Bluetooth 5.4, or wired connection. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours when using the wireless modes.
The microphone setup includes both a detachable omnidirectional boom mic and a built-in microphone, with settings adjustable through Acer’s Predator QuarterMaster software.
Predator Cestus 530 Gaming Mouse
The Predator Cestus 530 mouse features a PixArt PAW3395 sensor with specifications including 26,000 DPI sensitivity, 650 IPS tracking speed, and an 8,000 Hz polling rate. These figures place it among the higher-specification gaming mice available.
Like the headset, the Cestus 530 supports triple connectivity modes: wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz wireless. Acer rates the switches for 80 million clicks, and customisation options are available through the QuarterMaster application.
Availability and Pricing
The Predator Helios Neo 16S AI will arrive in EMEA during Q2 2026, with North American availability following in Q3 2026. Australian customers can expect the laptop in Q1 2026.
The Acer Nitro V 16 AI is scheduled for Q2 2026 across North America, EMEA, and Australia. The slimmer Nitro V 16S AI will be available in EMEA during Q2 2026, with North American availability in Q3 2026.
Specific pricing for the laptops was not announced, with Acer stating that exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region.
The Predator Galea 570 headset will be available in Q1 2026, priced from 149 USD in North America and 149 EUR in EMEA. The Predator Cestus 530 mouse launches in Q1 2026 at 109 USD in North America and 99 EUR in EMEA.
UK pricing has not yet been confirmed for any of the products announced.
