ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) vs MSI Katana 15 HX B14W
68.2Performance45.1
78.4Display33.9
42.9Battery66.7
20Portability34
9 spec wins — ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)2 spec wins — MSI Katana 15 HX B14W
InnoReviews verdict
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) wins this laptop face-off, 56.5 to 45.1, pulling ahead mainly in display (+45) and performance (+23). MSI Katana 15 HX B14W still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
- Stronger performance score: 68 vs 45
- Stronger display score: 78 vs 34
- 367% higher Peak brightness: 1,200 nits vs 257 nits
- 300% higher storage: 2,048 GB vs 512 GB
- 100% higher RAM: 32 GB vs 16 GB
Reasons to pick the MSI Katana 15 HX B14W
- Stronger battery score: 67 vs 43
- Stronger portability score: 34 vs 20
- 27% lower weight: 2.4 kg vs 3.3 kg
- 20% lower thickness: 25.5 mm vs 32 mm
- Lower launch price: $999 vs $4,299
Display
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 18 ″+15% | 15.6 ″ |
| Panel type | Mini-LED (ROG Nebula HDR) | IPS |
| Resolution | 2560x1600 | 1920x1080 |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz+67% | 144 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits+367% | 257 nits |
Performance
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | Intel Core i7-14650HX |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop |
| RAM | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM type | DDR5-5600 (2x SO-DIMM) | DDR5-5600 (2x SO-DIMM) |
| Storage | 2,048 GB+300% | 512 GB |
| Storage type | PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2 slots) | PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
Benchmarks
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,100+11%Top 16% | 2,786Top 45% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,000+61%Top 9% | 13,048Bottom 47% |
Battery
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 90 Wh+20% | 75 Wh |
| Web browsing endurance | 5 h | — |
| Charging | 380 W+58% | 240 W |
Design
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.3 kg | 2.4 kg+27% |
| Thickness | 32 mm | 25.5 mm+20% |
| Material | Aluminum lid + polycarbonate | Plastic |
Connectivity
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | Thunderbolt 5, USB-C 3.2 (DP, 100W PD), 3x USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G Ethernet, 3.5mm | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort, PD 3.0), HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm combo jack |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 720p HD |
| Biometrics | IR face (Windows Hello) | None |
Software
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) | MSI Katana 15 HX B14W |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home |
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