Asus ZenBook S14 (2026) Review: Stunning OLED, Disappointing iGPU Performance

The Asus Zenbook A14 UX3704NA leads subnotebook storage performance with a peak read speed of 10,313.9 MB/s, according to recent benchmark data. This performance marks a significant leap over the subnotebook class average, which ranges from 694 to 13,544 MB/s over the last two years.

SSD Performance Divergence in 14-Inch Subnotebooks

Storage speeds in the current subnotebook market show extreme variance. The Asus Zenbook A14 UX3704NA dominates high-end read benchmarks at 10,313.9 MB/s. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 14 940XHA, utilizing the Samsung PM9C1 MZVL8512HELU, recorded a significantly lower 5,008 MB/s in the same category.

SSD Performance Divergence in 14-Inch Subnotebooks

Did you know? The Asus Zenbook A14’s peak performance is nearly double that of the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 14 in specific high-speed read tests, illustrating the massive range of “Gen4” performance in modern laptops.

Comparative Analysis: Top Performers vs. Class Averages

The Honor MagicBook Pro 14 2026, equipped with the YMTC PC411-1TB, shows strong versatility, hitting 4,761 MB/s in mid-range tests and 6,927 MB/s in high-end reads.

Device Drive Model Peak Read Speed
Asus Zenbook A14 Micron 2600 1TB 10,313.9 MB/s
Honor MagicBook Pro 14 YMTC PC411-1TB 6,927 MB/s
Asus ZenBook S14 Samsung PM9C1b MZVL81T0HFLB-00BTW 7,018 MB/s

The Impact of Drive Selection on Real-World Use

The choice of SSD manufacturer—ranging from SK hynix and Micron to Samsung and YMTC—creates distinct performance profiles. For instance, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Ultra 14IPH11 uses the SK hynix PVC10, which delivered 6,602 MB/s in high-end reads, placing it slightly below the subnotebook class average.

Why you should (not) buy this $2000 laptop? – Zenbook S14 2026 Review

Lower-performing drives, such as the one found in the Dell XPS 14 Core Ultra 7 (SDFPMSL-512G-1101), recorded read speeds as low as 1,981 MB/s in certain tests. This 17% drop below the average suggests a focus on power efficiency or a different tier of NAND flash.

Pro Tip: When shopping for a subnotebook, don’t rely solely on the “PCIe 4.0” label.

Future Trends: The Push Toward 10GB/s+ Storage

Frequently Asked Questions

Which laptop has the fastest SSD read speed in this group?
The Asus Zenbook A14 UX3704NA leads with a maximum read speed of 10,313.9 MB/s.

How does the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 14 perform?
It records a peak read speed of 5,008 MB/s, which is significantly lower than the top-tier Asus and Honor models.

What is the average read speed for subnotebooks?
The class average for high-end reads over the last two years ranges from 694 to 13,544 MB/s, according to the benchmark data.

Do you prioritize raw speed or battery efficiency when choosing a laptop? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more hardware deep-dives.

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