Lenovo has expanded the configuration options for its 16-inch Legion Pro 5i 16IAX10 gaming laptop, introducing new graphics and processor choices that sharpen its position in the mid-to-high-end mobile segment. The update adds a 12 GB variant of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, while also bringing Intel’s latest Arrow Lake HX refresh processors to the platform.
A welcome VRAM bump
The move aligns the Intel-based Legion Pro 5i with its AMD-powered sibling, the Legion Pro 5 16AFR10, which recently adopted the same 12 GB RTX 5070. Lenovo pairs this GPU option with existing hardware fundamentals, including an 80 Wh battery and a 240 Hz OLED display. By offering 4 GB of additional video memory over the 8 GB RTX 5070 configuration, the new SKU aims to handle more demanding texture workloads, though it remains deliberately positioned below the RTX 5070 Ti variant. Compared to the flagship GPU option found in the older Legion Pro 5i 16IAX10H, the 12 GB RTX 5070 continues to operate with fewer CUDA cores and a narrower memory bus, meaning the 2024 high-end configuration retains a performance advantage in raw throughput.
Arrow Lake HX processors arrive
Processor choices see a more substantial shift. Lenovo has introduced the Intel Core Ultra 7 251HX and Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, both part of the Arrow Lake HX refresh lineup. Based on internal testing data, these chips are expected to deliver a roughly 7% improvement in CPU performance over systems built around the Core Ultra 9 275HX. The new processors will be configurable with both the GeForce RTX 5060 8 GB and the GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB, though the 12 GB GPU is exclusively tied to the Arrow Lake HX refresh models. The AMD-based Legion Pro 5, by contrast, did not gain a CPU update alongside its GPU shift, making the Intel platform the clear beneficiary of a broader performance uplift in this cycle.
Availability and market outlook
Lenovo’s PSREF documentation confirms that a full global release is planned, although official pricing and regional availability dates have not yet been announced. With no other major hardware changes disclosed, the refreshed Legion Pro 5i effectively consolidates its appeal for buyers seeking strong QHD gaming performance and a high-refresh OLED panel, without stepping up to the pricier RTX 5070 Ti tier. The combination of extra VRAM and Arrow Lake HX CPUs creates a well-defined middle ground in Lenovo’s 16-inch gaming portfolio, awaiting only final pricing to determine its competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market.
Source: psref.lenovo.com