HP Omen Max 16 Review: Power unleashed, literally! Feat. Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX + RTX 5080

With a fresh new design, HP has unveiled its latest gaming laptop yet – the Omen Max 16. Just like always, it still remains the most expensive gaming laptop, priced at ₹309,999, in HP’s stable, only this time around, HP is really confident that they’re absolutely nailing the value quotient. Moreover, the laptop has even taken design inspirations from some of its other laptops like the HP Omen Transcend 14 launched last year.

In terms of internals too, things are looking spicy. Subtle foreshadowing aside, the reason I say that is because the Omen Max 16 features a vapor chamber, replacing the good ol’ traditional heat sink. Now, HP alone isn’t doing this; ASUS recently also introduced its ROG Strix and ROG Strix Scar series with the vapor chamber cooling method. But regardless of who does it, the tech is useful both in terms of longevity, as it essentially lasts a lifetime.

And as the benchmarks start rolling in, you’ll begin to wonder exactly how powerful the HP Omen Max 16 is. It’s delivering near-desktop-level performance, comparable to yesteryear’s MSI Titan laptops, which truly were desktop replacements, while this remains a mere 16-inch laptop. Albeit one that’s a bit heavy, both in terms of weight and on the pocket, thanks to a retail price of ₹3,09,999. But the question remains, is the HP Omen Max 16 worth it?

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HP Omen Max 16 Review: Specifications

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX (up to 5.4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 36 MB L3 cache, 24 cores, 24 threads)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 (16 GB)
Memory: 32 GB DDR5-5600 MT/s (2 x 16 GB)
Display: 16″ WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 60-240 Hz, 3 ms response time, IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare,
Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen5 NVMe Performance M.2 SSD
Battery: 6-cell,83 WhLi-ionpolymer

HP Omen Max 16 Review: Design, Build Quality, Keyboard And I/O

From the moment I unboxed the HP Omen Max 16, I was in awe of its premium feel. The aluminium-magnesium alloy chassis, available in Shadow Black or Ceramic White, looks and feels top-tier. It manages to walk the line perfectly between a bold gaming aesthetic and a clean, professional look. I especially liked the customizable per-key RGB lighting, which I tweaked easily using the OMEN Gaming Hub.

However, the chassis’ finish is a fingerprint magnet and does leave noticeable smudges whenever you try to touch or grab the laptop. But one good thing is that you can easily maintain a good grip on the laptop because of its texture. Also, HP isn’t offering the Ceramic White variant in India, which is a shame, because it would’ve been a looker, a big, bold, white laptop, which is rarely seen out in the wild. It also would’ve attracted far fewer fingerprints.

In terms of weight, at just under 6 pounds (2.68 kg), it’s not the lightest laptop around, but I found it surprisingly portable for a 16-inch gaming machine. Please note that your mileage will vary, as my job literally involves lugging around multiple gaming laptops every day from one place to another. The build is solid, I can open the lid with one hand, which is always a nice touch. That said, I do notice a bit of give in the lid and hinges, which makes me wonder about long-term durability.

The keyboard is definitely one of the highlights. The frameless layout and light bar give it that high-end gaming vibe. While I appreciated the aesthetic and enjoyed using it for both gaming and work, I did find the keys a bit mushy at times, and there’s some slight flex if you press down hard. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of if you’re into long gaming sessions or heavy typing.

One of my favourite things about the Omen Max 16 is the thoughtful port placement. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Right Side: A single USB-A port
• Left Side: Two USB-C ports and a standard headphone jack.
• Rear: HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, another USB-A, and the charging connector.

Also, the single USB-A port sits at the far end near the hinge on the right side, which keeps the entire right side clutter-free. This layout keeps my desk clean and my setup streamlined, whether I’m gaming or multitasking for work. The touchpad, on the other hand, feels a little less premium for this price. It’s absolutely fine in terms of size, but I really wish HP offered a haptic touchpad instead of a mechanical one.

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HP Omen Max 16 Review: Display & Speaker Performance

So, globally, HP offers three types of displays: one with an FHD+ IPS panel, a QHD+ IPS panel, and one with an OLED panel. In India, HP is only offering the mid-range display on the HP Omen Max 16, which comes equipped with a 16-inch IPS panel boasting a 2560 × 1600 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. In my testing I found that display has 586 nits of peak brightness. Combine that with its matte coating and you get a display which is easily usable in an outside environment like a coffee shop.

In terms of sRGB coverage as well, the Omen Max 16’s display achieves 100% coverage, making it great for designers, especially those who create content for the web and online media. However, the pristine IPS panel does take a hit in terms of DCI-P3 colour space coverage which is only around 80% DCI-P3. The display also offers a variable refresh rate from 60Hz to 240Hz, which is great as it enables the Dynamic Refresh Rate option in Windows, a really helpful feature for conserving battery life.

The HP Omen Max 16 features dual HyperX-tuned speakers, DTS:X Ultra spatial audio, and HP Audio Boost 2.0, all aiming to deliver immersive, high-quality sound. In reality, though, real-world feedback is mixed. One major complaint I have with the speaker system is the volume—when the laptop fans spin at full speed, they noticeably drown out the audio.

In terms of overall quality, the speakers sound similar to those on most gaming laptops, lacking both bass and a wide soundstage. So if you’re looking for better audio, it’s worth investing in external speakers or a dedicated audio system.

HP Omen Max 16 Review: Benchmark & Performance

Performance is one area where the HP Omen Max 16 truly stands worthy of the title “Max,” mainly because the new HP Omen Centre, and especially the new “Unleashed” mode, gives you free rein to turn the dial to eleven and get full performance out of your laptop. But last time I checked, physics is still a thing, and so sometimes, as we’ll see later in the review, going all out isn’t always the best approach when it comes to performance.

In the standalone Cinebench R23 test, the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX scores 33,549 in the multicore and 2,142 in the single-core test. In comparison, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16, powered by the same processor, scores 36,543 in multicore and 2,240 in single-core tests. What’s really interesting here is that, compared to the ROG Strix Scar 16, the average CPU temperature in the Omen Max 16 is around 1–2 degrees higher, sitting at approximately 97°C.

However, when we switch to performance mode on both laptops, the HP Omen Max 16 and the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 both hover around 80 degrees, with much more bearable fan noise as well. This test highlights that the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX can be unleashed at full power, but even at a lower TDP, its efficiency remains impressive. And in the context of gaming laptops, this is where efficiency truly comes into play.

For instance, and let’s be honest, you’re not going to get 10+ hours of battery life on a gaming laptop. But what you will get is more CPU performance even at a lower power draw, along with manageable temperatures, so you can sustain that performance indefinitely. That’s where the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX shines—but if you’re not careful and don’t rein in its power, it can get pretty hot, pretty quickly.

As for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, it performed very well, with some caveats, in our Digit Ultimate Gaming Test, delivering excellent results in over 10 games at both 1200p and 1600p resolutions. Most notably, it scored around 300 FPS in Civilization VI, 217 FPS in Dirt 5, and 214 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Furthermore, at 1600p, the laptop scored 283 FPS in Civilization VI, 209 FPS in Dirt 5, and 191 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Similarly, in terms of 3D benchmarks like TimeSpy and Fire Strike, the HP Omen Max 16 lags slightly behind the ROG Strix Scar 16, scoring 19,770 in TimeSpy and 36,158 in Fire Strike. Meanwhile, the ROG Strix Scar 16 scores 20,528 and 38,130, respectively. Both these tests CPU and GPU performance together, so there is a possibility that the slightly higher CPU temps on the HP Omen Max 16 are dulling its score by a small margin.

However, when we compare the pricing of both laptops, the HP Omen Max 16 is easily around ₹79,000 cheaper than the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 for the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5080 variant. One notable specification advantage the Strix Scar 16 has is the Mini-LED display and an additional 1TB of storage, which comes by default. However, the extra storage is something you can easily add later for around ₹10,000.

HP Omen Max 16 Review: Conclusion

The HP Omen Max 16 is a bold step forward for HP’s gaming lineup, delivering desktop-level performance in a sleek, redesigned chassis. With standout specs like the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5080 GPU, and a vapor chamber cooling system, it’s clear HP isn’t just playing catch-up, they’re setting a new bar for value in the high-end gaming segment. While it does fall slightly behind rivals like the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 in benchmarks, the nearly ₹79,000 lower price tag makes the Omen Max 16 a compelling choice for gamers.

Yes, it has some minor shortcomings like average speakers, a slightly mushy keyboard, and limited display options in India, but those feel like small trade-offs when you consider the overall package. For gamers and creators seeking power, style, and relatively better value, the Omen Max 16 is easily HP’s best gaming laptop to date.

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