Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (2025) Review: Still the Best Laptop for Programmers, Engineers & Creators?
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (2025) Review: Still the Best Laptop for Programmers, Engineers & Creators?
August 16, 2025
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Yoga Pro 9i: Best Laptop?
Summary
The 2025 model continues to be one of our top recommendations — but it also comes with some important upgrades and a few lingering flaws.
Table of contents:
Key Upgrades This Year
- Tandem OLED Display – Lenovo has introduced one of the first laptops with this technology, delivering an incredibly sharp, bright, and color-accurate panel. With its 3200x2000 resolution and over 1000 nits brightness, small text (like code) looks fantastic, and creative work pops.
- Performance Gains – Powered by Intel’s new Ultra 9 285H, the Pro 9i sees roughly 15–20% more performance than last year without any extra power draw.
But it’s not all good news. Battery life is still weak, the trackpad feels dated, and heavy tasks like gaming can drain the battery even when plugged in unless you buy Lenovo’s higher-wattage charger.
CPU Performance
The Ultra 9 285H chip provides excellent multi-core and single-core results compared to other laptops with the same CPU. It’s about 10–13% faster than last year’s 185H model, without drawing more power.
That said, Apple’s M4 Pro chips remain far more efficient, and higher-core Intel HX processors in laptops like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S outpace it at only slightly higher power draws. The Pro 9i also runs a bit warmer than competitors using the same chip.
GPU & Creative Workloads
On the GPU side, Lenovo is slightly conservative with wattage limits. In benchmarks like 3DMark Time Spy and Port Royal, the Pro 9i trails higher-wattage competitors such as the Strix G16. In real-world gaming, it averages around 60 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 2560x1600, but frame rates would dip further at native resolution.
For creators, results are stronger:
- Premiere Pro – Outperforms even some MacBook Pro M4 Max models.
- DaVinci Resolve – Apple pulls ahead due to Metal optimization, but the Pro 9i still holds its own.
It’s not the best gaming laptop, but it’s a capable creator machine.
Thermals & Power Behavior
- Performance vs. Adaptive Mode – Adaptive provides nearly the same CPU results with less fan noise, making it a great choice for developers.
- Battery Drain Issue – Under heavy combined CPU+GPU loads, the included 170W charger can’t keep up, and the battery drains slowly. Lenovo confirmed this is by design, offering a larger charger as an optional accessory. Still, most users won’t expect their battery to drain while plugged in.
Compared to rivals like the Asus Zephyrus G16, which ships with higher-wattage chargers, Lenovo’s decision feels like a misstep.
Battery Life
Unfortunately, endurance is still poor. Without an iGPU-only mode and with a power-hungry tandem OLED panel, the Pro 9i struggles to hit six hours in office and video playback tests. The MacBook Pro 16 lasts far longer, and even gaming laptops like the Aero X16 do better.
Build & Design
- Weight – 4.5 lbs, slightly lighter than last year but heavier than the Zephyrus G16 or Gigabyte Aero X16.
- Chassis – Sturdy aluminum build with minimal screen flex, though there’s some keyboard deck flex in the middle. The gray finish is boring but at least it resists fingerprints.
- Keyboard – Excellent key travel and tactile feel, though the white backlight has noticeable bleed.
- Trackpad – Still mechanical, and not nearly as accurate or smooth as the haptic ones found in MacBooks or Surface devices.
Display: A Game-Changer
The 16-inch Tandem OLED is easily the standout feature. Bright, sharp, buttery-smooth at 120Hz, and free from common OLED issues like PWM flicker. It’s a dream for coding, spreadsheets, and content creation.
Be aware that the Tandem OLED is only available on RTX 5060+ models. Lower configurations use a standard OLED capped at 500 nits.
Ports, Audio & Extras
- Ports – HDMI 2.1, dual Thunderbolt 4, two USB-A, UHS-I SD card reader, audio jack, and a proprietary charging port. No Thunderbolt 5 unfortunately.
- Speakers – Surprisingly full sound with real bass, though high-frequency clarity suffers slightly.
- Linux Support – Everything worked after disabling secure boot.
- Upgradeability – Extra full sized M.2 slot available, but RAM and Wi-Fi are soldered.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Yoga Pro 9i?
The Yoga Pro 9i (2025) is still one of the best all-rounder laptops for developers, engineers, and creators who spend most of their time plugged in and value display quality and keyboard comfort above all.
- Choose this if: You want an incredible display, excellent typing experience, and strong all-round performance.
- Skip this if: You need long battery life, top-tier gaming performance, or dislike mechanical trackpads.
Alternatives worth considering:
- Asus Zephyrus G16 – Safer bet for gamers, offering better battery life.
- Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S – Maximum performance for the price, but it gets hotter. It is also a bit heavier.
- Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro/Max) – Best battery life and efficiency, but more expensive and macOS-only.