The Lenovo Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop is now available at Currys for £599, down from around £899—a £300 saving that makes this Copilot+ AI PC genuinely competitive at budget-tier pricing. The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition packs an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a vibrant 14-inch OLED display that justifies the Aura Edition branding.
Key Takeaways
- Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop drops to £599 at Currys—33% discount on original ~£899 price
- Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor with Copilot+ AI PC certification and integrated Arc graphics
- 14-inch OLED display with 1 million:1 contrast ratio, 100% DCI-P3 color, Dolby Vision support
- 34-hour battery life claimed, 1.19 kg aluminum chassis, four stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Windows Hello facial recognition, Smart Share phone integration for Android and iOS
Why the Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop stands out at this price
At £599, this Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop undercuts what you’d normally pay for an entry-level AI-capable ultrabook. The Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition isn’t a budget compromise—it’s a full-fat Copilot+ machine with the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor running at up to 4.5 GHz Turbo Boost, backed by integrated Intel Arc 130V graphics. That’s enough grunt for everyday productivity, light creative work, and AI-assisted tasks without throttling.
The real selling point is the OLED display. Lenovo’s 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED panel delivers 1 million:1 contrast, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Dolby Vision certification. Peak brightness hits 400–600 nits depending on content, and the glare-resistant coating means you’re not squinting outdoors. For a machine at this price, OLED is rare—most budget laptops still ship with LCD panels that look flat by comparison.
Battery and build quality matter here
Lenovo claims up to 34 hours of battery life on a full charge, though real-world results vary based on display brightness and workload. The aluminum chassis weighs just 1.19 kg, making it genuinely portable without feeling fragile. Four stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide decent sound for video calls and media—not audiophile-grade, but better than the tinny mono speakers you’d find on cheaper machines.
The 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB SSD configuration hits the sweet spot for multitasking and app performance. You’re not storage-constrained for most users’ needs, and the fast RAM keeps Windows 11 responsive even under load. The infrared 5MP camera with Windows Hello facial recognition adds a layer of security without requiring a fingerprint sensor.
How this compares to other Aura Edition options
Lenovo’s broader Aura Edition lineup includes the 15-inch Yoga Slim 7i with up to Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD—but that version costs considerably more. The 14-inch Core Ultra 5 model at Currys is the entry point into the Aura ecosystem, sacrificing the larger screen and higher-tier processor for a price that doesn’t require financing. If you need more power, you’re paying a premium; if you need portability and OLED at a reasonable cost, this is the sweet spot.
Standard Intel Core Ultra 5 laptops without OLED displays typically cost £400–£500, so the £99 premium for the OLED screen here is genuinely good value, especially given the color accuracy and contrast improvements.
Should you buy the Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop at £599?
Yes, if you prioritize display quality, portability, and AI features without overspending. This isn’t a gaming machine or a video editing workstation—the integrated Arc graphics and 8-core processor are solid but not exceptional for heavy creative work. It excels at document editing, web browsing, video conferencing, and running AI-assisted productivity tools. The OLED display alone justifies the price for anyone who spends eight hours a day staring at a screen.
The catch: this is a Currys deal, which means availability may vary by region and stock could deplete quickly on a 33% discount [title]. Check Currys’ website to confirm in-stock status before committing. Lenovo’s own store and Newegg also carry Aura Edition models, but at higher prices.
Is the Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop good for gaming?
The Intel Arc 130V integrated graphics handles esports titles and older AAA games at lower settings, but this is not a gaming laptop. Expect 30–60 fps in demanding games at 1080p low settings. If gaming is your priority, a discrete GPU machine will serve you better, though you’ll pay more.
How much battery life does the Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop actually get?
Lenovo claims up to 34 hours on a full charge, but this figure assumes light productivity use and low screen brightness. Real-world battery life depends on how bright you run the OLED display, which apps you’re using, and whether you’re on battery saver mode. Expect 12–18 hours of practical mixed use at comfortable brightness levels.
Does the Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop support Windows 11 Pro?
The Currys configuration ships with Windows 11 Home, though some Aura Edition variants include Pro. If you need Pro features like BitLocker or Group Policy, check the exact SKU at Currys or consider upgrading separately—the license cost is roughly £100.
At £599, the Lenovo Core Ultra 5 OLED laptop represents rare value in the Copilot+ AI PC space. You’re getting a premium OLED display, solid performance, and AI integration without the £1,000+ price tag that usually comes attached to Aura Edition machines. The deal won’t last forever—33% discounts on new hardware rarely do—so if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to upgrade, Currys has just handed you one.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
