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MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop vs GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop

The GIGABYTE Gaming A16 is the better pick for most people: a 16:10 165Hz screen, a newer RTX 5060 GPU in the configurations sold, and a larger battery with fast charging. The MSI Katana 15 wins on storage, with a 1TB SSD against the A16's 512GB base drive, and its 144Hz panel is fine for esports. Both use the same Core i7-13620H and weigh about the same, so the choice comes down to screen, graphics and battery versus storage.

  • Choose the MSI Katana 15 if you want a 1TB SSD out of the box and a plain 15.6-inch 1080p panel is enough for the games you play.
  • Choose the GIGABYTE Gaming A16 if you want a taller 16:10 165Hz screen, a newer GPU and much longer battery life for school or work between games.

Prices

  • MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop: $999.00 at Walmart (checked today)
  • GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop: $615.99 at CTT Home & Culinary (last seen Nov 3)
  • Difference: the GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop is $383.01 cheaper than the MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop at the latest prices (Nov 3 and Nov 9)
MSI
MSI Katana 15.6 inch 144Hz Gaming Laptop (2024)

MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop

MSI Katana 15.6 inch 144Hz Gaming Laptop (2024)

4.4(570 ratings)
$999.00at WalmartVerified
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • 1TB SSD leaves room for a large game library
  • Wired LAN port for stable online play
  • 4-zone RGB keyboard with anti-ghost keys
  • RAM expandable to 64GB
Cons
  • RTX 4050 is the weaker GPU of the two
  • 16:9 1080p screen is shorter and slower than the A16's
  • Small 53.5Wh battery
  • 720p webcam
GIGABYTE
GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop

GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop

4.4(122 ratings)
$615.99at CTT Home & CulinaryObserved Nov 3, 2026, 4:27 AM
See all prices and details
Visit CTT Home & Culinary
Pros
  • Taller 16:10 165Hz screen suits games and documents
  • RTX 5060 is a step up in graphics
  • Long battery life with fast charging
  • 180-degree hinge and slim chassis
Cons
  • 512GB base SSD fills quickly with modern games
  • No wired LAN port listed
  • Some listings show 16GB RAM, others 32GB, so check the exact model

What separates them

MSI Katana 15 Gaming LaptopGIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop
Screen15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS at 144Hz, 16:916-inch 1920x1200 IPS at 165Hz, 16:10
GraphicsGeForce RTX 4050 6GBGeForce RTX 5060 in the configurations sold
Storage1TB NVMe SSD512GB SSD base, 1TB listed on some listings
Memory16GB DDR5, expandable to 64GB16GB DDR5 base, 32GB on some configurations
Battery53.5Wh, no fast-charge claimLarger lithium-polymer pack, up to 14 hours claimed, 50% in 30 minutes
Weight and chassis4.96 lbs, 1.0 inch thick, standard hinge4.9 lbs, 19.45mm chassis, 180-degree hinge
Keyboard4-zone RGB, 99 keys, anti-ghostGolden Curve keyboard with larger key caps, backlit
PortsUSB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB-A, HDMI, RJ45 LAN, headphone jackUSB-A, USB-C, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, no RJ45 listed

Price history

$1,299.99$615.99
Nov 3Nov 9
  • MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop: lowest $999.00 on Nov 7 at Walmart; $999.00 on Nov 9.
  • GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop: lowest $615.99 on Nov 3 at CTT Home & Culinary; $1,019.49 on Nov 9.

Prices at every store

MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $999.00Free shippingVerified
    Visit Walmart
  • Newegg.comNew

    In stockSold by DemProductSales

    $1,599.00Free shippingObserved Nov 7, 2026, 4:59 PM
    Visit Newegg.com
  • WalmartNew

    Out of stock

    $999.00Free shippingObserved Nov 7, 2026, 4:59 PM
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $1,029.99Free shippingObserved at 3:00 PM
    Visit Best Buy
  • CTT Home & CulinaryNew

    Availability unknown

    $615.99Observed Nov 3, 2026, 4:27 AM
    Visit CTT Home & Culinary
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,019.49Free shippingObserved at 1:48 PM
    Visit Amazon
  • Big Apple BuddyNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,029.99Observed Nov 3, 2026, 4:27 AM
    Visit Big Apple Buddy

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 7 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecMSI Katana 15 Gaming LaptopGIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop
colorBlackBlack
ProcessorIntel® Core™ i7-13620HIntel Core i7
Weight4.96 lbs4.9 lb
Operating systemWindows 11 HomeWindows OS
Screen Resolution1920x1080 (Full HD)1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Dedicated Graphic CardYesYes
Refresh Rate144Hz165Hz
SSD Size1 TB1 TB
Backlit KeyboardYestrue
Processor Model13620HIntel 13th Generation Core i7
Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1200
Processor BrandIntel CPUIntel CPU
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMSI Katana 15 Gaming LaptopGIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop
Graphics ProcessorNVIDIA GPUNVIDIA GPU
Drive TypeSolid State DriveSolid State Drive
LanguageEnglish / North AmericaEnglish / North America
Available PortsHDMIUSB-A, USB-C, HDMI
Drive Capacity1 TB drive512 GB drive
Screen Size15.6 inches16 inches
Installed Memory16 GB RAM16 GB RAM
Graphics cardNVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB Laptop GPU—
Screen15.6" 144Hz FHD Thin Bezel IPS—

What reviewers say

MSI Katana 15 Gaming Laptop

  • 4.4 / 5570 ratings

With 4.4 out of 5 from 570 ratings, owners largely see the Katana 15 as solid value for 1080p gaming. Praise centers on performance for the price, the 144Hz screen and the storage. Complaints tend to be about battery life, fan noise and the plastic build.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the i7 and RTX 4050 pair handles 1080p gaming and multitasking well for the money.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 144Hz panel is called smooth and bright enough for indoor gaming.
  • BatteryCriticisedReviewers report only a few hours of light use and very short gaming runtime unplugged.
  • NoiseCriticisedFans ramp up audibly during games and heavy loads.

GIGABYTE Gaming A16 Laptop

  • 4.4 / 5122 ratings

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 122 ratings, buyers generally like the screen, keyboard and performance for the price. Complaints center on configuration confusion and battery life under load.

What people mention
  • DisplayPraisedOwners like the smooth 165Hz 16:10 panel and its slim bezels.
  • PerformancePraisedThe i7 and RTX GPU are seen as strong for the price.
  • KeyboardPraisedThe Golden Curve keyboard with larger key caps gets positive mentions.
  • BatteryCriticisedReal-world gaming drains the battery well before the claimed 14 hours.

Questions and answers

Which is better for gaming?
The GIGABYTE A16. Its RTX 5060 outruns the RTX 4050, and the 165Hz 16:10 panel is smoother and taller. The Katana 15 is still fine for 1080p esports titles.
Which has better battery life?
The GIGABYTE A16. It claims up to 14 hours and fast charging to 50% in 30 minutes. The Katana 15 has a small 53.5Wh battery and no fast-charge claim.
Is the step up to the A16 worth it?
For most buyers, yes. You get a newer GPU, a better screen and longer battery life. Step down to the Katana only if the 1TB SSD matters more than graphics.
Which is better for school or office work?
The A16. The 16:10 screen shows more of a document, the hinge folds flat, and the battery lasts through a day of classes. The Katana's 16:9 panel and small battery suit desk use better.
Do both have the same processor?
Yes. Both use the Intel Core i7-13620H with 10 cores. Performance differences come from the GPU, cooling and memory configuration.
Which lasts longer?
The A16 has the newer GPU and a larger battery, so it should stay useful longer for games. The Katana's 1TB SSD and upgradeable RAM help it age well for storage-heavy work.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best gaming laptops under $1,200
Memory
16GB DDR5
—
Storage1TB NVMe SSD—
Battery53.5Wh—
WirelessIntel Wi-Fi 6 AX201(2*2 ax)—
BluetoothBluetooth 5.2—
Keyboard4 zone RGB keyboard with Anti-Ghost key (99 Key)—
Display resolution1920 x 1080 pixels—
ConnectionsUSB-C, 1/8" Headphone Jack, HDMI, USB-A, RJ45 (…—
NFCNo—
Depth (")10.2—
Memory TypeDDR5—
Processor Cores10—
Convertible/HybridNo—
Mobile NetworksNo—
Height (")1.0—
Max. RAM Supported64 GB—
WebcamYes—
Processor Speed (GHz)1.8—
Webcam Resolution720p (HD Ready)—