Lenovo’s ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 was the last P15s. The ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 took its place, and the name tells you most of what changed: a 16-inch 16:10 screen, a 12th Gen Intel processor with up to three times the cores, a faster Nvidia graphics chip, and a body that weighs slightly less than the one it replaced.
This ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 vs P16s Gen 1 comparison goes through every change that matters, using Lenovo’s own Product Specifications Reference sheets for the Intel versions of the ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 and the ThinkPad P16s Gen 1. Both are slim mobile workstations, and both now sell mostly on the used and refurbished market, where this decision usually gets made.
Short answer: the P16s Gen 1 is better for almost everyone. The P15s Gen 2 still wins in two places, and we cover both below.
Quick Verdict
- Best overall: ThinkPad P16s Gen 1, for the 12-core processor, faster T550 graphics, PCIe 4.0 storage and 1080p webcam option.
- Best for colour-accurate work: ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 with the UHD screen, the only one of the two offering 100% Adobe RGB.
- Best for card readers and docking: ThinkPad P15s Gen 2, for the built-in microSD reader and optional side docking connector.
- Best for battery capacity: ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 with the 86Wh battery option.
- Worth upgrading from a P15s Gen 2? Only if you need more processor power or a taller screen. For office work, the P15s Gen 2 is still fine.
ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 vs P16s Gen 1 Specifications
Performance and Graphics
| ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 vs P16s Gen 1 Performance Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Specification | ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 | ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (Intel) |
| Launch Year | 2021 | 2022 |
| Processor | 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 to i7-1185G7 (4 cores, 8 threads) | 12th Gen Intel Core P-series i5-1240P to i7-1280P (12 to 14 cores, up to 20 threads) |
| Max Boost Speed | Up to 4.8 GHz | Up to 4.8 GHz |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia T500 (4GB GDDR6, 18W) | Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia T550 (4GB GDDR6, 30W) |
| Memory | DDR4-3200, one soldered module plus one SO-DIMM slot, up to 48GB | DDR4-3200, one soldered module plus one SO-DIMM slot, up to 48GB |
| Storage | One M.2 2280 slot, PCIe 3.0 x4, up to 2TB | One M.2 2280 slot, PCIe 4.0 x4, up to 2TB |
Display
| ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 vs P16s Gen 1 Display Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Specification | ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 | ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (Intel) |
| Display Size | 15.6 inch, 16:9 | 16 inch, 16:10 |
| Resolution Options | FHD 1920 x 1080 or UHD 3840 x 2160 | WUXGA 1920 x 1200 or WQXGA 2560 x 1600 |
| Brightness | 300 nits (FHD), 600 nits (UHD) | 300 to 500 nits (WUXGA), 400 nits (WQXGA) |
| Colour Coverage | 45% NTSC (FHD), 100% Adobe RGB (UHD) | 45% NTSC or 100% sRGB (WUXGA), 100% sRGB (WQXGA) |
| Touchscreen | Optional on FHD | Optional on WUXGA |
Battery and Connectivity
| ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 vs P16s Gen 1 Battery and Connectivity Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Specification | ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 | ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (Intel) |
| Battery | 57Wh | 52.5Wh or 86Wh |
| Charger | 45W or 65W USB-C | 65W, 100W or 135W USB-C |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.0, headphone/mic jack, optional Ethernet | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI (4K at 60Hz), Ethernet, headphone/mic jack |
| Card Reader | microSD | None |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6 (AX201) or Wi-Fi 6E (AX210) | Wi-Fi 6E (Intel AX211 or Qualcomm NFA725A) |
Design and Security
| ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 vs P16s Gen 1 Design Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Specification | ThinkPad P15s Gen 2 | ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 (Intel) |
| Webcam | 720p, optional IR, privacy shutter | 720p or 1080p, optional IR, privacy shutter |
| Fingerprint Reader | Palm rest | Power button |
| Dimensions | 365.8 x 248 x 19.1 mm | 362 x 255.5 x 20.5 mm (integrated graphics) |
| Weight | From 1.75 kg (aluminium models from 1.783 kg) | From 1.677 kg (black) or 1.683 kg (grey) |
| Colours | Black, Storm Grey | Black, Storm Grey |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H | MIL-STD-810H |
Processor and Performance
This is the biggest jump. The P15s Gen 2 uses 11th Gen Core i5 and i7 chips, all with four cores and eight threads. The P16s Gen 1 moves to 12th Gen P-series chips with a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The Core i5 versions have 12 cores and 16 threads. The top Core i7-1280P has 14 cores and 20 threads.
On paper, peak boost speeds barely change, with both topping out at 4.8 GHz. The extra performance comes from the core count, so you will notice it most when you export video, compile code, run virtual machines or keep dozens of browser tabs open next to a CAD viewer. However, light jobs such as opening a spreadsheet will not show the same gap.
Our take: if your work is heavier than email and documents, the P16s Gen 1 is the clear pick.
Graphics
Both laptops come with Intel Iris Xe graphics as standard, and both offer an Nvidia professional chip as an upgrade. The P15s Gen 2 has the T500 with 4GB of GDDR6 and an 18W power limit. The P16s Gen 1 has the T550, also 4GB of GDDR6, with a 30W limit.
In practice, a higher power limit lets the chip run faster for longer, so the T550 should handle CAD models, 3D viewports and GPU-assisted rendering better. Lenovo sells these as ISV-certified workstation parts for software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks. One catch applies to both: Iris Xe only works properly with dual-channel memory, so a model with a single memory module falls back to the slower Intel UHD graphics.
Our take: the T550 is a worthwhile step up for CAD users. If you only need Iris Xe, check that the laptop has two memory modules fitted.
Display
The P16s Gen 1 has a 16-inch screen in 16:10 shape, against the 15.6-inch 16:9 screen on the P15s Gen 2. In practice, the taller panel shows more of a document or spreadsheet without scrolling, and the base resolution rises from 1920 x 1080 to 1920 x 1200.
Higher-End Panels
Here the picture is mixed. The P15s Gen 2 offers a 4K UHD panel at 600 nits with 100% Adobe RGB coverage, Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR 400 and optional X-Rite calibration. The P16s Gen 1 tops out at a 2560 x 1600 WQXGA panel at 400 nits with 100% sRGB, Dolby Vision and Pantone factory calibration. Lenovo does not offer a 4K screen on the P16s Gen 1.
So for photo and print work that needs a wide gamut, the P15s Gen 2 UHD screen is the better panel. For most other users, the WQXGA screen is a good compromise, since it is sharper than Full HD and asks less of the battery than a 4K panel.
Entry-Level Panels
Avoid the base 45% NTSC screen on either laptop if you care about colour. The P16s Gen 1 gives you more choice here, because even its WUXGA range includes 100% sRGB panels at 400 and 500 nits. The P15s Gen 2 does not offer a Full HD panel with full sRGB coverage.
Our take: the P16s Gen 1 for general use, the P15s Gen 2 UHD for wide-gamut colour work.
Memory and Storage
Memory is identical. Both laptops use DDR4-3200 with one soldered module and one SO-DIMM slot, and both reach 48GB maximum (16GB soldered plus a 32GB stick). That means you can upgrade half the memory yourself on either laptop but not all of it.
However, storage differs in speed. The P16s Gen 1 has a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, while the P15s Gen 2 has a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. Both take one M.2 2280 drive up to 2TB, and neither has a second slot or RAID support. A PCIe 4.0 drive can move data much faster than a PCIe 3.0 drive in a compatible slot. You will notice it when copying large files, though everyday boot and app launch times feel much the same.
Our take: a draw on memory and a small win for the P16s Gen 1 on storage speed.
Ports and Connectivity
The port line-up looks similar at first glance. Both have two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports (one always on for charging phones), an HDMI port and a headphone and microphone jack. On closer inspection, the changes are small but practical.
What the P16s Gen 1 Adds
- Gigabit Ethernet on every model, where the P15s Gen 2 makes it optional.
- Wi-Fi 6E on every model. The P15s Gen 2 offers Wi-Fi 6E only as the AX210 option.
- DisplayPort 2.0 support on the Thunderbolt ports, against DisplayPort 1.4 on the P15s Gen 2.
What the P15s Gen 2 Keeps
- A built-in microSD card reader. The P16s Gen 1 has no card reader at all.
- An optional side docking connector for older ThinkPad docks. The P16s Gen 1 docks through Thunderbolt or USB-C only.
Our take: photographers who offload cards directly will miss the reader on the P16s Gen 1. Everyone else gains Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E as standard.
Webcam, Audio and Security
The P15s Gen 2 tops out at a 720p webcam. The P16s Gen 1 offers 720p or 1080p, plus an optional infrared camera for Windows Hello face login. Both have a physical privacy shutter, a dual-array microphone and stereo Dolby Audio speakers. If you spend half your day on video calls, the 1080p option is a genuine upgrade.
Meanwhile, security hardware matches on paper: discrete TPM 2.0, optional smart card reader, a Kensington lock slot and a self-healing BIOS. The only visible change is the fingerprint reader. It sits on the palm rest on the P15s Gen 2 and moves into the power button on the P16s Gen 1.
Battery and Charging
The base battery shrinks from 57Wh on the P15s Gen 2 to 52.5Wh on the P16s Gen 1, which looks like a step backwards. The P16s Gen 1 also offers an 86Wh battery with a 135W charger, which is a much bigger pack than anything on the P15s Gen 2.
Lenovo rates the P15s Gen 2 at 9.3 hours on the MobileMark 2018 test and 15.8 hours on JEITA 2.0. Both are lab figures, and real use will be lower. Both laptops support Rapid Charge, which takes the battery to 80% in about an hour. In addition, chargers are USB-C on both, so a good 65W USB-C charger works with either machine in a pinch.
Our take: buy the 86Wh configuration of the P16s Gen 1 if battery life matters. The 52.5Wh base model holds less charge than the P15s Gen 2, so it has no battery advantage.
Design, Size and Weight
Dimensions and Weight
The P16s Gen 1 has the bigger screen but not the bigger body. It measures 362 x 255.5 x 20.5 mm against 365.8 x 248 x 19.1 mm for the P15s Gen 2, so it is slightly deeper and 1.4 mm thicker. Weight drops, too. The P16s Gen 1 starts at 1.677 kg for the black model and 1.683 kg for the grey, while the P15s Gen 2 starts at 1.75 kg, or 1.783 kg for the aluminium version. Configurations with bigger batteries and discrete graphics weigh more, so check the exact model.
Build and Materials
Materials changed as well. On the P16s Gen 1, the grey model has an aluminium lid and the black model uses a glass-fibre and carbon-fibre reinforced polycarbonate lid. The P15s Gen 2 comes in a polycarbonate and ABS version or an aluminium version, with a magnesium alloy keyboard cover. Both pass MIL-STD-810H durability tests and come in Black or Storm Grey.
Our take: a small win for the P16s Gen 1, since a bigger screen in a lighter body is hard to argue with.
Which One Is Best for You?
For Office and Home Working
Either laptop does the job. The P15s Gen 2 has plenty of power for documents, video calls and web apps, and it is the cheaper option on the used market. Choose the P16s Gen 1 if you want the taller screen, the 1080p webcam and Wi-Fi 6E.
For CAD, Engineering and Development
Pick the P16s Gen 1. The 12-core processor and the T550 graphics make a real difference on heavy workloads, and the faster storage helps with large project files.
For Photographers and Colour-Critical Work
Pick the P15s Gen 2 with the UHD screen if you need 100% Adobe RGB. However, remember that the P16s Gen 1 has no card reader, so budget for a USB-C one if you choose it.
For Travel and Battery Life
Pick the P16s Gen 1 with the 86Wh battery, and carry the 135W charger that comes with it. The base model gives you no advantage here.
For Buyers on a Tight Budget
Pick the P15s Gen 2. It does less than the P16s Gen 1, but it is the older model, so it usually costs less second-hand, and it still runs Windows 11.
Conclusion
The ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 is a proper successor to the P15s Gen 2. You get up to three times the processor cores, a faster Nvidia chip, quicker storage, a better webcam option, built-in Ethernet and a bigger screen, all in a body that weighs less. The price of that progress is small: no card reader, no side docking connector and no 4K screen option.
In short, buy the P16s Gen 1 if you want the stronger machine. Buy the P15s Gen 2 if you need a microSD reader, an Adobe RGB screen or the lowest price. Both are discontinued, so look at the full ThinkPad range on Lenovo UK if you would rather buy new, and check the exact configuration before you buy used, especially the memory modules, the screen panel and the battery size.
Keep Reading
If you are still deciding between ThinkPad families, our ThinkPad series guide explains which line suits which buyer. If you are weighing up the older generation, read how the P15s Gen 1 and P15s Gen 2 compare.
Using one of these laptops? Tell us how it holds up in the comments.
Questions People Ask
Is the ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 the Replacement for the P15s Gen 2?
Yes. The P15s Gen 2 was the last P15s, and Lenovo moved to a 16-inch design with the P16s Gen 1 in 2022. It sits in the same slim mobile workstation slot.
Is the P16s Gen 1 Faster Than the P15s Gen 2?
Yes, in multi-threaded work. It has up to 14 cores against four, and its Nvidia T550 has a higher power limit than the T500. Peak single-core boost speed is the same 4.8 GHz on both top models.
Can You Upgrade the RAM in the P15s Gen 2 and P16s Gen 1?
Partly. Both have one soldered memory module and one SO-DIMM slot, so you can replace or add the SO-DIMM stick, up to 32GB, but not the soldered part. The maximum is 48GB on both.
Which Has the Better Screen?
It depends on the job. The P15s Gen 2 UHD panel is brighter at 600 nits and covers 100% Adobe RGB. The P16s Gen 1 has a taller 16:10 shape, sharper-than-Full-HD WQXGA resolution and more sRGB-accurate options at lower resolutions.
Do Both Laptops Have Thunderbolt 4?
Yes. Both have two Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports that carry data, charge the laptop and drive external monitors. Lenovo lists DisplayPort 2.0 on the P16s Gen 1 and DisplayPort 1.4 on the P15s Gen 2.
Which Laptop Has the Better Battery?
The P16s Gen 1, but only if you choose the 86Wh configuration. The standard P16s Gen 1 battery is 52.5Wh, which is smaller than the 57Wh battery in the P15s Gen 2.
Is the P16s Gen 1 Lighter Than the P15s Gen 2?
Yes, by Lenovo’s figures. The P16s Gen 1 starts at 1.677 kg (black) or 1.683 kg (grey), while the P15s Gen 2 starts at 1.75 kg, or 1.783 kg in aluminium. Heavier configurations of both exist.
Does the P16s Gen 1 Have an SD Card Reader?
No. The P15s Gen 2 has a microSD reader, but the P16s Gen 1 has no built-in card reader, so you need a USB-C or USB-A adapter.
Is There an AMD Version of the P16s Gen 1?
Yes. Lenovo also sold the P16s Gen 1 with AMD Ryzen 6000 PRO processors. This comparison covers the Intel version, which is the closest match to the Intel-only P15s Gen 2. The AMD model uses soldered memory that you cannot upgrade, so check which version you are buying.
Can the P15s Gen 2 and P16s Gen 1 Run Windows 11?
Yes. Lenovo lists Windows 11 Pro and Home as preload options for both laptops, and Windows 10 downgrade options as well.
Are They Good for Gaming?
Not really. Both are built as workstations, and the Nvidia T500 and T550 are professional chips tuned for CAD and creative software. The T550 is stronger on paper, so light gaming works, but a laptop with a GeForce chip suits gaming far better.
