LG’s 2026 Gram laptops look to dethrone the MacBook Air with this new build material

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

• LG has unveiled the Gram Pro 17 and Gram Pro 16, two models with a strong emphasis on portability.
• Thanks to a new material called Aerominum, the laptops are expected to be lighter than their predecessors.
• Both models are shaping up to be some of the best travel-friendly laptops in 2026, although exact pricing remains unknown.

At CES 2026, LG unveiled its upcoming pair of ultra-portable laptops, led by the LG Gram Pro 17 and the slightly smaller LG Gram Pro 16. Not much is known about these devices at the time of this writing, but what we do know paints an interesting picture.

Also: CES 2026 live updates: Latest news on TVs, smart glasses, phones, and more we've seen so far

The most notable change is that these laptops will be made from “ultra-light Aerominum”, which the company claims to have developed in-house. LG states the material reduces overall weight while improving structural durability, making both models well-suited for travel. It also claims Aerominum offers better scratch resistance and a sleek finish, blending its toughness with a refined design.

LG hasn't shared the exact specifications yet, so we cannot confirm the dimensions for either laptop. However, we can examine the current model to gain an idea.

The 2025 LG Gram Pro 17 measures 14.9 x 10.4 x 0.57 inches and weighs 3.26 pounds. Because of the new Aerominum material, it's reasonable to expect similar dimensions for the 2026 model, with the weight dropping closer to (or even below) three pounds. 

LG also claims that the new Gram Pro 17 will be “the world's lightest 17-inch RTX laptop,” with “RTX” in the name referring to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 GPU.

That kind of power in a thin chassis raises concerns over heat. Powerful, ultra-thin laptops tend to heat up quickly, so we're hoping LG installs a more than capable cooling system.

Also: 35+ best products we tested in 2025: Expert picks for phones, TVs, AI, and more

The 16-inch Gram Pro is likely to see similar refinements. The 2025 LG gram Pro 16 measures 14.1 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches and weighs just 2.73 pounds. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2026 model weighs in at 2.5 pounds. Other notable features for the 2026 pair include Intel Core Ultra processors, an upgraded AI assistant, and support for LG Link for seamless file sharing, screen monitor, and content transfer.

LG hasn't announced a launch date or pricing for either laptop yet. Both models are shaping up to be solid ultra-portable options for work and play. If you're considering purchasing one in the future but aren't sure which model to choose, we recommend the 16-inch Gram Pro for its display. It features a WQXGA+ (2,880 x 1,800 pixels) OLED panel, whereas the 17-inch model utilizes a WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) LCD. Both are great, but the OLED screen will have the better visual output.