"With an Intel Core i9-8950HK CPU, 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB Intel M.2 PCIe SSD, our configuration of the Aero 15 X9 is a strong productivity machine. You'll have no issue with web browsing or even some basic video or photo editing."
I'm not sure what you think video and photo editing requires, but you can do much more than basic work with this laptop's specs. Additionally, in the battery life tests if you tested last years model with an FHD screen instead of 4K then that would be the biggest difference in battery life. A new processor and GPU are not going to drop battery life by half, a 4K screen will.