Dell Brings Back the XPS 14 and XPS 16 Better than Ever
January 6, 2026
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XPS is Back
Summary
Once considered the gold standard for premium Windows laptops, XPS had quietly lost its way in recent years, but Dell is clearly trying to return to its roots.
Table of contents:
At a recent press event, Dell acknowledged past missteps and committed to refocusing on what originally made XPS successful: premium build quality, thoughtful design, and a refined user experience. The XPS name is on the lid, the design has been reworked, and many long-requested changes have finally arrived.
A Refined, Lighter Design
Both the XPS 14 and XPS 16 feature a more modern, boxier chassis that feels cleaner and more purposeful than last year’s Dell Premium models. Despite the sharper look, weight has gone down significantly. The XPS 14 weighs around 3 pounds, while the XPS 16 comes in at 3.7 pounds, making it one of the most compact and lightweight 16-inch laptops available.
The laptops are available in Graphite at launch, with a lighter Shimmer color coming later this year.
Display Options Focused on Efficiency
Dell is offering two display options across both models:
- A 1920×1200 IPS panel aimed at maximizing battery life
- A high-resolution Tandem OLED display with touch support
Both displays support variable refresh rates up to 120Hz, dynamically lowering refresh when viewing static content to conserve power. This is a feature long common on smartphones, and it’s good to see Dell bringing it more seriously into the laptop space.
Intel Panther Lake Performance
Under the hood, the new XPS laptops are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) processors. Buyers can choose between Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 chips for everyday productivity, or higher-end Core Ultra X7 or X9 H chips for more demanding workloads like coding, creative work, or light gaming.
Dell has deliberately limited sustained power draw to prioritize thermals, noise, and battery life, focusing on efficiency rather than raw peak performance. The result is a quieter, cooler laptop designed for consistent day-to-day use rather than benchmark chasing.
Improved Input, Audio, and Webcam
Dell has addressed several common complaints from previous models:
- The physical function row is back
- The haptic trackpad now has a physical edge you can see and feel
- The keyboard remains shallow but comfortable in practice
Both laptops feature a 4K webcam with Windows Hello, and the speaker system is a standout. With dual front-facing speakers and additional woofers, audio quality is loud, clear, and surprisingly competitive with the MacBook Pro.
Ports and Connectivity
Port selection is minimal but modern, with three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. Charging is supported from either side, and Wi-Fi 7 is included. Storage options go up to PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, depending on configuration.
No Dedicated GPU — For Now
There’s no dedicated GPU option in the XPS 14 or 16 at launch. Dell has stated that additional XPS models are coming and acknowledged demand for a creator-focused configuration with discrete graphics and expanded I/O.
The Big Picture
The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 are shaping up to be compelling options for users who want a MacBook-like experience in a Windows laptop, with premium build quality, excellent displays, strong speakers, and a renewed focus on usability. What a great start to CES 2026!