Last year, Dell almost gave up its top spot in the premium Windows laptop market. It planned to discontinue the XPS brand but quickly realized the mistake. They have now revamped the XPS line for 2026, unveiling a beautiful redesign with better performance and sleek builds.
The XPS 16 is now lighter, weighing just 3.65 pounds, almost a full pound less than its predecessor. This makes it feel more like a 15-inch MacBook Air. The new laptop is also thinner at about 0.6 inches, making it easy to carry around. You really have to hold it to appreciate its sleek design.
Design and Display
Dell kept the premium materials—glass and aluminum—while making significant improvements. The XPS 16 features a stunning optional 3.2K OLED display. It offers vibrant colors and a variable refresh rate from 20 to 120Hz, depending on what’s showing on the screen. A recent report found that laptops with OLED displays can significantly improve user experience, particularly for photo and video editing.
However, some users have pointed out a missing feature: an SD card reader. This would be particularly useful for photographers and videographers who prefer to transfer media easily.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard has also been redesigned. Dell replaced the capacitive function keys with regular keys, which many users find more comfortable. However, some critics note that the keyboard lacks anti-ghosting technology. This means pressing multiple keys quickly can lead to errors, especially during intensive tasks. Dell claims newer units have addressed this issue.
Performance
The XPS 16 runs on Intel’s latest Series 3 Core Ultra chips, making it highly efficient for productivity tasks. During testing, it managed 62 fps in the game “Cyberpunk 2077” at 1080p on high settings, which is impressive for a laptop without dedicated graphics.
Battery Life
The laptop boasts a robust 99.5Whr battery, lasting nearly 12 hours on PCMark 10’s benchmark. This is more than an hour longer than its smaller sibling, the XPS 14. Users can go a day without needing to charge it, making it perfect for those on the move.
Conclusion
Dell’s decision to keep the XPS name was a wise one. The XPS 16 showcases a brilliant design, strong performance, and excellent battery life; it’s a worthy successor to a legendary brand. While the price tag of around $2,349 may seem steep, discounts can bring it down to a more appealing $1,900.
As Dell continues to evolve its offerings, we might see the release of a version equipped with a dedicated GPU later this year. But for now, the XPS 16 stands out as a premium ultraportable laptop, reclaiming its place at the top of the market.
For more information on Dell’s latest laptop technologies, see Dell’s official site.
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XPS, Sam Rutherford, Dell, Dell Precision
